AFBF: Closing the Mexico Border Would Be A Disaster

Add the American Farm Bureau Federation to the growing list of Ag organizations speaking out against President Trump's proposal to close the border with Mexico.  AFBF’s Veronica Nigh said partially or completely closing the border would be a disaster.

“It would be devastating to U.S. agriculture, both from an export and an import perspective. 69% of all Ag trade with Mexico happens via truck. So, if we think of all the additional costs that would incur, to have to ship product by rail or airplane or boat, that gets pretty expensive, pretty quick.”

And Nigh noted closing the border would impact so many different sectors of the U.S. Ag economy.

“Once the border’s closed, the border’s closed. So, when you look at our top products that we export to Mexico, corn and soybeans aren’t going via truck, but the next three in line, dairy products, pork, beef, poultry, prepared foods…all the rest are processed products that are consumer-oriented, that are all going via truck.”

Top aides report the President is considering an alternative plan to allow commercial traffic to continue, but the president says security is “more important” to him than trade.

Over the last three years, Washington apple growers have sent an average of 12 million boxes to Mexico, accounting for 31% of all Washington Apple exports

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com