Issues to Watch
USMCA & 1944 US Mexico 1944 Water Treaty:
We need to tie the water treaty to the USMCA to enforce the treaty’s water-sharing provisions between the U.S. and Mexico. Mexico has repeatedly failed to deliver the water owed to the United States under the 1944 treaty, despite recent negotiations in which they committed to compliance. Over the years, Mexico has diverted water rightly owed to the United States, increasing its onion acreage, and unfairly competing with U.S. growers. While this situation is evolving, we believe tying the treaty to the USMCA will provide the necessary teeth to ensure Mexico continues to comply with its water delivery obligations.
Panama Free Trade Agreement
While we are operating under a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Panama, Panama is not following the agreement. It is imposing regulations such as not accepting U.S. onions (at current time) more than 75 days after harvest. The number of days has fluctuated in the past year many times and windows that onions can be imported into the country which has caused to U.S. growers to lose money and product. More recently, Panama has refused to unload over 11 containers of onions from the United States for no apparent reason.
Establishing a per-bag fee on imported Mexican onions
Mexican onions are produced for less than the cost of U.S. onions, giving them a built-in trading advantage. A per-bag fee (from $3 to $5) would help level the playing field and protect the competitiveness of U.S. growers.
- It will help offset inequitable labor and regulatory cost differences.
- Mexico exports onions to the U.S. less than the cost of our production.
- Will support the long-term economic sustainability of U.S. onion growers.
- And, reinforce the integrity and safety of the domestic food supply chain.
The NOA believes this action is a fair and necessary component of a balanced USMCA framework. By incorporating a measured import fee, the United States can maintain free trade while ensuring that imported products compete under comparable conditions.
Immigration and Labor
Farmers and shippers /packers need a reliable and dependable, skilled workforce. Agriculture work is challenging and often seasonable with transit labor needed.
More often than not we cannot find American workers to work in agriculture.
NOA supports immigration reform; a complete immigration reform bill consisting of 3 core principles:
- Stopping illegal immigration;
- Providing a dignified solution for immigrants living in America who have been working in the agriculture sector;
- and, strengthening the American workforce and economy.
NOA is in favor of legislation to freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR).
The Dept of Labor has not only frozen but has actually lowered required wage rates on certain job descriptions, as well as further reducing the wage rate to reflect the employers’ costs of housing the employees.
- Require the employee to pay for his/her own transportation to the U.S.
- Lower the fee structure to access the program.
Foreign Supplier Verification Program
NOA continues to meet with FDA and USDA to discuss the FSVP. This program puts the exact same regulations on imported crops coming into the U.S. as U.S. growers have to comply with however, NOA has serious doubts whether the rules are being enforced equally on these imports. When invasive plants and species are found in imported crops, it should not be left up to the states to identify, interdict, and quarantine. Imported food coming into the U.S. must be verified safe for the U.S. consuming public. This is a federal government responsibility, especially as it applies to Mexico.
Crop Protection
The EPA must understand that we are losing access to agriculture chemicals faster than we are getting new technologies. Farmers must have the tools to grow and protect crops. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) must be protected and scientifically applied.
Inter-regional Research Project No. 4 or (IR-4) — NOA strongly supports the IR-4 Project. This program was created in 1963 by the USDA and land-grant universities to ensure that specialty crop farmers have legal access to safe and effective crop protection products. Without this vital program, it would be next to impossible to collect the data necessary to get chemicals approved for minor crops that protect plants from pests and diseases. Minor crops refer to nearly all crops except for cotton, corn, soybeans, and grain crops such as wheat, oats, and rice.
