6-16 FB Potatoes to Mexico

 Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson joined colleagues is sending a letter to Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa encouraging him to loosen trade restrictions on U.S. potatoes.  Calderon is currently visiting Washington, DC, and the letter was hand-delivered today during a meeting with lawmakers.

Mexico currently limits shipments of U.S. potatoes to areas within 26 kilometers of the border.  The Mexican government claims that these restrictions are necessary to ensure that pests from U.S. potatoes are not spread to Mexican crops, but U.S. potato producers exporting to Mexico are subject to the same requirements to manage risks of diseases and pests as domestic producers who ship their products throughout Mexico.  The letter calls on the Mexican government to provide the same treatment for U.S. potato imports that domestic potatoes get. Here’s Congressman Simpson’s spokesperson, Nikki Watts: “Congressman Simpson believes that allowing the potato growers full access to Mexico would have a positive impact on our Idaho potato industry. He’s very hopeful that Mexico will recognize that reducing these trade barriers will prove beneficial to both countries.