Mexican avocado exporters group sues CDFA
Mexican avocado exporters group sues CDFA
An association of avocado growers in Mexico best known by its acronym APEAM has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Food & Agriculture, claiming that the department impeded the marketing of Mexican avocados in California. The suit was filed Jan. 11 in Sacramento County Superior Court.
APEAM, whose full name is the Asociaci?n de Productores y Empacadores de Aguacate del Estado de Michoac?n, "is seeking compensation from CDFA for its actions in violation of federal law that severely damaged the ability of Mexican farmers and packers to market avocados in California," according to a written statement from APEAM dated Tuesday, Jan. 15.
"Many jobs, farmers and investments depend on this trade, and APEAM is responsible to its constituents to fight against any action that it considered to be unfair or illegal for trade. The damage estimate was prepared by a firm that specializes in this area and includes both out-of-pocket expenses due to fumigation and diversion as well as lost profits for reduced demand due to the adverse publicity and disruption of supplies," the statement continued. "The complaint was filed at this time to keep open all alternatives in resolving this issue."
When contacted for comments, Steve Lyle, director of public affairs for CDFA, responded in writing that "we have not been served with a lawsuit from APEAM yet and, at this point, would have nothing further to add."
According to a brief article Jan. 15 in the Sacramento Business Journal, "the suit alleges California officials illegally inspected and turned around trucks transporting avocados from Mexico, costing the group $4 million in profits."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed California avocados access to the California market for the first time in nearly 90 years beginning Feb. 1, 2007, but the CDFA list of excludable pests differed in certain respects from the USDA list. The CDFA eventually reversed its position after further risk assessment analysis.
APEAM, whose full name is the Asociaci?n de Productores y Empacadores de Aguacate del Estado de Michoac?n, "is seeking compensation from CDFA for its actions in violation of federal law that severely damaged the ability of Mexican farmers and packers to market avocados in California," according to a written statement from APEAM dated Tuesday, Jan. 15.
"Many jobs, farmers and investments depend on this trade, and APEAM is responsible to its constituents to fight against any action that it considered to be unfair or illegal for trade. The damage estimate was prepared by a firm that specializes in this area and includes both out-of-pocket expenses due to fumigation and diversion as well as lost profits for reduced demand due to the adverse publicity and disruption of supplies," the statement continued. "The complaint was filed at this time to keep open all alternatives in resolving this issue."
When contacted for comments, Steve Lyle, director of public affairs for CDFA, responded in writing that "we have not been served with a lawsuit from APEAM yet and, at this point, would have nothing further to add."
According to a brief article Jan. 15 in the Sacramento Business Journal, "the suit alleges California officials illegally inspected and turned around trucks transporting avocados from Mexico, costing the group $4 million in profits."
The U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed California avocados access to the California market for the first time in nearly 90 years beginning Feb. 1, 2007, but the CDFA list of excludable pests differed in certain respects from the USDA list. The CDFA eventually reversed its position after further risk assessment analysis.
