Newsgroups: bit.listserv.biosph-l
Date:         Sat, 3 Oct 1992 11:04:00 PDT
Reply-To:     casspa@ATLANTIS.CS.ORST.EDU
From:         casspa@ATLANTIS.CS.ORST.EDU
Subject:      NAFTA quotes

The following quotes were published in "In Good Tilth" October issue.
They were tracked and edited by Penny Cass.

Mark Ritchie, Inst. for Agriculture and Trade Policy   In 1989,
as much as 40 percent of imported food inspected by FDA was
rejected for unsafe chemical residues, yet only 2 percent was
inspected.  Under CFTA, Canada has had to loosen regulations on
pesticides, food irradiation, virtually eliminate Canadian
wetlands protection and forest replanting.  Oil, gas and weapons
are the only "legal government-sponsored development in Canada.
The U.S. got access to Canadian water.  NAFTA has a stated
agriculture objective to increase the "scale of production."
"U.S. fruit and vegetable production is seriously threatened by
free trade.  The entire winter-produce industry could be
threatened."  Will increase U.S. dependence on imported crops.
"The total production costs for frozen broccoli in Mexico are
less than pre-harvest costs in California."

     NAFTA may deliver "a double whammy to organic farmers on
both sides of the border."  Lower prices on conventionally grown
crops will separate the gap with organic produce, and increased
chemical use may interfere with natural pest control patterns.
"GATT would seriously limit the right of member nations to
implement a wide range of natural resource protection laws at
local, provincial, and national levels."  NAFTA and GATT may
overturn provisions of the Meat Import Act, increasing pressures
to clear rainforests for beef production.  The stricter U.S.
standards on pesticide residues can be ruled "illegal" by the
Codex.

Colin Hines, Organic farming advocate, Living Earth Journal
"Round the corner lurks a gleaming new engine for accelerating
free trade, which if unleashed will make the idea that there is
any future for organic agriculture the mere stuff of dreams."

Jonathan Harsch, Farm columnist    "Good Republicans acknowledge
that what they are doing now in the GATT talks should make it
virtually impossible for anyone to reverse the direction of U.S.
farm policy."

Larry Kleinmann, PCUN    Issued no formal opinion but feels the
evidence is "clear and strong that this is a major step
backwards.  NAFTA allows capital to move with fewer restrictions
and less protection for workers."  The changes in Mexican laws to
accommodate NAFTA, like the changes in "ejidos" (land rights won
in the Mexican revolution that allowed farm land to be passed on
but not sold) are going to accelerate the dispossessing of
workers.  "NAFTA does nothing to strengthen human or
environmental standards."

John Ross, Correspondent on Mexican issues   NAFTA will increase
Mexican exports of specialty vegetables, like kiwis, in Winter.
"NAFTA makes Mexico politically beholden to the U.S. as vital to
their economic survival."  NAFTA will continue trends that have
left "42 percent of Mexicans malnourished." Labor laws have been
revised to attract foreign business.  Mexican growers
predominantly use EPA lists for pesticides, but border
inspections that take a few tomatoes out of long lines of trucks
can't enforce regulations.  By the time tests are completed, the
crops are in the stores.

Brad Figal, Packwood's office, Senate Finance Committee     NAFTA
will only effect Oregon winter vegetable crops, which will have
the longest phase-in for tariff reduction.  Safeguard mechanisms
ensure that the "tariffs will snap back" if growers are hurt.  If
a pesticide is banned in the U.S., it can still be banned.  "We
are not changing our health and safety standards one bit."

Daniel Goldrich, Political Science, U of O, Oregon Fair Trade
Coalition "The victories which people have spent their life
working for are going down the drain."  Concerned about
abridgement to democratic processes; "state and local governments
can't innovate, no creative federalism."  Challenges to non-
tariff barriers to trade, such as the raw log export ban or
pesticide residue standards are decided by an "unaccountable
tribunal made up of trade experts."  NAFTA reinforces "social
polarization, promotes big rather than small by strengthening the
big players, undermines energy conservation, and will dispossess
indigenous farmers who had the fewest destructive impacts."
Consumers who can afford it may well buy more organic produce,
but the poor "will be forced to eat crap."  "The trade agreements
are devices to empower transnational corporations."  An actively
concerned U.S. leadership could exert a lot of pressure for a
Fair Trade Agreement - concerned about the environment, equity,
and democracy.  With an Administration that wants to reduce
regulations, however, not much effort will be given to fighting
challenges to non-tariff barriers.

Michael Martin, Ag and Resource Economics, OSU    The political
year has accelerated the process which was already taking place,
changing the time table on NAFTA.  NAFTA is not as sweeping as
some fear.   If factories were going to move to Mexico, they
could already have moved to Maquiladora zones.  Labor costs are
significantly lower the farther south you move, but distance,
water, and treatment facilities are considerations against moving
factories south. Has been significant Korean investment in
Mexico, by buying Mexican debt and converting it into in-country
equity.  Will have significant impact on off-season fruits and
vegetables.  Strawberries will probably be most affected as
Mexico gains domestic access.  Doubts it will impact organic
farmers as Mexico doesn't "have sufficient infrastructure" to
move those crops.  "This Congress has a pretty good shot at
forcing standards on health, safety and the environment."

Development Group for Alternative Policies   Mexican reforms to
accommodate NAFTA have halved real wages over last 8 years.
Canada is challenging the U.S. ban on asbestos as an unnecessary
barrier to trade.  The U.S. has challenged Canadian incentives
for pollution control devices on lead, zinc, and copper smelters.
Canada is considering challenging U.S. laws that newsprint
contain recycled material.  Canada's generic drug licenses, which
save consumers $250 million/year, are being challenged by the
U.S. CFTA allows border inspectors to check one truck in 15 and
the sample inspected is picked by the truck driver.  Article 906
of CFTA provides incentives for oil and gas exploration but
prohibits subsidies for sustainable, environmentally sound
sources. Canadian polls show 60% of Canadians are opposed to
NAFTA.  Only 19% of maquiladora zone businesses could demonstrate
how they disposed of toxic substances.  Sixty-eight percent of
maquiladora workers are women who earn less than $1/day.

William Lehman, USDA meat inspector     Alarming amounts of meat
containing feces, infected abscesses, blood clots, glass, and
metal shavings are passing through borders due to CFTA.

Lynn Greenwalt, National Wildlife Federation "We have come
together today to note, and perhaps to prevent, the passing of an
era.  An era when local communities had a say in how their
natural resources were used.  An era when the state and federal
governments could take steps to stop the destruction of our
environment.  These basic rights may be sacrificed by U.S.
negotiators in the name of free trade."

Hawley Truax, Environmental Action "Global economic integration
is occurring at a rapid pace.  So, too, is global ecological
deterioration.  How we choose to reconcile these two trends is
sure to be a defining issue of our time."

Lori Wallach, Public Citizen  "Bush Administration's trade agenda
is a race to the bottom in all the standards we care about."
Public Citizen and other groups are suing to ask that an
Environmental Impact Statement be filed on NAFTA.

USTR NAFTA establishes an effective dispute-settlement mechanism.
It "will generate new resources to improve the environment."  It
allows the U.S. to maintain stringent environmental standards and
prohibit lower-standard imports, encouraging upward
harmonization.  Allows local and state governments to set tougher
standards. Limits trade in endangered species or ozone depleters.
Denounces lowering of safety standards to induce investment.
Companies will not move from the U.S. to Mexico, and Mexican
produce will not flood U.S. markets.

White House, Office of Press Secretary  U.S. exports have
increased 90% since 1986 due to free trade.  Due to NAFTA,
Mexican inflation has dropped over 80%.  All three countries are
expected to gain from NAFTA.  Allows U.S. to maintain stringent
environmental, safety, and health laws and for states to enact
tougher standards.

Sen. Lloyd Bentson (D-TX)     "I see a real opportunity for NAFTA
to promote improved environmental performance in all three
countries."

Senate Finance Committee Democrats "NAFTA could not prevent
Mexico from lowering its environmental regulations to attract
U.S. business.

William Reilly, EPA Administrator  NAFTA will protect the
environment by creating more wealth in Mexico.  Specific
proposals which would have allowed sanctions against products
manufactured in environmentally harmful ways were not included
because "negotiators could not agree on appropriate language."

Sen. John Danforth (R-MO) accused Democrats of "using
environmental and health standards as a guise for protectionism."

Sen. Bob Packwood (R-OR) Despite concerns about the environmental
impact, announced backing for NAFTA because Oregon is so heavily
dependent on international trade.  NAFTA "will create jobs and
opportunities for Oregon's goods and services."  The agreement
would not apply to whole logs cut from federal or state lands.

Rep. Les AuCoin (D-OR), Challenger for Packwood's Senate seat
"It's a sell-out treaty.  They are continuing a Reagan-Bush-
Packwood trade policy which puts America's head in the sand while
jobs are being exported to countries where labor is cheap and lax
environmental laws are exploited."

