MEXICO MARKET OPENS TO U.S. SWEET CHERRIES 
                                                               
                                                               
                                            Release No. 0053.97
                                                               
                                  Bethany Jones  (301) 734-7280
                                          bjones@aphis.usda.gov
                                 Jerry Redding   (202) 720-6959
                                              jredding@usda.gov

MEXICO MARKET OPENS TO U.S. SWEET CHERRIES 

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced that Mexico will allow the importation of U.S. sweet cherries from
Washington, Oregon, and California, a move Glickman estimated will be worth
several million dollars to U.S. cherry growers.

     "The decision to allow U.S. sweet cherries into Mexico is a tremendous
trade success and an excellent indication of how the principles established
by the North American Free Trade Agreement continue to benefit U.S.
producers," said Glickman.  "It is also another example of how this
Administration is working hard to open markets and expand trade for U.S.
agriculture."

     The United States will begin exporting sweet cherries in mid-April
from California and at the end of May from Washington and Oregon.

     "We believe the terms agreed upon for exporting U.S. sweet cherries in
the workplan are fair to U.S. producers and are based on science," said
Michael V. Dunn, USDA assistant secretary for marketing and regulatory
programs.  "We are confident that U.S. cherries exported in accordance with
this workplan will be free of injurious pests, such as the apple maggot and
plum curculio."

                               #