In the framework of a longstanding, solid and productive relationship, representatives of Canada, Mexico and the United States met for the 9^th meeting of the States/Provinces Agricultural Accord in Salt Lake City, Utah July 15-17, 1999. The host of the meeting was the Utah Department of Agriculture, whose Commissioner, Mr. Cary Peterson, is President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The Mexican Delegation was headed by Mr. Jaime Rodriguez Lopez, President of the Mexican Association of State Departments of Agricultural Development. The Canadian Delegation was headed by Mr.Eric Upshall, Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Province of Saskatchewan.

The Accord meeting agreed on common objectives covering a number of important issues which will arise during the Seattle Ministerial for the next WTO negotiating round, and the Accord leaders signed joint letters to each of the federal trade and agricultural ministers in their respective countries urging the adoption of that strategy.

A new Accord structure, involving three bilateral working groups, as well as the possibility of trilateral study groups, was also adopted, and it was agreed that the leaders of each of the three delegations would report to each other by the first of October defining the manner in which they intend to implement this structure, and the staff resources which will be committed to its effective implementation.

An organizational meeting of an Advisory Group to the new Canada/U.S. Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) agreed to utilize the bilateral working group established under the umbrella of the Accord as the Advisory Group to the CCA, and to so communicate to the Federal officials concerned.

The accord passed a resolution urging the responsible Federal officials to support an intensified effort to control Mediterranean Fruit fly in the State of Chiapas, and to support and recognize the key role of state-level staff and resources in fruit fly control programs.

It was agreed that ongoing working group efforts in such areas as red meat trade, crop and livestock harmonization between the U.S. and Canada, and fruit preclearance programs would be continued under the new bilateral working group structure.

Other important issues raised during the meeting included:

• The importance of harmonizing food inspection rules and regulations for food quality and safety in all North America; and
• The crucial need for raised education and information with respect to biotechnology.

The Tenth Annual Meeting of the States/Provinces Agricultural Accord will take place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, during July 2000.

Cary Peterson, President, NASDA
Jaime Rodriguez Lopez, President, AMSDA
Eric Upshall, MP, Leader, Canadian Delegation

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