Mexico-Delay on imposing new meat transpotation laws.

MEXICO-DELAY ON NEW MEAT RULES.

The Mexican government postponed until July 1 a change in its meat combo bin inspection procedures that was scheduled to begin April 20, according to U.S. meat industry association executives.

The new procedures would have entailed Mexican officials inspecting the top, bottom and middle of each combo bin, requiring a significant commitment of time and resources that the United States says is unnecessary and harmful to the flow of U.S. pork and beef exports.

"We’re pleased with the extension," U.S. Meat Export Federation Communications Director Joe Schuele told reporters.. "I think we have a lot of work left ahead of us to come up with an inspection system that meets the needs of everyone involved," he added.

The Mexican Meat Council (CoMeCarne) will meet with officials of SENASICA (Mexico’s National Services of Animal and Plant Health, Quality and Food Safety) on the issue next Monday, Guillermo Cochran, CoMeCarne’s Director General told North American Meat Processors Association Executive Director Phil Kimball on Monday.

It was not clear when U.S. and Mexican government officials would next discuss the issue in an effort to come to a workable solution.