Mexico's Washington ag minister reassigned to Ottawa
Mexico's Washington ag minister reassigned to Ottawa
Enrique Lobo, who was previously minister of agriculture in the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, DC, has been reassigned to the agricultural office of the Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa, ON, where he will be minister of agricultural affairs.
Froylan Gracia, who was Mr. Lobo's second in command in the Washington agricultural office, has temporarily been appointed to head that office until Mexican Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Mayorga names a new permanent replacement. Mr. Mayorga was named secretary of agriculture last fall when Secretary Javier Usabiaga resigned to run for the governorship of the state of Guanajuato.
Mr. Gracia told The Produce News that Mr. Lobo's appointment in Ottowa would take effect Thursday, Jan. 19, although other embassy sources said that he was traveling and was not expected to be in the Ottowa office until Feb. 1.
Not much is expected to change in the Washington office, according to Mr. Gracia. "All of the people who are here are the same as they have been for several years." Most of the activities and programs in which the office was involved under Mr. Usabiaga will continue as they were under Mr. Mayoraga, he said, adding that "the expertise" to run those programs "remains here."
Specifically, the promotional programs for Mexican-grown fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products marketed in North America will continue, he said. Those programs are run by the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture's marketing branch, ASERCA, in Mexico City, with the ministry's Washington office in a supporting role. The Washington office will continue "to provide the same services as always in support of trade and export promotions," Mr. Gracia said.
Mr. Gracia, who was born in Mexico City, has been with Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture for close to 12 years as a trade-negotiating specialist. He has been at the embassy in Washington for the last six years.
Froylan Gracia, who was Mr. Lobo's second in command in the Washington agricultural office, has temporarily been appointed to head that office until Mexican Secretary of Agriculture Francisco Mayorga names a new permanent replacement. Mr. Mayorga was named secretary of agriculture last fall when Secretary Javier Usabiaga resigned to run for the governorship of the state of Guanajuato.
Mr. Gracia told The Produce News that Mr. Lobo's appointment in Ottowa would take effect Thursday, Jan. 19, although other embassy sources said that he was traveling and was not expected to be in the Ottowa office until Feb. 1.
Not much is expected to change in the Washington office, according to Mr. Gracia. "All of the people who are here are the same as they have been for several years." Most of the activities and programs in which the office was involved under Mr. Usabiaga will continue as they were under Mr. Mayoraga, he said, adding that "the expertise" to run those programs "remains here."
Specifically, the promotional programs for Mexican-grown fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products marketed in North America will continue, he said. Those programs are run by the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture's marketing branch, ASERCA, in Mexico City, with the ministry's Washington office in a supporting role. The Washington office will continue "to provide the same services as always in support of trade and export promotions," Mr. Gracia said.
Mr. Gracia, who was born in Mexico City, has been with Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture for close to 12 years as a trade-negotiating specialist. He has been at the embassy in Washington for the last six years.