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PREPARED STATEMENT OF HON. EVA 11. CLAYTON 



Opening Statement for Full Committee Hearing on NAFTA 

 Wednesday, March 17, 1993 

 Thank you Mr. Chairman. I would like to extend a warm 

 welcome to Ambassador Kantor for coming to the Agriculture 

 Committee. We appreciate the resolve of Mr. Kantor in securing 

 fair and productive trade agreements which enhance the prosperity 

 of U.S. export industries. This is especially true in regards to 

 American agriculture. Further, I would like to thank Mr. Kantor 

 for his commitment in attaining fair and equitable trade between 

 the United States and other countries. 



Recently, I had an opportunity to meet with several 

 agricultural commodity groups that have voiced their concerns 

 about the North American Free Trade Agreement and how it may 

 affect their footing in the U.S. domestic market. Today, I hope 

 that Amb. Kantor can shed some light on the direction that the 

 Administration is taking in regard to the supplemental agreements 

 which will soon be negotiated. 



It is my sincere desire to see a fair settlement in regards 

 to the labor and the environment as well as putting safeguards on 

 the problem of import surges. These points create real concern 

 for not only the people of my congressional district, but for all 

 Americans who might be adversely affected by NAFTA as it exists 

 in its current form. I hope that you can speak to this problem. 



Finally, I want to address the problem of the point of 

 origin regulations inherent in NAFTA. The fear that specific 

 industries have regarding the point of origin of certain 

 agricultural commodities is very real. I know that you will 

 address this concern in a thorough fashion. 

 Thank you. 



