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FLORIDA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION 



p. O. Box 147030, Gainesville, Florida 32614-7030 Telephone (904) 378-1321 

 March 16, 1993 



QUESTIONS CONORBSSWOMAN THURMAN IMAY WANT TO ASK IN REGARD TO NAFTA; 



1. In the NAFTA, why are the southern commodities with the least cost 

 programs (peanuts and cotton) or no pro-ams (fruits and vegetables) 

 most Impacted while the traditional program crops with direct payments 

 from the U.S. Treasury (com and wheat), the direct beneficiary? 



Were the negotiators more concerned about protecting the traditional 

 program crops rather tlian the crops that have minimal impact on the 

 Treasury? 



2 . In looking at the NAFTA , I find it interesting that orange juice and grape- 

 fruit juice are treated differently. The orange juice phase-in period is set 

 fifteen years with a tariff rate quota; yet grapefruit juice is not even 

 addressed. 



Could you explain your rationale, in view of the fact that Mexico is a 

 grapefruit producer and their juice can be a direct competitor to Florida 

 producers? 



3 . We have been told that the NAFTA negotiations wore conducted and final- 

 ized to reduce the tariff protection and to do away with non-tariff barriers. 

 1 find it interesting that the Canadian government continues to protect 

 segments of its agriculture Industry. 



Why do we see protection of an adversely impacted industry as something 

 bad? 



