40 



I find it enjoyable. It is a tough task and it is challenging. The 

 President has never given me an easy task yet, but I am happy not 

 to be in a political campaign, frankly. 



Mr. GUNDERSON. I appreciate the response. I am one of those 

 who believes that we have to find a way to make this happen. I 

 look forward to working with you to try to achieve that end — not 

 that we don't have problems. But we have to find a way, when you 

 look at the long-term implications of this, to make it happen. 



I have a question on timing because I am confiised. Very frankly. 

 President Bush signed this — if I understand correctly — in Decem- 

 ber. 



Ambassador Kantor. That's correct. 



Mr. GuNDERSON. That started a clock ticking. I thought that we 

 had some obligations to complete by mid-year that we're now talk- 

 ing by the end of the year. 



Can you share with us exactly what time constraints we have re- 

 garding the treaty, regarding side agreements? 



Ambassador Kantor. We are in a situation now to fast-track the 

 NAFTA and the supplemental agreements and the implementing 

 legislation. We have now whatever time we need, want, or is rea- 

 sonable to bring it up here to the Congress once that has been 

 signed. 



We were under some restrictions if we had not gotten to the 

 March 1 deadline and given Congress a notice on March 1. That 

 is the time constraint that we had. 



Now let me make sure that 



Mr. GuNDERSON. What happens by March 1? 



Ambassador Kantor. On March 1 would have been the drop-off 

 date for the 90-day notice. Fast- track ran out on June 1. But Presi- 

 dent Bush signed on December 17, so therefore we are now in the 

 process of working with your staff. We will be working with both 

 bodies on implementation legislation. 



As you know, this is prenegotiated under fast-track procedures, 

 not negotiated after we send it up. We will also be working with 

 you closely on these supplemental agreements. 



Let me also indicate that we have indicated that we will seek 

 fast-track renewal for the Uruguay Round. The President has not 

 yet indicated how long he would like that to be for, but we will be 

 coming back with that as well. 



Mr. GuNDERSON. Yesterday, I had constituents in my office who 

 were opposed to NAFTA. They said, "The reason we had the jack- 

 in-the-box disaster in the State of Washington was because the 

 North American Free-Trade Agreement allowed tainted meat to 

 come in uninspected through Canada from Australia." 



You and I both know that that is not true. I share that with you 

 because it indicates the level of education that I think is necessary 

 if you're going to have any hope in succeeding at this. 



But I would like to focus on the question of the environment. 



What are you anticipating regarding increased enforcement at 

 the border? When you tell people that if it doesn't comply with our 

 food safety standards and it is not coming in, they say that they 

 don't inspect because they don't have enough inspectors. 



What is the administration looking at in the area of increased 

 enforcement of American food safety law? 



