02/12/08 Schafer says 'no' to NAFTA sugar negotiations

US and Mexican sugar producers have made some recommendations to their governments regarding sugar policy under the North American Free Trade Agreement. US Agriculture Secretary Ed Shafer and US Trade Representative Susan Schwab looked at those proposals then they rejected them. SCHAFER "To do what they want you'd have to reopen the NAFTA negotiations." Schafer says to reopen the NAFTA talks would be like opening a can of worms. SCHAFER "Not only would you by trying to renegotiate agreements on sugar that have been agreed to by our governments but you'd also be getting into pork and beef and many other issues that are traded between our two countries." Schafer says final tariff eliminations took place on January first as planned and he claims the US can build on success that's already been achieved. SCHAFER "Even before January first the integration of our sweetener markets was well underway as US tariffs on Mexican sugar had increased to low levels." US agricultural exports to Mexico have increased by 7.3 billion dollars since the implementation of the agreement. Schafer and Schwab say sugar producers can work within the existing policy framework like other commodity groups have done to address any threats of disruption. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott