In Mexico, the president of the Confederation of Aquaculture Associations of the State of Sinaloa (COADES) has voiced concerns over the importation of shrimp from India. This revelation adds to existing worries about shrimp imports not only from Central America but also from Peru, despite supposed protective measures in place.

Calls for Action

Carlos Urías Espinoza, president of COADES, has taken a firm stance against what he perceives as lax enforcement of regulations governing shrimp imports. He recently met with representatives from the National Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (SENASICA) and customs to address the issue and seek measures to curb the influx of imported shrimp into Mexico.

During the meeting with SENASICA and customs officials, Espinoza emphasized the need for concrete agreements to prevent further importation of shrimp into Mexico. He stressed the importance of specific rulings that would effectively bar such imports, calling attention to what he sees as evasion of duties by public officials.

Evasion and Regulatory Loopholes

Espinoza revealed that SENASICA possesses documents that permit shrimp importation under certain conditions. However, he noted a lack of action on the part of SENASICA to enforce these conditions, leading to what he describes as regulatory evasion. Despite existing regulations, imports from India and Peru have continued, prompting Espinoza to take action against what he sees as violations of Mexican regulations.

In collaboration with the National Customs Agency of Mexico, Espinoza has made efforts to address the issue through legal channels. By raising objections to the importation of shrimp from India and Peru, he aims to uphold Mexican regulations and protect the interests of local shrimp producers.