Agri News Mexico – March 2013

Agri News Mexico

Agri News Mexico Last March 8, Netherlands Ambassador Hogewoning met with Deputy Minister of Food and Competitiveness of the Ministry of Agriculture (Sagarpa), Ricardo Aguilar Castillo, together with their teams, and with Director General of the agricultural fund FOCIR, Javier Delgado.

Mexico’s Deputy Minister of Food and Competitiveness, Ricardo Aguilar Castillo (second from left to right, front) and Netherlands Ambassador Hogewoning (third, left to right) meet to discuss Mexico – NL collaboration in the agri food sector

Welcome to Agri News Mexico, the March 2013 edition, with agricultural news of Mexico and the agricultural office of the Netherlands Embassy in Mexico. Please feel free to send us relevant news on your operations in Mexico you may wish for us to include in this publication in the months to come. Note: Upon demand, Agri News Mexico will continue as a monthly edition.

Agri News Mexico is a monthly bulletin prepared by the agricultural office of the Netherlands Embassy in Mexico. It is a compilation and translation of the most relevant news in the Mexican agricultural sector. This agricultural office is not responsible for the truthfulness of the information presented here, but we can always offer the list of information sources upon request.

Development of the agricultural sector requires mutual collaboration, and both countries acknowledge this. The result has been an active role of the Netherlands to enhance horticultural production using the concept of “golden circle”: the synergies created by governmental, business and knowledge institutes. This is now also a reality in Mexico. Meanwhile, the Netherlands is active in the states of Aguascalientes, where the development of the Agrosfera cluster is already in the phase of the master study by Wageningen University. The state of Nayarit is being evaluated and the state of Chiapas, upon request of the Federal Government, is about to begin. Next to this, the MexiCultura group and DLG have already evaluated its efforts together with the Mexican side of the “golden circle” in the horticultural sector in the states of Querétaro, Sinaloa and Jalisco. The next meetings will take place in the month of July. The Dutch side was also invited by the Sagarpa officials to deliver a proposal for a study of the current and future agro logistical system. The outcome of the meeting was widely published in Mexican papers and on social media. On the side of market access, we are about to have the visit of the Netherlands experts in animal health and later on experts in plant health, to participate in the Mexico – Netherlands Animal Health and Plant Health market access meetings in mid-April and beginning May, respectively. These meetings are aimed at reaching consensus regarding import conditions of different kinds of animal and plant products that have potential in the Mexican market, such as: live horses, genetic material and edible products. =================================

E-mail: [email protected] Tel. +52 55 11 05 65 58 (NEW NUMBER) Enjoy your reading! Editor: Leonora Hammer Coordinator: Gabrielle Nuytens-Vaarkamp 1 Volume 7 | number 13 | March 2013 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Office of the Agricultural Counselor Mexico - Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands -

Agri News Mexico – March 2013

Agri News Mexico1

- accelerate a constructive communication with each of the chambers (senators and deputies) to support productivity and competitiveness of the agri food sector.

MARKETS

Minister Martínez y Martínez announced three state fora and four sectorial working groups to assist the agri food proposals for a National Development Plan.

Agricultural growth in 20122 Agriculture registers strong 2012 growth: According to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute the primary sector, which also includes forestry and fisheries, grew by 6.7 percent, well ahead of the growth registered by the total Mexican economy of 3.9 percent. It is important, however, to put the 6.7 percent growth in context. 2012’s strong growth come after a contraction of 2.6 percent in 2011 due to the frost damage to the winter crop cycle, and the poor weather for the largely rainfed second crop cycle. Comparing 2012 to the more “normal” 2010, the primary sector growth was 3.9 percent. This is well ahead of the average 1.6 percent growth during the first decade of this century. With the 2012 growth the primary sector share of Mexico’s GDP is now 3.4 percent. Presently, the outlook is acceptable for 2013. Plantings for the winter crop cycle are running 1.8 percent ahead of last year, largely due to the increase in corn and wheat planting by 12.4 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively. Tomato plantings, by way of contrast, are off, due to the concerns about the suspension of the tomato trade accord between Mexico and the U.S.

