Page 10
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Fruit
and vegetable growers are keeping
a wary eye on free trade negotia
tions with Mexico, fearing compe
tition could mean declining profits
Trade negotiations leave
produce growers wary
for U.S. producers.
“Anybody who grows (pro
duce), or who works for growers
has a considerable stake in this
matter,” said John McClung of the
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable
Association.
Wayne Showers, president of
Griffin and Brand Inc. in Texas’
Rio Grande Valley, one of the
country’s largest produce growers
and importers, said “there will be
some serious competition here on
certain fruits and vegetables.”
The industry fears, and a gov
ernment study confirms, that U.S.
growers could face significant
competition from Mexican pro
duce, harvested with far cheaper
labor, if tariffs and other trade
barriers are lifted under a free
trade agreement.
But producers of fruits or vege
tables not widely grown in Mexico
are enthusiastic about opportuni
ties for sales in a country of 85 mil
lion people.
“Mexico does represent a mar
ket of considerable magnitude, but
we just don’t know how much,”
McClung said. “It certainly isn’t as
attractive a market as the United
States. There are plenty of mouths
to feed down there, but you don’t
have the dollars to make the pur
chases.”
The Bush administration hopes
to begin formal negotiations with
Mexico this spring and conclude
the talks by the end of the year.
Showers, whose company has
had operations in Mexico for
nearly 40 years, predicted that la
bor-intensive crops would be most
affected by a free trade agreement
because a Mexican farm worker
earns in one day what a U.S. farm
worker earns in 60 to 90 minutes.
U.S. producers, unlike their
Mexican counterparts, also must
provide workers’ compensation in
surance and abide by regulations
that cut into their profits, Showers
said.
Workers’ compensation insur
ance costs for his company have
risen from $250,000 five years ago
to $1.3 million last year, Showers
said.
But the cost of doing business in
Mexico isn’t cheap, he said, noting
that freight costs, herbicides and
insecticides there are more expen
sive than in the United States.
A study by the International
Trade Commission found that the
elimination of trade barriers
would generate a significant in
crease in U.S. imports from Mex
ico and a moderate increase in
U.S. exports to Mexico.
“Mexican producers are able to
supply the U.S. market with many
of the same products grown or
processed in the United States at
much lower costs. This is partic
ularly true for citrus crops and
winter vegetables that are man
ually harvested,” the study said.
That would likely mean losses
for U.S. growers, particularls
those in California, Florida and
other warm climate states who
compete directly with products
during the same growing season in
Mexico, the study said.
And, according to the study,
U.S. processors also are expected
to suffer losses.
A senior U.S. trade official said
recently that it’s a “fair assump
tion” that any free trade
agreement would have safeguards
to deal with market disruptions
when growing seasons on both
sides of the border coincide.
“We need to have some way of
dealing with that,” said the official,
who spoke on condition of ano
nymity.
Vol. 90 t
lovi
Recreational Sports
AMU
sponsored by
McDonald's
McDonald’s
1 troops
order Mor
Mickey D’s Arcade
TM
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■America
Monday^ February 18> 1991
portions s
■nes a fit
This Weeds'
Game Plan
Monday,
February 18
□ Entries for Horseshoe
Singles and Weekend
Racquetball Tourna
ment open today at
8:00 a.m. in the Recre
ational Sports Office.
Tuesday,
February 19
□ Registration closes
for Free Throw, 8-Ball
Doubles, and Slam
Dunk.
Wednesday,
February 20
□ Slam Dunk Prelimi
naries are tonight at
7:30 on the Main Floor
in G. Rollie White.
Thursday,
February 21
□ 8-Ball Doubles
brackets posted today
at 1:00 p.m.
Saturday,
February 23
□ 8-Ball Doubles Tour
nament today.
TIM BYRD/Rec Sports
Going for 'three'.
Next Week....
The following events are
OPENING on Monday, February 25!
Innertube Water Polo Badminton Singles
Entry Fee: $20.00 Free!
Outdoor Volleyball Triples
Entry Fee: 20.00
The following events are
CLOSING on Tuesday, February 26!
Horseshoe Singles
Free!
Weekend Racquetball Tournament
Free!
TIM BYRD/Rec Sports
Pictured above is the 1991 TAMU Judo Team. The Judo Team will
represent Texas A&M in the National Collegiate Championship.
TAMU Outdoors
“E A,!®. (ID,
To sign up for any of the TAMU Outdoor adventures,
stop in at the Recreational Sports Office in 159 Read
Building. If you have any questions concerning the
TAMU Outdoors program, feel free to call Patsy at 845-
7826.
Backpacking: Registration continues this week for an exciting
backpacking adventure! Join TAMU Outdoors in exploring
Turkey Hill Wilderness located near the northeastern comer of
Angelina National Forest. Enjoy the wild beauty of East Texas,
its striking terrain, diverse plant life, and forestland. The $45
($50 for non A&M) fee for this backpacking adventure includes transportation,
rental of camping equipment, backpack, food and experienced guides. This trip is
geared for the beginning and intermediate backpacker. Entries close TODAY!
Canoeing: Enjoy paddling the beautiful and scenic San Marcos River! The water
remains a constant 72 year-round and this lush, almost tropical environment plays
host to a wide variety of plants and animals. The $25 ($30 for non A&M) fee for this
outing includes transportation, rental of canoes, instruction while on the river and
experienced guides. This trip is geared to the beginning canoeist and is limited to
12 participants. Registration ends next Monday!
Spring Break Adventure in Colorado: Enjoy spring break away from it all in the
heart of the Rocky Mountains! We will spend the week rock climbing, cross country
skiing, mountain biking, and hiking in the Colorado back country. These activities
will be geared to various skill levels and instruction is included. No previous
experience is required. The lodge at Outpost Wilderness Adventures is situated at
9,000 feet near Lake George, CO and is surrounded by the Pike National Forest and
Lost Creek Wilderness. All you need to bring is yourself and a few personal items.
For $395 ($420 for non-A&M), this adventure includes transportation, lodging,
meals, all equipment, instruction, and guides. Registration has already begun and
lasts until February 28. This trip is limited to 10 participants so sign up soon in the
Recreational Sports Ofice in 159 Read Building. For more information, please call
Patsy at 845-7826.
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TIM BYRD/RecSports
Annie Godwin and David Walvoord were winners of the First Annual
Sweetheart Run. Thier combined time was 26:05 which was only:!
off of their predicted time of 26:15. They were awarded Intramuni]
Champion T-shirts, dinner for 2 at Red Lobster, a floral arrangemm
from University Flowers and a male/female manicure and stylefroui\
Benefield & Company Hair Design.
Spring Break Special
TAMU Outdoors is running a special on selected outdoor rental
equipment during Spring Break (March 11-15). Outdoor recreatioj|
equipment is available to all Texas A&M students, faculty, s
spouses, and to the Bryan/College Station community. Equip!
ment reservations can be made in person by stopping in at 159 Reafl]
Building. Fees must be paid in full at the time of reservation.
Karen
and hi
Photographs
Available
Have you seen a Rec Sports Photographer tal
ing your picture or seen a picture you like? Yot
can order any photograph on file at the
Sports Office in 159 Read Building. The costfoi
a 5 x 7 is $2.00 and an 8 x 10 is $3.00.
Acknowlegements
Texas
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McDonald's® Rec Sports Highlights is sponsored by your local
McDonald's® Restaurant at University Drive, Manor East Mall, Hwy
21, Texas Ave. at SW Parkway and Post Oak Mall. This ad is a
creation of Jason C. Rogers and Judy Steffes. Photographs are by Rec
Sports photographers.
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