Mexico strengthens southern border against agricultural threats
Mexican authorities have invested MXN286.1 million (US$22 million) across five checkpoints along the country's southern borders with Guatemala and Belize. 
In a release, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) said the five stations would focus on the inspection, mobilization and import of agricultural products to protect the nation from exotic pests and diseases that are not yet present in Mexico.
With MXN185.8 million (US$14.3 million) , the lion's share of the funds have gone to the checkpoints Huixtla and Suchiate II in the state of Chiapas, bordering Guatemala.
More than six thousand agriculture-related shipments passed through Huixtla alone between January and March this year, including plantains, mangoes, mamey sapote, papayas, cows and birds.
The remaining funds have been spent on three facilities still under development - Catazajá and Trinitaria-Comitán that are also in Chiapas, and Chac-Temal in the state of Quintana Roo bordering Belize.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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