To transform the rural sector The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) stated before the agricultural commission in the Senate that in order to start the transformation of the rural sector, it is necessary to work on 8 main pillars, but specially: - organizational and operational re-engineering of the Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA), so that its structure be in accordance to the current risks and phenomena like climatic change and changes in the markets and the health situation. - good relation with the legislative power

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Please contact: e-mail: [email protected] for more detail of this information. 2 Source: “Agribusiness World this Week”, by Kenneth Shwedel. Edition: March 4-8 , 2013.

Another important effort will be to restructure the programs of the Ministry, among them the “Procampo”, because many of them are already worn out, and have lost effectiveness. Subsidies will not be given anymore but instead incentives will be delivered. He also mentioned that Mexico still concentrates its trade in the United States market, and diversification is necessary, as well as local production. There is a need to update the vision of the primary sector, he said, towards the agri food productivity. This vision goes together with the presidential launch of the National Crusade Against Hunger.

Important priorities for agriculture, 20133 Apart from its ongoing agricultural programs, which will be duly revised and when necessary, changed or substituted, the Ministry of Agriculture has considered special priority actions. The Ministry has planned special attention to states that suffered the greatest damage from the severe drought in the past two years through the development of preventive measures against adverse weather and allocate aid to increase the productive capacity of these regions. Another sector of the industry that could see progress in 2013 is biotechnology. As explained by Ministry representatives research and biotechnology offer viable alternatives that could address some challenges faced by many producers today, especially with regard to the supply of agricultural products for a growing population, and stresses that this new strategy should be a top priority for the country in the near future. Among the elements of this new plan includes the recovery of soil fertility, ensure efficient use of water, and a decrease in the use of pesticides and herbicides, all this in order to increase yield and quality, and therefore offer better quality of life for the population. 3

Source: Productores de Hortalizas, Meister Media Worldwide

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

Moreover, at the end of November 2012, the Ministry created the National Advisory Committee for Standardization of Agrifood, to reduce the amount of time devoted to issue standards on food safety and quality. In the coming years, the new organization hopes to strengthen the regulatory framework of the sector and provide more certainty to the process of developing standards to which the government must abide, which will benefit consumers and increase competition in markets in domestic and export.

HORTICULTURE New Director General of the Mexican Association of Protected Agriculture (AMHPAC) With the vision to continue bringing together producers and edge of Mexico in search of the market order, Mr. Alfredo Diaz Belmontes joins the team as the new Director General AMHPAC. Belmontes Diaz, who since February 2013 serves as operational team leader of the Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture, has extensive experience in the private and public sector, it will use to implement new strategies in favor of Mexican industry. Since 1983 Diaz Belmontes has held positions in the public sector highlighting its role in Banrural, SNC Banobras various positions in addition to serving as Northwest Regional Director of Support Services for Agricultural Marketing (Aserca / Sagarpa) and recently left the Department of Federal Social Development in the State of Sinaloa (SEDESOL), where he served as State Delegate, to actually take AMHPAC DG. Apart from 2002 to date is a partner, co-founder and CEO of Real Estate The Farms, SA de CV Also from 2001 to 2005 he was Director and co-founder of the consulting firm Guajardo Diaz y Asociados, SC, is also involved in the family business agribusiness.

Enza Zaden’s New Experimental Station in the state of Sinaloa4 From 12 to 15 February, Enza Zaden Mexico had the pleasure of serving over 150 people from around the country and even abroad. These visits were coordinated by the commercial and research teams based in the new experimental station in Culiacan, state of Sinaloa. The company had guided tours for crops of interest: - tomatoes: There were commercial materials and new advances in genetics Enza Zaden for domestic and export markets. - peppers: Great interest of the participants to learn Enza Zaden products in the categories of green, yellow, orange and red. - cucumbers: the company’s programs LET, Slicer, Persians and Pickle were very talked about and praised by attendees. Enza Zaden offers different kinds of seeds in the Mexican market, namely for peppers, chili peppers, cucumbers, onions, tomato and lettuce, for greenhouse and open areas. It also has its Vitalis line of organic seeds.

