The National Potato Council is skeptical about the new U.S. Mexico Agreement.
Earlier this week, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced U.S. potatoes would be allowed into the Mexican market no later than May 15th.
The Potato Council says they will believe it when they see it because the dispute has been going on for 25 years and it keeps taking turn after turn. Kam Quarles says he wants to see a lot of movement on Mexico’s part between now and mid-May.
“It may be a number of months if not years before we truly know that this market is open because our competitors have, even though some of their options may be coming more limited, their interest in keeping us out of their market, I don’t think that’s declined at all.”
Quarles says it is clear Secretary Vilsack is committed to getting the issue resolved and hopes the inspection of U.S. facility this month will be the final hurdle.
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