Texas growers tell subcommittee Mexico's treaty deliveries forced last mill to close, call for enforcement and resources
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Summary
A representative of the Rio Grande Valley sugar growers told the subcommittee that Mexico has repeatedly failed to deliver treaty water, causing the closure of a 51-year-old sugar mill and widespread agricultural harm; growers asked Congress and the State Department to strengthen enforcement and fund infrastructure.
Jennifer Shifontis, representing the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers of Santa Rosa, Texas, told the subcommittee that four years of shortfalls in treaty water deliveries from Mexico have forced the cooperative mill to close and harmed regional agriculture.
Why it matters: The witness said Mexico failed to deliver roughly 350,000 acre-feet annually over four years and currently owes over 1,000,000 acre-feet under the 1944 water treaty, contributing to farm closures and lost production that affect U.S. food security and local economies.
Shifontis said the cooperative’s 51-year-old sugar mill closed in February 2024 because Mexican water deliveries stopped, affecting nearly 100 family farmers, 500 mill employees and thousands more in ancillary jobs. She told the committee that Mexico had held and used reservoir water while denying U.S. deliveries and urged Congress to require stronger enforcement mechanisms, more frequent reporting from the State Department, and additional resources for the International Boundary and Water Commission to improve regional water infrastructure.
She thanked the subcommittee for 2024 disaster aid and for actions taken to deny Mexico Colorado River deliveries in response to the shortfalls, and urged continued congressional action during FY2026 appropriations.
Ending: The witness asked the subcommittee to institutionalize treaty-enforcement policies and provide resources to regional agencies; no formal committee action occurred at the hearing.