USMEF News Release - USMEF "Woman-To-Woman" Campaign In Japan Moves...
USMEF News Release - USMEF "Woman-To-Woman" Campaign In Japan Moves In New Direction
Mexico
Quotas Reached On Last Two Pork Items
Mexico announced yesterday that the volume of pork products (HS 0203.22.01 and 0203.29.99) imported from the United States had exceeded the tariff rate quota (TRQ) agreed to under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). As a result, the tariff paid on imports of these items will increase to 20 percent and will remain in effect through December 31, 2002.
According to USDA export statistics, U.S. pork exports (including variety meats) to Mexico in the first five months of 2002 are 11 percent higher in volume (89,008) and 6 percent lower in value ($108.4 million) compared to a year ago. Because of the high pace of U.S. pork exports to Mexico, all the pork TRQs have been filled and the higher tariff will be charged for the remainder of the year.
On January 1, 2003, the TRQs are eliminated and tariffs drop to zero.
Tariff No.
Description
2002 Quota MT
In-Quota Duty
Above-Quota Duty
0203.22.01
Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, bone-in
19,254.9
2 Percent
20 Percent
0210.12.01
All others
4,180.3
2 Percent
20 Percent
New Mexican Inspection Points Under Construction
New inspection facilities are at last being constructed in Mexico to take over from north-of-the-border sites which are being eliminated under a new Mexican law. Only one inspection facility is operating on the Mexican side of the border — in Colombia, Nuevo Laredo, but two other sites are being developed in the same vicinity, and a total of five are planned. USMEF-Mexico visited one of the two under development, which is situated about 12 miles from Laredo. The site is almost operational. It has 23 doors, can handle 200-250 truck inspections a day and should come into operation before the end of August.
Sources told USMEF one new inspection point will be built at Reynosa, a busy crossing site for meat, two in Ciudad Juarez and one in Mexicali.
The inspection sites must be built on asphalt or concrete, have at least two access doors on a refrigerated transfer dock, refrigeration and freezer rooms and space for sample taking. The new sites will obtain a 5-year authorization from the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA).
The new Animal Health Law was published June 12 in the Mexican Government’s Daily Register and it is to be fully implemented by October 12. Current rules and regulations stay in effect until then.