Meeting with the new President of the Mexican Association of Greenhouse Builders Last March 14, the Agricultural Counselor of the Netherlands Embassy and her team met with the new President of the Mexican Association of Greenhouse Builders, Mr. Francisco Chaín. The Mexican Association of Builders of Greenhouses (AMCI) appointed new President for the period 20132014 in the person of Francisco Chaín of Invermex company during its General Assembly of Members held on November 7 during the Guanajuato Agrifood Expo in 2012. According to the press, the evaluation of the presidentelect on the previous administration of AMCI is very favorable, stating that "sometimes two years is not enough. No time to do so much scope for the sector needs. "Chain believes that one of the most important and representative of the administration is a given value and analyzed the Mexican Standard for Design and Construction of Greenhouses (NMX-E- CNCP-2552008), which will continue to monitor and promote heavily in the next management period.

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Source: Enza Zaden Mexico

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

During the meeting with Mr. Chaín, we discussed the intention to maintain close contact between the Dutch companies and AMCI. Exchange of experiences could be to the benefit of both Dutch and Mexican companies. Moreover, AMCI is interested to meet with the equivalent association in the Netherlands, AVAG. It is possible that we will be able to arrange meetings between AMCI and the representative of AVAG in the near future.

Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Mexico City Supply Center5 The Mexico City Supply Center or Central de Abasto as called in Spanish and the Ministry of Agriculture signed a collaboration agreement. The holder of the SAGARPA, Enrique Martinez y Martinez, and the CEO of the Trust for the Construction and Operation of the Central de Abasto in Mexico City (FICEDA), Julio Cesar Serna, signed a cooperation agreement, through which will ensure the supply and distribution of agricultural and fishery products quality at fair prices. Through this collaboration agreement, the Central de Abasto Federal District will become an obligatory reference pricing nationwide, which will help to combat speculation in some products on the market. Through this agreement, SAGARPA and the Trust for the Construction and Operation of the Central de Abasto in Mexico City (CEDA), monitor, evaluate and discuss the issues of supply and marketing of food products and, in its action, important part to inform and direct the behavior of prices in their proper perspective, according to the availability of products. The main objective is to develop various actions to achieve food security and ensure better and healthier food prices and implement a comprehensive price reliable agricultural and fishery products and the installation of a business office in SAGARPA Central de Abasto Federal District (CEDA) to have better coordination on the issue.

In addition, the wrecks that are managed in the Central de Abasto, the world's largest, with 350 hectares reference-serve prices of farm and sea products in other supply centers within the country. It is considered essential that traders, small and medium producers have training, advice and support needed to improve their conditions and at the same time ensure good prices for consumers.

Investments of Agrinos6 Agrinos is a green technology company aimed at improving the productivity and sustainability of modern agriculture. Its products focus on profitable agriculture by providing increased crop productivity, improved efficiency of conventional fertilizer and a reduced environmental footprint. The company, with operations also in Mexico, is planning to invest 12 million dollars to improve yields in food production, informed its Director General, Karl Reiner Fick. Agrinos technology has been used in 10% of Mexico’s arable area, with production of a wide variety of agricultural products, such as maize, corn, beans, sugar, sorghum, rice and other perennials.

Corn7 President of the National Confederation of Corn Producers in Mexico (CNPAMM), said production is complicated because planting corn country will reach 20 million tons, and its surplus increases because consumption is slightly higher at 12 million, while global prices continue to fall without this food imports are less than those of 2012. Data Information System Agrifood Trade notes that in the first two months of the year, imports reached 41 million tons of white corn, 86.4 lower than in the same period last year, when it amounted to 302.5 million tons in 2012.

