TOP PROVINCIAL AND STATE AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS MEET IN
WASHINGTON TO DISCUSS TRADE ISSUES

February 26, 2001 (Washington, D.C.) – Agriculture officials from thirteen northern states and eight Canadian provinces met on February 23 under the auspices of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord to discuss trade. The meeting, the latest in the series of twice-yearly exchanges, was hosted by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Officials opened the meeting with presentations to Federal officials of the Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) regarding concerns of farmers on both sides of the border ranging from inspection barriers to potato trade to harmonization of pesticide rules and pricing. Federal officials reported on efforts to resolve issues in such areas as the movement of cattle and grain trade since the CCA was established in December, 1998. State and provincial officials reviewed progress in both countries toward establishing cattle identification systems, and set out a work plan for further regional cooperation and issue resolution.

The meeting is part of the Tri-National Accord process, which is an agreement among the top U.S., Canadian and Mexican officials at the state and provincial level to cooperate in seeking solutions to agricultural concerns of regional importance. At the invitation of the CCA, the U.S./Canadian Accord Working Group also functions as a formal Provincial-State Advisory Group (PSAG), raising agricultural trade issues with the Federal agricultural and trade departments of the two countries.

"Dialogue between the U.S. states, Canadian Provinces and our Federal counterparts is critical to resolving trade issues," explained Patrick Takasugi, Director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and chair of the U.S. side of PSAG. "This meeting was very useful for communicating our trade priorities to the federal officials responsible for negotiating agreements. The record participation from States and Provinces is evidence of the growing importance of this forum for U.S. agricultural trade."

Paul Robichaud, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture for the Province of New Brunswick, led the Canadian delegation. "These meetings are an important step in the process of finding common ground, as well as in dealing with trade irritants before they escalate into border disruptions. The PSAG process helps us to learn from each other and to find solutions to our common problems."

Execution of the work plan agreed to at this meeting will set the stage for another bilateral exchange among top state and provincial officials at the next annual Tri-National Accord meeting, currently scheduled to take place in Manzanillo, Mexico, September 6-8, 2001.

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