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
Stream all the action from livestock shows across Rural America with your annual subscription only on RFD+
Ag Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson has referred to the proposal as “Farm Bill 2.0.”
In the U.S. and Canada, reduced planted acres—not yield losses—led to a decline in potato production, while Mexico saw modest gains due to increased yields and harvested areas.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney talks about the U.S. House’s latest vote to roll back tariffs on Canada and the ongoing discussions surrounding North American trade.
Alaska Congressman discusses his new role as Executive Vice Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus and his priorities for the West in the 119th Congress.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen discusses the EPA’s rescission of the 2009 endangerment finding on greenhouse gases and what it could mean for agriculture and rural America.

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:

Biofuel and corn producers await proposal as Renewable Fuels Association pushes for expanded ethanol access.
Lori Stevermer with the National Pork Producers Council reacts to the USDA’s speedline proposal, the new Farm Bill’s fix for California’s Prop-12, and other policy developments impacting the pork industry.
South Texas farmers say water shortages continue despite Mexico’s renewed payments under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Weskan Grain CEO Will Bramblett discusses the antitrust lawsuit filed by grain farmers and agribusinesses, and its potential implications on rail competition and market access.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney shares insight into Canada’s trade push in Mexico and what it could signal for agriculture and the USMCA moving forward.
Lawmakers request information from CEO Scott Stump over sponsorship concerns and potential implications for the organization’s nonprofit status.