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Source: Radio Fórmula

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Source: Milenio newspaper, 04-03-13 Source: Milenio newspaper 15-03-13

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

• Continue to Support Program in Slaughter Cattle Trails TIF and Support Infrastructure Construction and Equipment TIF establishments.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION Livestock8 Drought and export of calves, heifers and breeding females to the United States has caused a drop of more than 30 percent of Mexican cattle from 2010. During the 2011-12 cycle standing calf exports to the United States, livestock grew by 12.47 percent over the trade period 2010-2011 according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture.

• Running a concerted policy of trade liberalization with the productive sector, which protects livestock from any health risk.

FOOD

In addition, due to drought in 2011, livestock was reduced by one million 300 thousand heads, 300 000 died from lack of water and one million were taken from the farms to be slaughtered according to the National Confederation of Livestock (CNOG).

Classification and coding of food products

Meanwhile, representatives of the Mexican Association of Ministers of Agricultural Development (AMSDA), said "we are already seeing a negative impact to the farmers in their production costs, if the herds do not recover, is a matter of time before rising costs will reach consumers. "

Challenges in the Livestock sector in Mexico

• Strengthen the program of support for Mexican meat exports, through marketing, promotion and trade missions, as well as animal health protocol development with deficit countries in bovine meat.

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Alvaro Ley, in his article on the meat sector in Mexico, mentions that main challenges that the meat sector is facing nowadays are the following: - Drought and depopulation - Price increase of grains - Free Trade Agreements with countries that have different veterinary status. The national meat sector therefore needs to: • Establish a state policy of restocking of livestock herds, to ensure, as a priority, the supply to the national feedlot.

The Ministry of the Economy (SE) announced amendments to the agreement establishing the classification and coding of some preparations based on dairy products, as well as the addition of other foods such as rooster, chicken or turkey, sausage, meat and cheese. These products, details the Official Journal of the Federation, are subject to regulation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), through the National Health Service, Food Safety and Quality (Senasica). The decree states that the modified tariff codes 1901.90.05 referred to preparations based on dairy products containing milk solids exceeding 50 percent by weight, 2105.00.01 regarding the ice milk or dairy products 3002.10.99 cocoa and other products. It also details that tariffs 1601.00.01 rooster, chicken or turkey (gallopavo), and 1905.90.99 comprising other products except those containing sausages, meat and cheese were added.

• Continue the Traditional Contract Farming Scheme.

Beer10

• Maintain Support Programs Coverages for Sale Cattle, to reduce price fluctuations and provide greater certainty in income to farmers and feeders.

With the commitment to continue growing in the Mexican market, company Cuauhtemoc-Moctezuma of Heineken brewery will introduce new brands in Mexico, of products that are not beer, such as cider.

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Reforma newspaper 11-03-13 Source: www.ganaderia.com.mx. Article in magazine Entorno Ganadero. 9

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Milenio/12/03/2013

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

Meanwhile, President and CEO of CuauhtemocMoctezuma said that with the growth of two percent of the beer industry, the company bet on brand Tecate beer in three years to surpass its rival Corona and become the first in sales. Faced with the presentation of large brewers as global firms, domestic producers prefer to present themselves as a more exclusive alternative with crafted products, said Chairman of the Brewers Association (ACERMEX).

