SUMMARY OF AGRICULTURAL ISSUES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85M00364R000400510017-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: April 14, 2008
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: July 29, 1983
• Content Type: REPORT

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r r Approved For Release 2008/04/14: CIA-RDP85MOO364R00040051001
Summary of Agricultural Issues
Mexican Trade Restrictions: Most U.S. agricultural products,
other than basic necessities-imported by CONASUPO, the Mexican
Government's food supply agency, face severely restricted
access to the Mexican market. Since Mexico is not a member of
GATT, import duties are frequently charged and are often set at
high levels. Furthermore, Mexico requires prior import
licenses for virtually all agricultural imports. By failing to
make the licenses available, Mexico effectively limits the
quantities of imports considered competitive or non-essential.
This is also in keeping with Mexican policy to restrict imports
to combat its economic crisis.
Citrus Canker: USDA banned U.S. imports of Mexican citrus in
July 1982 with the detection of an outbreak of citrus canker in
Mexico. In January, U.S. import regulations were modified to
allow Mexican citrus to enter the U.S. under precautions
necessary to protect the U.S. citrus industry. Since that time
regulations governing the entry of Mexican citrus into the U.S.
have been progressively liberalized, and we expect further
liberalization if no new outbreaks of citrus canker occur. The
USDA has been working closely with its counterparts in Mexico
on citrus canker, and a joint two-year research agenda has been
adopted. The Government of Mexico has, however, delivered a
note protesting the import restrictions to the U.S. State
Department.
Table Grapes: California's table grapes are subject to minimum
quality requirements under a U.S. marketing order. In October
1982, Section 608e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937 was amended to make imported table grapes subject to
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the same order. As a result, from Ma ... ug h gu ~i
imports of Mexican grapes will be subject to the same quality
standards as grapes from California's Coachella Valley.'
GSM-102 Financing: On February 16, 1983, Secretary Block
signed the 1983 agricultural. supply agreement with Mexico. The
agreement provides $1.7 billion in credit guarantees from
USDA's Commodity Credit Corportation (CCC) under the GSM-102
program for sales of agricultural products abroad. $520
million of this amount has been set aside for use in the first
quarter of FY 1984. On July 20, the Budget Review Board
decided to defer to the President on Mexico's request for $500
million in additional CCC credits for FY 1983. Ambassador
Gavin, Treasury, USDA and State had supported the increase and
the matter is now before the President for decision.
Dairy Donations: Under Section 416 of the Agricultural Act of
1949 (as-amended), the CCC has donated 20,000 metric tons of
non-fat dry milk, 6,460 tons of butter oil and 4,000 tons of
cheese to Mexico for food asssistance to the needy. An
additional 577 tons of dairy products were donated to private
voluntary agencies and another 4,700 metric tons donation is
pending U.S approval. July 29, 1983
UNCLASSIFIED
Approved For Release 2008/04/14: CIA-RDP85M00364R000400510017-7