07/17/07 Apples in Mexico Part 2

Apples in Mexico Part 2. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. During last week's trade mission to Mexico, Governor Christine Gregoire and members of the tree fruit industry sat down with key Mexican trade officials to see if something could be done about the stiff tariff that is imposed on Washington Red and Golden Delicious apples. GREGOIRE: It's not good for the consumer here in Mexico and it sure isn't good for our growers at home. Gregoire says they are trying to get the Mexican officials to see that this is an old issue. GREGOIRE: And that is based on a case that began over 11 years ago in which the claim by producers in Mexico was an anti-dumping claim and that's what I mean by the facts are cold. Because even if it did occur, which we deny it did, that's almost 12 years ago. While nothing concrete was agreed to, Gregoire says they have someone who is now going to look into the issue. GREGOIRE: I met with the Under-Secretary actually who is by training a lawyer and was practicing in this area and so was familiar with this and she has made a commitment to us that she will help and so what we're going to do is to put the case together that shows that the domestic market in Mexico is not meeting the consumer demand of Mexico and therefore there's not reason from a competitive standpoint to be concerned about Washington Golden and Red Delicious apples coming into Mexico. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.