Interest of New Zealand in Mexico11 Through the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), New Zealand seeks to boost economic relationship with Mexico, particularly in the agricultural sector, whose links can grow with the removal of barriers and the harmonization of rules and regulations, said the Ambassador of New Zealand Mexico, Christine Bogle. Bogle found that Mexico's participation in the TPP negotiations is "very important" because, she said, it will contribute to the creation of "XXI century agreement that will boost economic growth and development, promote innovation, benefit our consumers, and support the creation and retention of jobs, rising living standards and reducing poverty in our countries and in the Asia-Pacific. " For his part, President of the CNC, Gerardo Sanchez Garcia, informed the diplomatic activity of Mexico in biofuel production, agricultural technology, food processing and marketing. Mexico currently exports to New Zealand grapes and beer mostly, while it imports dairy products, meat and fruit. 12

Tomato

As of Monday March 4, the new Agreement between Mexican and U.S. authorities was signed. This Agreement includes all Mexican exports of tomato to the United States, while the previous one only included 85 percent.

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The information will allow to have information relative to the extension of crops, tomato varieties and expected production volume. The Minister of the Economy assured that all Mexican tomato producers will be benefitted from this Agreement.

TRADE

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The new text reinforced supervision through a coordinated mechanism between the Ministry of the Economy and the National Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality (SENASICA). Mexican producers will have to present what is called an “Automatic Export Notice” that will have to be validated, previous to export.

Source: 2000 Agro Source: Excelsior/La Jornada newspapers 05-03-13

The Mexican Association of Protected Horticulture (AMHPAC) was very pleased by the results of these negotiations, that will allow for Mexican tomato producers, many of which are greenhouse growers, to continue supplying the United States tomato market.

AMHPAC’s message to tomato exporters13 Having overcome the differences and reconciled the critical aspects of the Agreement, the organizations representing producers AMHPAC, CAADES, Agricultural Council of California, and the UAR CNPH of Sonora, we proceeded to the signing of the agreement that entered into force immediately . From today we will begin to send special letters to producers regarding the new minimum prices, the new form of tagging systems, the legends to be used, and so on. and other aspects of the agreement that must be observed to comply therewith. In a few days the full text of the agreement will be available on the website of the U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as in our www.amhpac.org where they can download the entire document and its annexes. We thank you and all the support we received during this process that lasted almost nine months to finally have an agreement that we hope will bring a new period of stability and certainty in the market. For more information: http://amhpac.org/portal/images/stories/dumping/Nu evoAcuerdodeSuspension.pdf

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Source: AMHPAC 04-03-13

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

Berry Trade14

SUSTAINABILITY

In 2011 the United States imported almost all its strawberries, raspberries and blackberries from Mexico. According to Sagarpa, major production states are Michoacan and Baja California - with the municipality of Los Reyes, Michoacán reported exports of raspberries and blackberries to 90%. But according to the newspaper Cambio de Michoacán, "Tangancícuaro township, has the largest area of technology in the production of strawberries." While the U.S. remains the largest producer of strawberries worldwide, importation of Mexican strawberries continues to grow, with figures from January to July of 2012 almost doubled compared to the previous year. For example, the "Campaign to Promote Mexican Strawberry Consumption" focused on key cities in Texas, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin in the United States, has proven effective. Exceeding the programmed goal of increasing the volume of exports to Texas by 3% in 2010, the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture reports a 20% increase, partly attributed to the success of the program. While staying in the top 10 largest producers of strawberries in the world, Mexico has continued to strive to increase their exports year after year. The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture has invested in marketing programs and support to farmers so that they connect with business opportunities in the U.S., Asia and Europe. As a result, 34 Mexican companies attended the expo Fruit Logistica 2012 in Berlin, Germany, which in turn resulted in sales of about $ 37 million, while in August 2012 over 104 reported million dollars in sales in Hong Kong produced during the event HKTDC Food Expo 2012.

BUSINESS PARTNER SCAN

The Agentschap NL in cooperation with this Agricultural Office is offering the possibility to develop a “business partner scan” that helps find market entry and contact potential agents or distributors and also manufacturing partners. For more information, please contact: http://www.agentschapnl.nl/onderwerp/zakenp artnerscan-vind-uw-zakenpartner-het-buitenland

Mexico’s water situation15 Projections by the National Water Commission show per capita availability falling 6.7 percent by 2030 to 3,815 m3. Mexico is divided into 13 hydraulic districts; of these, in eight districts the pressure on the hydraulic resources is already considered as strong. The worst case is the Mexico City area where water consumption is greater than the natural availability, requiring water to be piped in from afar. Responding to the worsening water availability situation the government, in the context of the World Water Day, identified a series of actions. They plan to construct five aquifers to supply water to the country’s main cities, as well as specifically improving the Cutzamala system that supplies water to the Mexico City area. They are also planning on building desalinization plants. Regarding agriculture, the government says that reflecting the need to increase production, they plan to increase irrigated area by 50,000 hectares. According to the National Water Commission’s data efficiency in agriculture, measured by kilos per m3, has actually shown decrease as of the last decade. This, in spite of, or maybe because of, water for agricultural use being priced below other uses. It is expected that changes in water policy will result in some changes in cropping patterns. Also, that eventually the government will have to come in to provide resources to farmers in order to improve water use efficiency.

Collaboration to Protect Forests in Mexico16 The purpose is to integrate a joint work plan and identify synergies to advance on the creation of the National REDD + Strategy. Currently a total of seven initiatives and projects funded by various national and international organizations working in Mexico in the development of methodologies for the development of a system of Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), therefore, convened by the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), by Strengthening Project REDD+ and SSC, have initiated a collaborative platform.

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Source: www.hortalizas.com with information from Grupo Horticultura, Latinoamérica, Meister Media Worldwide.

Source: “Agribusiness World this Week”, by Kenneth Shwedel. Edition: March 25-29 , 2013. 16 Source: Teorema Ambiental

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

An MRV system is an important element to ensure transparency of activities to reduce emissions from deforestation, degradation, conservation, increased carbon capture in forests and sustainable management (REDD +), so that all actions are measurable and the impact of mitigation activities that are in place at national level in the future can be duly measured. Projects Mexico Partnership REDD +, capacity building for monitoring forests in Mexico, the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN), Role of Biodiversity to Climate Change (Robin), Forests and Climate Change, Biodiversity in production forests (Biocer ) and the Investment Fund for Latin America (LAIF), include in its work plan activities related to different components of the MRV systems. These initiatives work in the areas of early action REDD+ in the Yucatan and Jalisco, and in 18 Natural Protected Areas, even with continental scope for study area defined as an area between Mexico and Bolivia. Therefore, under the leadership of Conafor by the project for Strengthening REDD + is to integrate a work plan multiproject. Since October 2012 there have been coordination meetings of the essential products to generate and lines of action MRV part of the incentive, in order to integrate a joint work plan and identify synergies, enhance efforts to avoid duplication. The project Strengthening REDD + and Promotion for South-South Cooperation is implemented by Conafor, with funding from the Norwegian government and the technical and administrative officer of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Program United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The platform seeks to share information and get feedback methodological framework MRV system.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND PHYTOSANITARY ISSUES ANIMAL HEALTH Animal Health Mission to Mexico After many years, there will be again the visit of Dutch experts in the field of animal health market access to Mexico. Deputy CVO Ton Akkerman and Diny Claassen, Policy Advisor Veterinary Market Access of the Ministry of Economic Affairs will meet with their counterparts in Mexico, belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture, in order to address the most important issues of animals or animal products being imported from the Netherlands to Mexico. The Netherlands and Mexico have a stable and positive relationship regarding market access. There is a frequent dialogue and exchange of information. However, in some cases, meetings such as this one can have a very positive result, since the experts are working together with a limited amount of time, but with direct access to information. We will present the outcome of this event in the next edition of Agri News Mexico (to be continued…).

Lift of restrictions to Schmallenberg virus Mexican animal health authorities have officially lifted the ban to import products of bovine, ovine and goat genetic material from European countries. For more information please contact our agricultural office: [email protected].