United Parcel Service    Will increase deliveries to Mexico
Nations Bank   Great potential for expanding lending and
investment.

Parsons Corp.  Expects to be designing everything from oil
refineries to sewage plants as Mexico modernizes.

Clean Up Technology will expand to Mexico now that threat of
nationalization is gone.

Proctor & Gamble    will create as many as 2,000 new jobs in the
U.S. due to increased exports of shampoo and deodorant.

Hewlett Packard     expects increased exports of high-tech
equipment.

Stockbrokers and Investors    Mexico's peso has risen as Mexico
is viewed as having "the most to gain long-term from freer
trade."  Creating trade is good because it allows each country to
specialize in those products in makes most efficiently.

Dirk Kempthorne, Boise Mayor, R-Senate Candidate  Has concerns
for Idaho's sugarbeet growers.  Urged that trade agreements be
made in the open "not settled in a back room."

Dan Quayle     Defended NAFTA to Idaho farmers and said, "It is
good for the U.S., it is good for Idaho, and it is good for you."

Carla Hills, USTR   Under NAFTA, fruit and vegetable growers
could maintain market order standards for quality and size
against Mexican imports.  Sugar and milk must originate in North
America, not just processing of another country's commodities.
Mexico would be encouraged to harmonize its pesticide laws with
those of the U.S. "U.S. grain growers will be the big winners."
Administration opposes taxing trade, even for environmental
cleanup. "Over 1 million Americans will owe their jobs to trade
with Mexico."

Rep. Richard Stallings (D-ID) Idaho growers gain little while
facing increased Mexican potato chips and flakes. NAFTA has the
risk of "severely hurting Idaho" due to sugar dumping.

An Veneman, Deputy Secty of Agriculture The Administration is "
satisfied that the agreement on sugar represents a balanced
package."

Rep. Kirka de la Garza (D-TX) House Ag Committee Chairman
Approves NAFTA overall, but criticized Bush for opposing a method
of funding roads, bridges and environmental cleanup along the
border.  "I truly believe lowering the trade barriers ... offers
significant benefits to most of agriculture."

Bill Clinton   Was in favor of NAFTA and "fast track" but is
avoiding taking a position as his union supporters oppose NAFTA.
Believes a fair trade agreement could have been reached.

Rep. Ron Wyden (D-OR) "Without better environmental protection
and worker adjustment, NAFTA will not deliver the economic growth
the Administration promises, and we might as well not do it."

Assorted Business Reports     Corn growers are the potential
winners.  Sugar, peanut and fruit and vegetable growers feel they
are being sacrificed.  Soy bean growers says NAFTA doesn't
address their needs.  Wheat growers are concerned about Canada
subsidies not addressed by NAFTA.  Pork people are guardedly
optimistic.  Meat markets look good.  Taiwan will encourage
investment in Mexico to take advantage of NAFTA.  Mexico has
presented Brazil with a Free Trade Agreement.

Larry Swisher, Columnist, Capital Press U.S. subsidiaries in
Mexico already buy a quarter of our exports there.  Wheat exports
should grow and prices rise.  Apples, pears, peaches and nut
markets will expand.  Exports of fresh vegetables will increase
during Mexico's off-season.  Dried bean exports will increase.
U.S. onion tariffs will be phased out.  Poultry exports should
grow.  Hog cholera and Newcastle disease will prevent Mexico from
exporting hogs and chickens.  Dairy exports should increase.

Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO) House Majority Leader     "I call
upon the Bush Administration to cease further efforts to win
congressional approval of the current NAFTA and to renegotiate it
- or leave it for the next administration to be written right."

Art Christiansen, NORPAC President Is concerned the U.S. market
will be flooded with low-cost vegetables, but sees NAFTA as a
long-term benefit.  Many food processors may take advantage of
Mexico's longer growing season to build plants there.

Natural Resources Defense Council  Mexico's hazardous waste
treatment and disposal capabilities are "currently inadequate to
handle the quantity and type of waste produced by foreign and
domestic industry."

Ron Leonard, Community Nutrition Institute   U.S. food safety
legislation will be weakened.  "Scientific evidence" and "to the
extent necessary to protect health" clauses will be open to
interpretation.

James Ledbetter, Village Voice     Denounced U.S. newspapers for
praising NAFTA without having seen the text.  States New York
could lose 500,000 jobs due to NAFTA.

Traci Romine, Greenpeace "This draft trade deal puts corporate
interests before the interests of citizens in our three nations.
Instead, we have an agreement that rewards polluters and cheats
our children.  The pesticide campaign states NAFTA will increase
pesticide use.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU