Agribusiness Update for Thursday 06/12/14

U.S. Potato exports to Mexico have stopped in response to a lawsuit by the Mexican Potato Growers Association against the Mexican government seeking to block a new rule allowing U.S. potato exports to all parts of Mexico. Mexico closed all border crossings to potato exports - so USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service stopped issuing phytosanitary certificates. The National Potato Council and U.S. Potato Board confirmed the border closing on Monday - the same day the lawsuit was filed. Officials say it's no surprise the implementation of this rule is facing challenges - and the value of annual fresh potato exports from the U.S. to Mexico could jump from 30-million to 100-million dollars.

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has announced it will proceed with its salmonella verification sampling program. The program was proposed last August - and after reviewing comments - FSIS has determined it will move forward with the program without any changes. FSIS will discontinue salmonella sampling set procedures in ground beef products on June 29th - except in establishments with results that exceeded the standard for salmonella in its most recently completed set.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.