Case of avian influenza in the state of Guanajuato17 The Minister of Agriculture (SAGARPA), Enrique Martinez y Martinez, said the outbreak of avian influenza that had its source in Guanajuato state farms is controlled. Appearing before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Irrigation Systems, Rural Development and Fisheries and Livestock of the Chamber of Deputies, the federal official said: "The situation is virtually controlled. 17

Source: Notimex

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

By March 12, 3.9 million birds have been culled; 2.2 million broilers, a million laying hens and 800,000 broiler breeders." On February 25, the Ministry of Agriculture launched the National Animal Health Emergency in poultry producing areas of the country, to prevent the spread of avian influenza virus type A, subtype H7N3, which emerged during the first month of the year in the farms of company Industrias Bachoco, one of the largest poultry companies in Mexico. The measure will be active for six months and will extend for prevention in eight regions in which Mexico is divided. In the Legislative Palace facilities Agriculture Secretary said that birds slaughtered so far, are less compared to the 23 million birds during the outbreak of the virus in mid-2012.

Spread of virus from Guanajuato to Jalisco18 The spread of avian influenza virus ah7n3 went from 39 to 41 farms and backyard holdings of Guanajuato and Jalisco reported the Minstry of Agriculture. The state of Colima's government established seven internal checkpoints to monitor entering birds not infected with avian influenza. In Zacatecas, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection (PROFECO), an agency of the Ministry of Economy (SE) initiated an "administrative procedure" check against 25 major shopping centers and convenience stores due to their practices of price speculation with chickens and eggs. Mexican authorities state that imports of chicken and eggs is not foreseen, since national production is sufficient to cover internal demand. The Ministry of Agriculture’s Service of Health, Food Safety and Quality reported that the avian influenza virus ah7n3 remains contained within the health area while the disease has been detected in 25 farms and two backyard farms of Guanajuato and 21 poultry units of Jalisco. The depopulation figures are of a million 699 thousand birds in Guanajuato and two million broilers in Jalisco.

PLANT HEALTH Netherlands plant health mission to Mexico The Plant Health Mission will take place next May 7 in Mexico City. The Dutch delegates will previously meet with representatives of the Netherlands Embassy and sector representatives. The event is of high relevance because of Mexico being a recipient of a wide variety of plant products, such as seeds and bulbs from the Netherlands. The possibility to reach consensus on a number of these products’ import conditions will surely have a positive effect on Dutch exports of these products to Mexico. And moreover, the entry of these products in the Mexican market can improve the productivity and yield of future export products, such as tomatoes and peppers.

Cancellation of Mexican Official Norms The Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA) has cancelled the following Mexican Official Norms for agricultural products: 

NOM-062 - regulating the importation of plants by mail or courier

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NOM-044 - regulating processed nuts and vegetables and dehydrated products.

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NOM-007 - regulating propagative plant material.

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NOM-008 - regulating fresh fruits and vegetables.

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NOM-028 - regulating grains and seeds.

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NOM-006 - importation of plants, plant products and byproducts.

Requirements for the import of products belonging to these sectors are available upon request in the website of Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture : www.senasica.gob.mx. For assistance, please contact: [email protected]

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Source: Newspapers Excelsior / The Jornada/ (05-03-13) and the Ministry of Agriculture (08-03-03). Volume 7 | number 13 | March 2013 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Office of the Agricultural Counselor Mexico - Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands -

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS

Import Requirements in Mexico There have been changes in the import requirements of certain products. Let your importer contact the Netherlands agricultural office in Mexico or the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (www.vwa.nl) in order to get the latest updates on import conditions.

