Mexico Resumes Water Payments Under 1944 Treaty, But Shortfalls Persist for Texas Producers

RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (RFD NEWS) — After years of delays, Mexico has begun making water payments to the United States under the terms of a 1944 water treaty. However, farmers say the amount of water delivered still falls short of requirements.

In an exclusive interview, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey what it took to pressure the Mexican government to resume payments under the agreement.

McCaffrey takes us to Texas to speak with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about the issue, where Sen. Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) emphasized that water access and treaty compliance remain major concerns for producers.

Both lawmakers believe water will be a significant topic during this year’s review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which President Donald Trump recently called “irrelevant.”

That review process is scheduled to begin this summer.

Related Stories
Several fires have merged into Kansas’ largest active wildfire as crews continue battling shifting winds and dry conditions.
The Texas Agriculture Commissioner says crews are still working to contain fires while farmers and ranchers begin assessing damage.
Volunteer firefighters describe devastating scenes as crews continue battling multiple fires across the region.
Conservation programs may work better when they recognize yield risk and cash-flow pressure during adoption.

RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey covers news from Texas, in the US-Mexico border region. He has provided in-depth coverage of immigration, the 2021 Texas freeze, the arrival of the New World screwworm, and Mexico’s water debt owed under a 1944 treaty.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Trucking industry expert Lewie Pugh joins us to discuss rising diesel costs, challenges facing independent truckers, and the broader impact on agriculture and rural transportation.
The White House is reportedly moving forward with beef import tariff reductions as officials look to lower food costs for consumers.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss the latest developments surrounding the Trump/Xi summit, what the negotiations could mean for U.S. agriculture, and
trade enforcement concerns.