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merit than without it. Agreement achieves important nontariff barrier objectives. 

 One concern it does have is the possible lack of enforcement collecting duties from 

 maquiladora companies serving the Mexican market. 



Southeastern Peanut Association 



Opposes the agreement. It will undermine the domestic industry, and it is impos- 

 sible to guarantee that the quality of imported peanuts will meet the same stand- 

 ards as domestic peanuts. The U.S. industry will be further damaged by the erosion 

 in consumer confidence of the quality of the peanut supply. 



Southwest Peanut Growers 



Has the same recommendations as the rest of the peanut industry. The imple- 

 menting legislation must include two additional provisions for peanuts. First, it 

 should prevent the reentry of peanuts previously exported by the United States, and 

 provide a financial penalty if they do reenter. Second, the same quality and stand- 

 ard controls that U.S. peanuts have to adhere to should be required for imported 

 peanuts. 



Sun-Diamond Growers of California 



Supports the agreement. 



Sweeteners Users Association 



Supports the agreement and its sweetener and sweetened-product provisions. It 

 does not want to see the sugar provisions changed, and if Mexico does become a net 

 exporter it will not be able to flood the U.S. sugar market during transition period. 

 The Mexican market for sugar-containing products will continue to grow as the tar- 

 iffs are reduced and Mexican demand rises. Sugar-containing product reexport pro- 

 gram is maintained until Mexican tariffs reduced. 



Texas A&I University System 



The agreement will have mixed impacts on Texas agriculture, but the gains will 

 far offset losses. Most changes will be small in magnitude, with largest impact on 

 sectors that are economically sensitive to trade. Details on live cattle, horticultural 

 crops, and sugar. 



Texas Department of Agriculture 



Strongly supports the agreement. Report of a select committee of Texas ag leaders 

 and Commissioner Perry. The implementing legislation should include penalties for 

 violations and noncompliance, convert tariff schedules to an ad valorem system, and 

 enforce rules of origin. Included in the statement is a brief overview of how different 

 agriculture groups in Texas view the agreement. 



Texas Farm Bureau 



It does not have a definite position, but trade with Mexico should be encouraged 

 and promoted. Preliminary estimates indicate that the agreement will benefit the 

 Texas economy. Any agreement should ensure that current standards are not re- 

 laxed and are enforced. 



Tri Valley Growers 



Supports agreement. Most tariff reductions are reciprocal, except on tomato cat- 

 sup. Supports de minimis rule of origin provision. U.S. grades and standards will 

 not be compromised. Wants shorter period for dispute settlement procedures. Some 

 nontariff barriers are not reciprocal, like Canadian can size restrictions. The United 

 States must also be allowed to continue to subsidize exports to counter non-NAFTA 

 exports through EEP and MPP. 



United Food & Commercial Workers 



The agreement falls far short of its expectations. It will bring major hardship and 

 job dislocation on the meat and livestock industries. The principal danger of the 

 agreement is that several of its provision will encourage Mexico to shift from export- 

 ing live cattle to exporting meat and processed meat products. The new administra- 

 tion should include provisions that will ensure the safety of our food supply and per- 

 mit the United States to implement more stringent rules in the future. A provision 

 to take action against violations of labor, environmental and human rights stand- 

 ards should also he included. 



United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association 



Overall, the industry will benefit in the long run. However, some sectors will not 

 benefit, and its comments address the deficiencies in the agreement that hurt these 

 sectors. It is not satisfied with the safeguard mechanism because it would work 

 much better if it was based on price and not volume. Mexican tariffs on many prod- 

 ucts are not being phased out as soon as the same U.S. tariffs, and sensitive and 

 highly sensitive commodities should have received a longer transition period. A 



