More on Mexican Trucking

More on Mexican Trucking. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

It appears that things will be getting back to somewhat more normal when it comes to trucking northwest products to Mexico according to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack.

VILSACK: Well the Department of Transportation entered into a long term but I think a successful negotiation with the Mexican government. Obviously everyone is concerned about making sure that the highways and byways of the United States are safe and that means having folks that are coming across the border operating trucks that have proper safety equipment and that the drivers themselves are fully aware of the rules of the road, willing to follow them and understand the English language.

Washington Congressman Doc Hastings though says we really back where we started so I asked Secretary Vilsack what was different.

VILSACK: The difference was that now we have assurances that the equipment that they will be driving and using is meeting safety standards that are appropriate. We have the assurance that the drivers have appropriate safety records. We assured that people understand the rules of the road and understand the language. These are all very, very important considerations.

And how about efforts to get back some of those lost markets?

VILSACK: We are seeing a rather robust effort this year in 2011. We’re seeing exports increased in Mexico from the United States. When we see these tariffs reduced then our products basically sell themselves whether it’s apple or fruits or vegetables from Washington State or any other state, the American brand is well known and well respected in Mexico.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.