YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

A deal is not worth much when one of the parties does not honor the terms.

Such is the case with Mexico and its 1944 Water Treaty with the United States.

The treaty requires Mexico to provide the U.S. with an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year over a five-year cycle. Unfortunately, Mexico has repeatedly waited until the end of the five-year cycle to fulfill its water contribution.

That doesn’t work for farmers, ranchers and communities dependent on water from the Rio Grande.

We know the strategy. Mexico hopes for a large rain event during the five years so that water can be delivered afterwards, but only then. In the meantime, Mexico utilizes the water stored in its reservoirs that should be delivered to the U.S.

Mexico’s stalling tactics means water shortages and severe hardship for South Texas.

The tactics must stop. Annual water delivery is critical.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a resolution in late November targeting the problem.

It’s time to put some teeth in the deal. The U.S. must force Mexico’s compliance with the treaty and gain commitments that water deliveries will be every year.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

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