The Mexican avocado industry, overseen by APEAM (Avocado Producers and Exporting Packers Association of Mexico), is pleased to announce expanded environmental efforts to support the long-term sustainability and strength of the industry.
Recent news reports have discussed deforestation issues facing Michoacán, Mexico related to increased avocado production. While the avocado industry has expanded significantly to meet the growing demand, APEAM has been a supporter of environmental initiatives and has led an extensive reforestation program, planting over 500,000 pine trees throughout Michoacán over the past several years. The reforestation program continues to expand with 280,000 trees planned for 2017 and 320,000 for 2018 with trees already being grown in the nursery.
To protect against illegal deforestation, APEAM has called on government authorities to enforce the law on this issue. Yesterday, APEAM and the Michoacán government set forth an action plan to establish agricultural and environmental limits to future expansion of the avocado area, as determined by academic institutions such as Michoacán State University and the National School of Agriculture Chapingo, among other respected organizations. A formal environmental board will also be established to study the impact of avocado production on the region and provide recommended action to further protect the natural environment. The environmental board will also establish certification guidelines to recognize avocados that are produced under the highest environmental standards. APEAM will continue to provide updates on the progress of this initiative.
As representatives of the largest Hass avocado production area in the world, APEAM’s goal is to achieve proper balance between the growing worldwide demand for avocados, important environmental needs and the livelihood of thousands of small farm-holders and farm workers.