Products that have changes of import conditions in Mexico are: -

Dairy and products : for human / animal consumption - */new certificate Poultry : genetic material (fertile eggs) */new requirements, under negotiation Poultry: eggs for human consumption */ new certificate Bovine: genetic material (bovine semen) */ new certificate under negotiation Horses : live horses & genetic material */negotiation of a new certificate Feed and vaccines - */ new certificate in process Samples for research, of animal content */new certificate in process Blood and its products for human consumption – */new certificate

Upon request: at e-mail: [email protected] -

Presentation: The Netherlands and the agrifood sector : a small country, a great partner, 2012 Booklet: FIGAP – VIV Animal Exhibition, 2012 The Animal Feed Industry in Mexico, 2012 Animal health establishment approval, LEI, 2012 Mexican Protected Horticulture – WUR 2011 Animal Production Roadshow, 2011 Article: The Mexican Animal Sector, 2011 Trade Fairs and Publications in Mexico, 2013 Latin American Food Processing Machinery, 2010 An Introduction to Mexico: Briefing Horticultural Mission to Guanajuato. 2010 Presentation : Doing Business with Mexicans, Minimizing Differences, 2010 Optimal Climate Regions in Mexico for Greenhouse Crop Production, by Jop Kipp Business Opportunities in the Mexican Dairy Industry - WUR 2010 Mexico Factsheet, 2009 (Dutch version) Mexico Ornamental Sector, 2007 Mexico Animal Production, 2007

FAS-GAIN reports on Mexico19:  Broad and Deep Mexico and U.S. Ag Trade Relationship (21-03-13)  Grain and Feed Annual (15-03-13)  HPAI Outbreak Update- Jalisco and Guanajuato Vaccinating and Culling (14-03-13)  What is Mexico Buying and Selling - A Look at 2012 Trade (08-03-13)  Mexico Finalizes Phytosanitary Regulations for Imports of Lumber (07-03-13)  Livestock and Products Semi-annual (04-0313)  HPAI H7N3 Outbreak Expands to Guanajuato Reproducing Farms (20-02-13)

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These reports are available in website: http://gain.fas.usda.gov or please contact our office. Volume 7 | number 13 | March 2013 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Office of the Agricultural Counselor Mexico - Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands -

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Agri News Mexico – March 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS 2013 Participation of the Agricultural Office of the Netherlands Embassy: -

Round tables G2G “Puerto Verde” in the states of Sinaloa, Aguascalientes and Queretaro (31 January-10 February 2013)

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Plant Health Mission to Mexico. April 15-18, 2013

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Animal Health Mission to Mexico. May 5-8, 2013

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Expo Agroalimentaria Guanajuato. Horticultural exhibition. November 12-15, 2013

TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES This new section is aimed at finding suitable trade or investment partners or opportunities in Mexico. NOTE: The Agricultural Office of the Netherlands Embassy in Mexico is, however, not responsible nor has links to those offering these opportunities.

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Dutch company seeks Mexican representatives of agricultural machinery.

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Netherlands company seeking Mexican representative for animal production equipment.

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Dutch student looking for a job in Mexico, in the the agriculture or food sector.

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Dutch company looking for Ford and NewHolland Farm tractors in Mexico For export out of Mexico overseas.

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Land (80 has.) available in the state of Chiapas located very close to livestock and corn production areas.

Other events, in 2013*: -

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PMA Fresh Connections Mexico – horticultural exhibition May 16-17, 2013 In Guadalajara, Mexico Web: www.freshconnectionsmexico.com/en/ Alimentaria México – food exhibition June 4-6, 2013 In Mexico City For more information: Web: www.alimentaria-mexico.com International Tomato Congress June 19-21 In Mazatlán, Mexico Web: www.thetomatocongress.com/2013/?page=u pdateform

For information on these, or if you would like to have your trade or investment opportunities published here, please contact: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands – Agricultural Office

Latin American Food Show September 4-6, 2013 Web: www.lafs.com.mx

E-mail: [email protected]

*/Note: To receive the 2013 list of events and publications please contact: [email protected]

11 Volume 7 | number 13 | March 2013 Ministry of Economic Affairs, Office of the Agricultural Counselor Mexico - Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands -