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 INTRODUCTION: 



On the following pages, youll be provided with information that may surprise you 

 about the effects of the five-year-old VS. I Canada Free Trade Agreement on American family 

 farmers. 



In fact, / hope it shocks you with the realization that despite much rhetoric to the 

 contrary, free trade agreements are not a panacea for rural America. 



It's not that the National Farmers Union is against trade. Trade is vital in 

 maintaining standards of living and cultural exchange and development. But bad trade 

 agreements work contrary to those objectives, creating uncertainty and difficulties for effected 

 people. 



Now that the North American Free Trade Agreement is being debated, we have a rare 

 opportunity to learn from our mistakes. The family farmers of America cannot tolerate a 

 continuation of the trends begun under the U.S. /Canada accord. 



ff problems like those amplified on the following pages have been created because of a 

 trade agreement between two nations that are perhaps as similar economically and culturally 

 as any two countries on the globe, then what will happen if we enter an even weaker agreement 

 with a nation such as Mexico — a neighboring nation, yet one a world apart economically and 

 socially? 



I hope you'll find this document useful and I hope you'll consider very seriously the 

 consequences of NAFTA in the months ahead. 



Sincerely, 



Leland Swenson, President 

 National Farmers Union 



