29 



day that on the next Friday, the export of hve hogs to Mexico 

 would be stopped. So this is where the 45-day transparency and no- 

 tice came in. 



We do hope that you will monitor this issue closely. As you know, 

 Mexico is a signatory to the GATT dumping code, and I do hope 

 that you monitor that they follow the rules strictly. 



I know this hearing is on agriculture, but I am also concerned 

 about the environment and how it impacts the thrust of the 

 NAFTA. In the North American Environmental Commission, I do 

 hope we realize that the border with Mexico does not end at the 

 water's edge. It continues through the Gulf of Mexico, and we hope 

 you also address issues of the Gulf of Mexico on environmental 

 matters. The gulf is basically a closed body of water and we need 

 to protect it. 



I might also mention that, as you know, in the Good Neighbor 

 Environmental Act of 1992, sponsored by this Member, we estab- 

 lished a Good Neighbor Environmental Board for the United 

 States-Mexico border for which members are yet to be named. So 

 I think President Clinton has a tremendous opportunity to use this 

 board to begin to deal with environmental issues along the border. 



Along with that, you have my recommendation — I don't think 

 well understood — about changing the thrust of the border merchan- 

 dise fee which is in existence. This fee currently goes to the general 

 Treasury, but we could divert it. You don't have to open the agree- 

 ment to do that because that is a domestic law here. It is outside 

 of the agreement. 



I might also mention that in regard to a recent proposal to estab- 

 lish a trilateral development bank, we have enough money prob- 

 lems in our country. I feel we could have the TDB have a fund for 

 border environment rather than us having to put more money in 

 another area. 



I certainly agree with you about commissions and adding more 

 bureaucracy. To the extent that we can keep that down, we concur 

 with you. 



Now we will go to the members. If there is no objection, I am 

 going to go to 3 minutes to see if we can get all of the members. 

 Then for those that have more interest, after we have finished with 

 the existing membership, we can come back for a second round. 



Ambassador Kantor. Just to respond to one thing that you men- 

 tioned, the situation on the allegation by the Mexican Government 

 that there could possibly be dumping in the area of hogs. We are 

 watching that very closely to make sure, one, that they adhere to 

 the dictates of GATT; and two, we are working with the domestic 

 industry and USDA to follow it. So let me assure this committee 

 that we are paying close attention to it. 



The Chairman. Thank you very much. That's our concern. They 

 have a perfect right to do so. All we say is adhere to the GATT 

 rules, and then you monitor it closely, because they are members 

 of GATT. 



You mentioned working with USDA. I want to commend you and 

 Secretary Espy for the excellent effort you are making toward co- 

 operation between the Department of Agriculture and your office in 

 the naming of a representative agreeable to both sides. So I want 

 to commend you very sincerely for your part of it, and certainly 



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