FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 1997
Contact: Dave Redmond
(202) 225-4050
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A RENEWED FOCUS ON THE SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURAL
TRADE, FIRST URGED BY AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN BOB
SMITH (R-OR) FOLLOWING THE COMMITTTEE'S APRIL TRADE MISSION TO
MEXICO, HAS PAID OFF FOR FLORIDA AND ARIZONA CITRUS PRODUCERS,
WHO MEXICO NOW RECOGNIZES AS FREE FROM CITRUS CANKER AND MEDITERRANEAN
AND MEXICAN FRUIT FLIES, OPENING THE MEXICAN MARKET TO THOSE PRODUCTS.
In April, following the Committee on Agriculture's trade mission
to Mexico and discussions with Mexican officials, Chairman Smith
and other Members of the Committee asked President Bill Clinton
to recognize the Mexican state of Sonora as hog cholera free and
the Mexicali Valley as free of Karnal bunt fungus. At the time,
Smith said Mexico could be expected to show a similar willingness
to resolve non-tariff trade barriers. Today, Smith's predictions
came true.
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced that the U.S.
would recognize Sonora as a low-risk region for hog cholera and
the Mexicali Valley as free from Karnal bunt. Also, Mexico recognized
Florida's citrus production region as free from citrus canker,
agreeing that Florida's efforts to isolate and eradicate the disease
had been unprecedented, removing citrus canker as an impediment
to imports of Florida citrus. In addition, Mexico recognized Arizona's
citrus production as free from the Mediterranean fruit fly and
the Mexican fruit fly.
There are no remaining phytosanitary issues preventing Mexico's
importation of Florida or Arizona citrus. Shipments could begin
as early as next season and result in sales of several million
dollars annually.
"I'm delighted the Committee's efforts paid off," Smith
said. "These common sense decisions, on our part and on the
part of Mexico, will serve both our countries and their people
very well. It supports the Committee's aggressive resolve to open
markets around the world. We have much to gain by eliminating
non-tariff trade barriers and encouraging agricultural trade.
I'm convinced that America's farmers and ranchers continue to
produce the world's highest quality farm products and that our
future in the international market will continue to be a bright
one," Smith said.
The Committee on Agriculture visited Mexico from March 31 to April
1.
Smith, who represents Oregon's Second Congressional District in
the U.S. House of Representatives, has made opening markets for
American agricultural exports the Agriculture Committee's highest
priority in the 105th Congress.