Release No. 0152.97
                                                                 

Remarks
                               by
               Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
                at the Agriculture Working Group
               U.S.-Mexican Binational Commission
                      Mexico City, Mexico
                          May 5, 1997

     Good afternoon.  I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of
you and thank you for your dedicated efforts over the past year on behalf of
the U.S. Mexican Binational Commission.  I can say with full confidence that
the important relationship between Mexico and the United States grows stronger
each day.

     Clearly, one of the major forces behind the increased closeness of our
ties has been the success of the North American Free Trade Agreement.  In
short, NAFTA works.  

     In terms of agriculture, both of our countries have benefited greatly
from NAFTA.  Mexico continues to be our third largest single-country
agricultural market and is one of the largest and fastest growing markets for
U.S. high-value products.  

     In turn, we are Mexico's largest agricultural trading partner.  You sell
roughly three-fourths of your total agricultural exports to your two NAFTA
partners, with the United States accounting for the majority of that amount.

     Our obligation here today is to make sure our markets are open to each
other's products. It is an obligation that places a major responsibility on
our governments which must undertake the trade policy actions to break down
the import barriers and ensure a fair and level playing field for our
agricultural sectors.

     The Clinton Administration is committed to developing long-term growth
markets for agriculture as well as for other sectors, as I'm sure is President
Zedillo's.  

     Both presidents recognize that one of the best ways to do this in
today's world is through market-opening agreements, such as NAFTA. Market
access allows our greatest assets -- our agriculture and our people -- to work
to full advantage.  Competitiveness, efficiency, and productivity count for
little without the assurance of market access and rules of conduct for fair
trade. 

     Just a few years ago, the benefits of freer trade represented little
more than a future promise.  Today, for both our countries, it is a reality.  

     Many of the arguments for forward-looking, outward-looking trade
policies relied on economic theory, historical experience, and the potential
for gains.  Today, we can see doors opening here in our hemisphere and around
the world as traditional trading partners and newly emerging markets roll back
longstanding access barriers. We can see our producers, processors, and
exporters capitalizing on growing opportunities abroad.

     Economic analysis largely supports the contention that NAFTA has been a
positive factor in economic growth, and has contributed to the gains in
agricultural trade. We believe the evidence will become even more compelling
over time that NAFTA is helping to build stronger economies and stronger
markets in this hemisphere.

     Trade problems have always been with us. They will arise under any
agreement. Not all concerns can be addressed as easily, as quickly, or as
favorably as we might hope.

     But we cannot measure progress or success under an agreement by the
issues or concerns still on the table. We measure progress by those that are
satisfactorily resolved.

     For example, in January, USDA adopted a final rule establishing an
overlapping series of safeguards, called a "systems approach." This will allow
commercial shipments of fresh Hass avocados grown in approved orchards in the
Mexican state of Michoacan to be imported into selected areas of the United
States.

     In February, Mexico announced it will allow importation of U.S. sweet
cherries from Washington, Oregon, and California, a move that will be worth
several million dollars to U.S. growers.  Our two countries had disagreed on
the conditions for entry since 1991.  But under the auspices of NAFTA, our
concerns were resolved.  We are looking forward to continuing the trend of
opening markets while maintaining safe health standards within our countries.

     It is my hope that the positive strides we have made to harmonize and to
mutually recognize each other's health standards will continue.  

     The Agriculture Working Group plays an important role in making U.S.-
Mexican trade the strong, cooperative relationship that it is.  This group has
taken giant steps over the past few months.  As we proceed with today's
meeting, there are more issues to resolve.  I am hopeful that we will make
progress.  

     On our agenda today are five items:

     USDA's actions regarding the recognition of the Mexicali Valley as a
     free-zone for Karnal Bunt.

     Mexico's actions regarding market access for Florida and Arizona citrus.

     USDA's actions regarding the final rule recognizing the state of Sonora
     as low-risk for hog cholera.

     Mexico's actions regarding increasing border crossing points and the
     availability of inspectors for livestock and grain exports from the
     United States.  And,

     Cooperative research activities in agricultural statistics and trade
     analysis.

     Tomorrow, we will present a report on our efforts -- and I hope our
breakthroughs -- to President Clinton and President Zedillo.  Let us tell them
we were successful in our work here today.  

     I look forward to our discussions this afternoon. Since we have a heavy
agenda, I will just say again, welcome and let's get to work.

     Thank you.
                                
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