Sacramento, California

Continuing a long-standing province/state relationship among Mexico, Canada, and the United States (U.S.), the State of California hosted the 15th annual meeting of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Sacramento on April 13-16, 2005. Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors, Ministers and senior government officials from 8 Canadian provinces, 28 U.S. states and 16 Mexican states worked together to improve understanding and strengthen collaboration among the agricultural sectors of the three NAFTA countries.

As host of the 2005 Accord, the Hon. A.G. Kawamura, California Secretary of Agriculture welcomed the delegations of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord and emphasized the importance of agriculture to the Golden State.

The U.S. delegation was headed by the Hon. Nathan L. Rudgers, Commissioner of the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets and President of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). The Canadian delegation was headed by the Hon. Rosann Wowchuk, Deputy Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives for the Province of Manitoba. The Mexican delegation was headed by the Hon. Silvano Aureoles, Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock Development in the State of Michoacan and AMSDA President.

Commissioner Rudgers welcomed the delegations and emphasized the importance of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America announced by the elected leaders of our respective countries in March 2005. He invited the delegates to work together in order to promote complementary markets and a closer relationship with producers.

The delegates visited the Culinary Institute of America and learned about trends in nutrition relating to health and how agriculture can take the lead in increasing healthy food choices through enhanced production. Delegates learned about California’s wine-producing region and had the opportunity to meet with producers.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
As agreed to last year, the delegates participated in a tri-lateral rural development workshop at this year’s Accord. The delegates heard overviews of rural development in each country and emphasized that rural development principles can be applied to the North American region.

U.S. / CANADA
The U.S./Canada Working Group meeting was co-chaired by Minister Wowchuk and the Hon. Patrick A. Takasugi, Idaho Secretary of Agriculture. The U.S. and Canadian delegation began their meeting with reports from federal officials on the activities and accomplishments of the U.S./Canada Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA). The report covered a range of issues including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and other animal health issues, the year round movement of feeder cattle, pesticide harmonization, Canadian Ministerial Exemptions, seed lab certification, bioterrorism, biotechnology and nutritional labeling.

Delegates agreed to continue working toward harmonization of animal health standards, livestock feed regulations and risk mitigation measures in relation to BSE. There was consensus to maintain a science-based approach in the development of animal health policies. Acknowledging the work that has been done, the U.S. delegation highlighted the need to resolve further long-standing animal disease issues on bluetongue, anaplasmosis, tuberculosis and brucellosis.

Delegates agreed to urge senior federal officials to further pesticide harmonization particularly in the areas of pricing, maximum residue limits, availability and common labeling. New Brunswick and Maine committed to address rail transportation concerns that have resulted from the Bioterrorism Act. Delegates have agreed to share information related to invasive species. Ontario and New York will encourage producers to examine joint wine promotion and marketing opportunities. Agreement was reached to monitor the impact of country of origin labeling at the state level, such as the new State legislation in Montana. The delegates agreed to meet on a regional basis to advance discussions on apple marketing opportunities. Delegates requested further clarification on Ministerial Exemptions and Marketing Orders.

U.S. / MEXICO
The U.S./Mexico Working Group meeting was co-chaired by Secretary Aureoles and the Hon. Miley Gonzalez, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture. The U.S. and Mexican delegations were given an update from federal officials on accomplishments in U.S. and Mexico trade, the Consultative Committee on Agriculture, and the recently announced Security and Prosperity Partnership. As part of that Partnership, an agriculture working group at the federal level will be looking at lab cooperation, border enforcement and labeling requirements. Baja California provided an update on the Border Governors’ Agriculture Work Table. New Mexico reported at the Work Table that a bioterrorism exercise is planned on animal and plant heath issues and food safety with full support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Mexican counterparts. In the review of the results of the rural development workshop, both delegations noted the importance of this issue for the region. Delegates reviewed the 2004-2005 work plan, and agreed to continue work on harmonization in animal health policies, including animal identification, and plant health policies.

The Mexican delegation followed up on the organic products issue and indicated that the Mexican legislative branch is currently working on a new initiative that will be completed within the year. There was agreement by the delegates to set up a working group on child nutrition. Other issues addressed were farm labor reform, renewable fuels and biomass.

MEXICO / CANADA
The Mexico / Canada Working Group meeting was co-chaired by Secretary Aureoles and Minister Wowchuk. The Mexican and Canadian delegations were given an update from senior federal officials on the progress of the Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) to serve as a bilateral mechanism to coordinate and monitor implementation of the Framework on Agricultural Cooperation (FAC) work plan. It was noted that a meeting will take place in Ottawa in the spring of 2005 to further advance the work plan.

The delegates reviewed the 2004-2005 work plan and exchanged information on a variety of issues. The Canadian and Mexican delegations expressed concerns regarding Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) in the U.S. and agreed to continue monitoring any new developments.

There was considerable discussion on the issue of harmonization and trade remedy policies, particularly with respect to how these policies affect Canada and Mexico. Delegates formed a working group to prepare a letter to address these concerns. Canadian and Mexican delegates presented their respective portions of the tri-lateral framework and were supportive of the approaches outlined by each country.

Canada and Mexico expressed their concerns regarding the U.S. prohibition on the transhipment and trade of live dairy heifers between Canada and Mexico. Delegates agreed to prepare a letter on this issue to be forwarded to senior U.S. officials.

Canada and Mexico recognized the importance of the continued dialogue on rural development.

TRI-LATERAL MEETING
As an addition to this year’s Accord, delegates participated in a tri-lateral meeting with the objective of creating a stronger, more integrated North American market. Results of the meeting included the formation of three working groups related to harmonization, trade remedy policies and rural development. Regional market integration will be a component of the rural development working group. Timely action of the working groups is expected. During the tri-lateral meeting, the U.S. emphasized the importance of adhering to commitments under current trade agreements and sustaining progress to complete obligations. It was noted that states and provinces be supportive of federal authorities in their efforts to create greater integration.

NEXT ACCORD
During the Sacramento meeting, the Canadian delegation extended an invitation to their Mexican and U.S. colleagues to come to Alberta for the Sixteenth Meeting of the Tri-National Accord in 2006.

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Hon. Rosann Wowchuk, Coordinator
Canadian Delegation

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Hon. Silvano Aureoles, AMSDA President
Mexican Delegation

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Hon. Nathan L. Rudgers, NASDA President
U.S. Delegation