Mexico's next move

Luis of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group posts this story from Mexico about what Sinaloa tomato producers in Mexico are considering in view of the "commercial problem" in the U.S. market. It certainly sounds as if new, mandatory self-imposed quality/food safety regulations are coming in Mexico. What follows are are a few graphs from the post, representing another example of the value of the discussion group and the valuable work of some of its most faithful contributors. To read the full post, sign up with the discussion group:

New Tomato Regulations Proposed
Claudia Beltrán 14-06-2008
http://www.noroeste.com.mx/publicaciones.php?id=384790&id_seccion=10

The Mexican authorities must take advantage of the commercial problem that is being experienced with tomatoes in the United States to formulate regulation that requires all producers to comply with minimum quality rules for tomatoes and the rest of the vegetables.

Sergio Esquer Peiro, grower and president of the Council for the Economic Development of the State of Sinaloa, emphasized that it is important for Mexican agricultural authorities to formulate tomato specific norms to regulate the food safety parameters of this product.
It is urgent, he declared, to elaborate these norms and to make very clear that nobody is being discriminated. However, any packer that handles a certain amount of production or works certain acreage must comply with these safety rules.