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March 11, 1993 



The Honorable Bill Clinton 

 President of The United States 

 The White House 

 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 

 Washington, D.C. 20505 



Dear President Clinton: 



The North American Free Trade Agreement and its impact on Florida's 

 $6.2 billion agricultural industry is of great concern to the Florida 

 Congressional delegation. 



We have attempted to monitor negotiations in an effort to make an 

 adequate assessment of NAFTA's effect on Florida. In May of 1992, the 

 delegation met with former U.S. Trade Ambassador Carla Hills. In 

 September of 1992, the delegation also discussed the impact of NAFTA 

 with Florida agriculture representatives to assess industry concerns. 



On February 24, 1993, the delegation again met with individuals 

 representing all of Florida agriculture. Very valid and significant 

 concerns were brought to our attention outlining the economic damage 

 NAFTA, as proposed, will have on Florida agriculture. 



While many of us believe the agreement has the potential for long-term 

 benefit to tlie United States, the short-term expense of NAFTA in its 

 current form is borne in large measure by Florida agriculture. 



In an effort to make NAFTA the best possible trade agreement for our 

 country and for the State of Florida, we would like to take this 

 opportunity to outline recommendations brought to our attention by 

 Florida's agriculture industry. 



1) Mexico's environmental protection practices must be 

 harmonized with U.S. standards. This objective must be achieved 

 before any tariffs or other trade provisions of NAFTA are 

 reduced. 



2) Mexico's occupational, worker safety, and health standards 

 must also be harmonized with U.S. standards. This objective 

 must be achieved before any tariffs or other trade provisions of 

 NAFTA are reduced. 



All retraining for displaced workers including agriculture 

 workers in the United States must be fully funded with 

 appropriations from the U.S. Treasury. 



