In case you missed it … Mexican officials have tightened regulations on American Christmas trees entering that country, according to the Capital Press and reporter Mateusz Perkowski. Trees must be sprayed with pyrethrin, an insecticide, three to six weeks before harvest. They must be free of dead needles or branches, and they must also be free of numerous insects, several of which are considered fairly common. The incoming trees also must be shaken for at least 15 seconds.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is responsible for certifying that growers have complied with Mexico’s expectations. You can read a summary Mexico’s regulations, and those of other countries and even states, at ODA’s Christmas Tree regulations site.
You may recall that back in July, the United States and Mexico ended their impasse over cross-border trucking, with the U.S. agreeing to allow Mexican trucks into the country and Mexico agreeing to give up several punitive tariffs it had adopted, including one on Christmas trees.
