SUCCESSES OF U.S.-MEXICO BINATIONAL COMMISSION


                                            Release No. 0151.97
                                                               
                                                               
                                   Jim Petterson (202) 720-4623
                                            jpetterson@usda.gov
                             Lynn K. Goldsbrough (202) 720-3930
                                       goldsbrough@fas.usda.gov


SECRETARY GLICKMAN DETAILS SUCCESSES OF U.S.-MEXICO BINATIONAL COMMISSION   
MEETING IN MEXICO CITY

     MEXICO CITY, May 6, 1997-- Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced several breakthroughs for U.S.-Mexican agricultural trade that
resulted from discussions at the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission meetings.
     
     
"I am extremely pleased to announce that as a result of our negotiation at
the Bi-National meeting, soon citrus from Florida and Arizona will be making
its way to Mexico," said Glickman.  "In addition, the United States and
Mexico have reached resolution on several other major issues affecting
agricultural trade between our two countries." 
     
     Glickman said that Mexico now recognizes Florida's citrus production
region as free from citrus canker.  Mexico agreed that the recent measures
taken in Florida to isolate and eradicate the disease have been
unprecedented and have allayed Mexico's concerns.  This issue no longer
stands in the way of citrus exports to Mexico.
     
     Mexico also announced that it recognizes Arizona's citrus production
region as free from the Mediterranean fruit fly and the Mexican fruit fly. 
As a result, there are no phytosanitary issues that would prevent Mexico's
importation of citrus from Florida and Arizona.  Shipments could start as
early as next season.  Industry sources forecast that Florida grapefruit
exports to Mexico could reach $1-2 million annually in the near- to mid-term.  Shipments of Arizona citrus (primarily oranges and lemons) are
likewise expected to total several million dollars annually.
     
     Glickman noted several other achievements of the discussions:
Mexico will increase the number of border crossing points and availability
of inspectors for livestock and grain exports from the United States, in
order to adapt to changes in the pattern of supply and demand for
agricultural commodities between the two countries.
     
     The United States will publish a final rule recognizing the Mexican
state of Sonora as a low-risk region for Hog Cholera.  Glickman said this
ruling serves as a model for future rulemaking for regionalizing Mexico for
animal diseases.
                                
     The United States is developing a proposed rule to recognize the
Mexicali Valley as free from the wheat fungus, Karnal Bunt.  After
completing a scientific risk analysis of this region, the United States
determined that wheat imported from the Mexicali Valley poses little risk to
the United States.

     "We also reviewed the progress of our countries' joint efforts to
develop better exchanges of agricultural production and market statistics,"
said Glickman.  "Our producers, consumers, traders, wholesalers, processors,
and retailers need accurate, detailed information.  Both of our
countriesfeel this exchange of information is crucial to the efficient
functioning of the expanding North American food and fiber market.  It is
our responsibility to give them the tools they need to be successful. "
     
     Glickman said that since NAFTA took effect in January 1994, U.S.
agricultural exports to Mexico have increased 50 percent to a record $5.4
billion in 1996.
     
     "NAFTA was born with an ambitious vision of the benefits of open
markets within our own hemisphere," he said.  "Today, in our Working Group
for agriculture, we sharpened the focus on that vision." 
     
      Glickman said that both countries have taken significant strides
toward harmonizing their sanitary and phytosanitary measures.  "We both
realize the benefits of safe, open trade, and today we have made major
progress in recognizing each other's progress in establishing disease-free
and pest-free zones.  This will facilitate trade between our two countries."
     
     The U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission is an annual high-level meeting
between Cabinet members of both countries.  The Commission focuses on such
areas as agriculture, labor, international trade, economics, and other areas
of mutual interest.  Secretary Glickman, along with his Mexican counterpart
Secretary Francisco Labastida Ochoa, co-chaired a working group on
agricultural issues affecting both countries.
                                
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