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this question of whether or not there is any reason for us to believe 

 that they would start using high fructose corn syrup in their bev- 

 erage industry. 



As I sit here, I don't believe that that is really going to happen, 

 for two reasons: one, because of, in my words, the sorry state of af- 

 fairs in their beverage industry right now. There are a few compa- 

 nies that have gone bankrupt recently. It is really hard to believe 

 we are going to see a quick capitalization of their beverage indus- 

 try. Then, secondly, as most consumers know, because of the taste 

 differences between what beverages taste like with high fructose 

 corn syrup than they taste like now with the current ingredients. 

 I think that we know that there is a taste difference. I think we 

 saw that in the old argument over the Classic Coke. And I just 

 don't think that conversion to the use of high fructose corn syrup 

 is going to happen. 



So insofar as their becoming a net surplus producer and our hav- 

 ing to fear that they will export that raw sugar into our markets, 

 I just don't believe that there is a probability of that, even after 

 year seven. 



The Chairman. We are talking about things that might be im- 

 ported. You said earlier in your testimony that you thought that 

 NAFTA would prevent Canada or any other country from cir- 

 cumventing the U.S. Section 22 import quotas by shipping dairy 

 products through Mexico. In my understanding of a reading of it, 

 it does prevent that but only if we enforce it. 



How do you enforce those rules? Would it be the administration's 

 intent to make sure the rules really are enforced? 



As you know and I know, we have some rules on imports and ex- 

 ports that we on occasion turn a blind eye to, for whatever reasons, 

 ranging from national security to economic realities. But this is one 

 that resonates a bit back home, so please tell me it is going to be 

 enforced. 



Secretary Espy. Well, I am sitting at the table with the author 

 of the three side agreements: on labor, on environment, and on im- 

 port surges. 



Mr. Chairman, there are some things that we should take on 

 faith, and we know how difficult this agreement is to pass, and we 

 are not going to let the critics have a field day by knowing that we 

 did not enforce that particular requirement. 



The Chairman. What are the prospects for imports of dairy prod- 

 ucts from Mexico? You said there are now about $160 million a 

 year in exports of dairy products to Mexico. To put it in perspec- 

 tive, that is about half, I think, of the production in my own State 

 a year. What are the prospects of imports? 



Secretary Espy. Let me turn to Joe O'Mara on that one. 



The Chairman. Mr. O'Mara. 



Mr. O'Mara. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Sec- 

 retary. I am looking it up right now. 



I don't think, while I am looking this up for the specific number, 

 that we would anticipate much imports from Mexico. 



The Chairman. Well, why don't we do this? Why don't you sub- 

 mit the anwer for the record. I realize that is a fairly technical one. 



Mr. O'Mara. I would be happy to do that. 



