Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced the introduction of the “WATER for Farmers Act” on May 13, legislation designed to address repeated water delivery shortfalls by Mexico under the 1944 Water Treaty and support agricultural producers in South Texas.
According to Senator Cornyn, the water shortages have had significant economic consequences for Texas farmers, ranchers, processors, and rural communities. He cited impacts that include the closure of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers mill and the loss of hundreds of jobs in the region.
The proposed legislation would establish annual water delivery benchmarks and create enforcement mechanisms if Mexico fails to meet its treaty obligations. Under the bill, tariffs could be imposed when compliance requirements are not met. The legislation would also provide compensation assistance to agricultural producers affected by water shortages.
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) and the Texas Vegetable Association (TVA), working alongside Texas Farm Bureau and Texas Citrus Mutual, assisted in drafting portions of the legislative language. The organizations said they continue to advocate for solutions to protect Texas agriculture and ensure reliable water deliveries for the region.
In a statement, the groups expressed appreciation for Senator Cornyn’s efforts, saying they “thank Senator Cornyn and his team for the continued leadership and unwavering support of South Texas agriculture and the produce industry.”
The WATER for Farmers Act represents a federal legislative effort to address ongoing concerns about treaty water deliveries and their impact on agricultural operations and rural economies in South Texas.
