El6-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 20,1993
GUADALAJARA, ME The
President of the National Farmers
Union told farm leaders from
North, Central and South America
Thursday that U.S. fanners have
serious concerns about the pend
ing North American Free Trade
Agreement.
NFU President Leland Swen
son told those attending the Inter
national Federation of Agricultur
al Producers “Conference of the
Americas” that his concerns can
be lumped into four areas: the
effect of NAFTA on farm prices
and farm income; the potential
loss of jobs and industry from rur
al communities in the U.S.; the
possibility of food safety prob
lems and environmental problems.
“It is evident that increasing the
level of imports (into the U.S.)
will have a devastating effect on
producer prices,” said Swenson.
“Producers will face direct com
petition from Mexican producers
who enjoy lower input and labor
costs than U.S. farmers.”
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NFU Leader Issues NAFTA Concerns
The farm leader said sugar far
mers may be hit especially hard.
After visiting a Mexican sugar
cane processing plant Wednesday
where workers are paid $lO per
day, an average, Swenson asked
how the U.S. could compete if it
wants to maintain a suitable stan
dard of living for its people.
On the issue of job losses,
Swenson told the group the migra
tion of American companies to
Mexico has already begun.
“While our negotiators have
assured us that job losses resulting
from U.S. firms moving to Mex
ico will be minimal, we find it
ironic that already firms like
Excel, Conagra and others have
bought plants or are building
plants in Mexico,” he said.
Swenson said America’s far
mers also have great concerns
about import inspections at the
Mexico-U.S. border. He said there
are already reported cases of
bovine tuberculosis in Texas
because of lax live cattle inspec-
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lions. "What will happen if we
open our borders even wider?” he
asked.
The farm leader said those same
concerns are valid among con-
N.Y. Bull Test Under Way
ADDISON. N.Y. The
1992-1993 New York Bull Test
for beef bull.: of all breeds is off
and running well.
Seventy-three bulls of 12 diffe
rent breeds sliowcd up at the Cor
nell Teaching & Research Center
at Harford, N.Y., this fall, went
through their orientation warm
up, and have completed their first
28-day reporting period.
Three breeds have not partici
pated in this test recently. They
are RX-3, Salom, and Blonde
d’Aquitaine. Listed in order of
first weigh period gain by breed
are:
The Original And The Largest
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sumers who worry about the safe
ty of their food particularly when
it comes from nations with diffe
rent safety and environmental
standards.
Red Angus
Shorthorn
Angus
RX-3
Charolais
Simmental
Salers
Salorn
Gelbvieh
Polled Hereford
Hereford
Bond# d-Aqutan*
CONCRETE
SPECIALISTS
Top Bull
ADG
586
525
6.00
536
483
5.34
4.18
3.64
400
557
3.45
1.79
ShißaLoKen Farm has three
consigned Angus bulls, all of
which gained in excess of five
pounds per day with a high of
5.93.
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Swenson’s group has issued a
list of recommendations to the
new Clinton Administration
aimed at improving the agreement
before Congress is asked to ratify
it later this year.
Consignor
Ken Marquis, Ithaca, N.Y.
CloonLara Farm, Youngstown, N.Y.
Ballanlrao Angus Farm, Westfield, NY.
West Creek Cattle Co., Vidor. NY.
Cooper Charolais Farm, Windham, Maine
Fenton River Farm, Willmgton, Conn
New Age Cattle Co, New Berlin, N Y
New Age Cattle Co., New Berlin, N.Y.
Brandywine Farm, Freeport, Maine
Vallsy View Farm Faints, Buekhannon, WVa
Serendipity Farm, East Orland, Maine
Baker's Acres, Waddmgton, NY.
After 6:00 PM