Agricultural Stewardship Block Grant Program

June 27, 2002

NASDA Tri-National Agricultural Accord
U.S./Canada Working Group

Dear Colleagues:

At the Accord meeting in Nogales, we heard a good deal about the country of origin provisions of the new Farm Bill, particularly as they might affect cross-border trade in meat and livestock. In the U.S. – Canada Work Plan, we agreed to examine this issue along with our Canadian counterparts.

We are proposing to meet with them on July 25. In order to coordinate and work with producer organizations so they understand we're not collaborating with the Canadians to undermine the new law in its implementation, I am inviting representatives from R-CALF, the National Pork Council, the National Farm Bureau, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, American Sheep Industry, the National Farmer's Union and the National Chicken Council to meet with us on the afternoon of July 24. This will enable us to incorporate their views concerning implementation of the country of origin labeling requirement for meat products in our deliberations. On the 25th, we will invite experts in to give us an idea of the volume and pattern of trade in beef, pork and lamb products between the United States and Canada in both directions, as well as USDA representatives to listen to and if appropriate, participate in the discussion. We will then proceed to have an open dialogue with our Canadian counterparts about such issues as labeling for meat products partially produced on both sides of the border.

The meeting with industry representatives will take place from 2:30 to 5:30 pm on July 24. We are inviting the Canadians to meet with us from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on July 25. Both meetings will take place at the Radisson O’Hare Hotel near O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. If you are planning attend the meeting on the 24th, or will need to arrive the night before for the meeting on the 25th, you can make a hotel reservation at the Radisson O’Hare Hotel in the NASDA room block for $109.00 (1-800-333-3333).

Please contact Dan Conable (dconable@dreamscape.com) to let us know if you or a representative of your Department is planning to attend the meeting on the afternoon of the 24th or the meeting on the 25th.

Sincerely,

Ralph Peck
U.S. Chair, Accord U.S./Canada Working Group

Enclosure: NASDA policy on Country of Origin



	June 27, 2002 NASDA Tri-National Agricultural Accord U.S./Canada Working Group Dear Colleagues: At the Accord meeting in Nogales, we heard a good deal about the country of origin provisions of the new Farm Bill, particularly as they might affect cross-border trade in meat and livestock. In the U.S. – Canada Work Plan, we agreed to examine this issue along with our Canadian counterparts. We are proposing to meet with them on July 25. In order to coordinate and work with producer organizations so they understand we're not collaborating with the Canadians to undermine the new law in its implementation, I am inviting representatives from R-CALF, the National Pork Council, the National Farm Bureau, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, American Sheep Industry, the National Farmer's Union and the National Chicken Council to meet with us on the afternoon of July 24. This will enable us to incorporate their views concerning implementation of the country of origin labeling requirement for meat products in our deliberations. On the 25th, we will invite experts in to give us an idea of the volume and pattern of trade in beef, pork and lamb products between the United States and Canada in both directions, as well as USDA representatives to listen to and if appropriate, participate in the discussion. We will then proceed to have an open dialogue with our Canadian counterparts about such issues as labeling for meat products partially produced on both sides of the border. The meeting with industry representatives will take place from 2:30 to 5:30 pm on July 24. We are inviting the Canadians to meet with us from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm on July 25. Both meetings will take place at the Radisson O’Hare Hotel near O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. If you are planning attend the meeting on the 24th, or will need to arrive the night before for the meeting on the 25th, you can make a hotel reservation at the Radisson O’Hare Hotel in the NASDA room block for $109.00 (1-800-333-3333). Please contact Dan Conable (dconable@dreamscape.com) to let us know if you or a representative of your Department is planning to attend the meeting on the afternoon of the 24th or the meeting on the 25th. Sincerely, Ralph Peck U.S. Chair, Accord U.S./Canada Working Group Enclosure: NASDA policy on Country of Origin