North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations resume again in April. Mexican trade officials are hoping to complete several chapters of the pact, including the technical barriers to trade. Nebraska Cattlemen Association’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs Jessie Herrmann says if that could be accomplished, it would be beneficial for agriculture in all three countries.

NAFTA negotiators from the U.S., Canada and Mexico have closed six chapters and four annexes so far. However, elections are coming up this year in each of those nations, which will likely slow the talks.

She says since NAFTA went into effect in 1993, the impact on the U.S. beef industry has been positive.

The NAFTA discussions aren’t likely to be completed by the end of the year.