The United States lifts restrictions on imports of Mexican tomatoes due to rugose virus

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) reported that after four years of technical arguments with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the US government has lifted restrictions related to the tomato rugose virus (ToBRFV). for the import of fresh Mexican tomatoes.

Thus, as of June 17, Mexican producers who export fruit to the United States do not need to include an inspection certificate in their shipments, which facilitates and expedites border crossings.

The National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (Senasica) indicated that due to the analysis of the information carried out by American phytosanitary specialists, the USDA issued Federal Order DA-2024-21, which establishes regulation only for imports. of tomato and pepper propagative material, including seeds, and excludes fresh product.

It should be remembered that on June 3, 2020, the USDA updated the phytosanitary requirements for the importation of ToBRFV hosts and established that Mexican producers must accompany their shipments with a certificate indicating that their product was inspected and does not present symptoms of the rugosa virus. of the tomato.

Additionally, this certificate had to include the date of inspection, name, title and signature of the person issuing the inspection certificate, as well as the names and addresses of the producer and packer.

Since the implementation of the Federal Order by the United States, Senasica began conversations with the health authority to request the reconsideration of the sanitary measures, arguing that fresh fruit is not a means of dissemination of ToBRFV, since the Intended use is fresh consumption and not reproduction.

Fruits with symptoms of tomato rugose disease virus do not represent any risk for human consumption nor do they reduce the value of the crop.

The tomato is the most important vegetable at national and international level, due to its wide consumption, the area harvested and the economic value of production.

The tomato industry generates more than 400 thousand direct jobs and one million indirect jobs in our country. With a production of more than three million 461 thousand 766 tons, Mexico is the eighth largest producer of tomatoes in the world. The main producing states are Sinaloa, San Luis Potosí, Michoacán, Jalisco, Baja California Sur and Zacatecas.

In addition to supplying the domestic market, Mexican producers export more than 1.8 million tons of tomatoes to different destinations, including the United States, Canada, Japan, Costa Rica, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil.