The cattle industry on both sides of the border is hoping to make it easier for Arizona operators to export cattle to Sonora for slaughter.
As it stands, those looking to send cows south have to clear one inspection hurdle in Arizona, and then another at the border before crossing, according to Jesús Ancheta, marketing director for the regional cattle union in Sonora.
"Some people are interested in doing it, but they’re not doing it today because of the high cost," he said.
He hopes Mexican inspection officials clear the way for allowing a single inspection in Arizona.
The union met with some of Mexico’s top agricultural officials in Hermosillo this week and one of them, federal agricultural inspections chief Enrique Sanchez Cruz, told KJZZ that he’s hopeful something will get worked out.
