Mexico's CNC Protests Bean Imports

WASHINGTON - Feb 7/07 - SNS -- Mexico's Agricultural Workers' Confederation (CNC) contends that dry edible bean producers in Mexico face difficult times if the current imports and 'technical smuggling' (using false information through Customs, claiming lower production costs or switching the product's origin to avoid duties) continue without a countervailing strategy, according to a recent report from the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

Cruz Lopez, president of the CNC, claimed that 40% of the beans consumed in Mexico fall under this category, jeopardizing one million MT of domestic production.

According to Lopez, the Mexican government should shift its current policy and actively support the agricultural workers through programs that enhance organization, training, infrastructure development, financing, commercialization and insurance.

"We're just running the risk without a loss-compensation mechanism, and there are no incentives to increase the grower's productivity", stated Lopez, who again requested to renegotiate the agricultural chapter of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

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