Pesticides: Differences in U.S. and Mexican Pesticide Standards and Enforcement

摘要

Agricultural imports from Mexico account for nearly one-half of all the fresh andfrozen fruits and vegetables exported to the United States. These Mexican exports also account for nearly 44 percent of the total amount of Mexican agricultural exports to the United States. If current free trade negotiations between the United States and Mexico are completed successfully, the level of imported Mexican produce (fresh fruits and vegetables) may increase significantly. This anticipated rise has heightened concern that pesticide levels on Mexican produce may exceed U.S. limits if growers attempt to maximize production with these new opportunities for agricultural exports. Currently, the United States, Mexico, and Canada are negotiating a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to increase trade among the three countries. According to an official involved in the negotiations, pesticide standards play an important role in free trade discussions. Free trade, by definition, abolishes many traditional barriers to trade, such as tariffs and quotas. Therefore, there is concern that countries will turn to less traditional import barriers, such as pesticide standards that are unnecessarily high and not scientifically based, to block trade. Whether or not a NAFTA agreement is signed, pesticide standards on produce will most likely play a more important role in trade discussions as imports from Mexico and other countries continue to increase. jg p.3.