NAFTA Objectives for Agriculture

The U.S. Trade Representatives has released a list of objectives for NAFTA renegotiations, including maintaining reciprocal duty-free markets for U.S. farm and food goods, eliminating non-tariff barriers to U.S. ag exports, updating and strengthening rules of origin, and greater regulatory compatibility.

Richard Owen of the Produce Marketing Association spoke to the USTR on the renegotiations.

“As the volume of agricultural products moving among NAFTA countries increases and the movement of pests and diseases increases, so does the need for robust border inspection procedures.”

Kevin Skunes of the National Corn Growers Association also spoke to the Trade Representative.

“Trade has been an essential driver of growth of the U.S. agricultural economy. I cannot stress enough how important export markets are to our ability to stay in business.”

Renegotiations on NAFTA are scheduled to take place by mid-August.