JOINT COMMUNIQUE April 21, 2007 Continuing a long-standing province/state relationship among Canada, the United States (U.S.), and Mexico, the State of Nuevo Leon hosted the 17th annual meeting of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Monterrey, Mexico, April 18-21, 2007. Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors, Ministers and senior government officials from 6 Canadian provinces, 16 U.S. states and 20 Mexican states worked together to improve understanding and strengthen collaboration among the agricultural sectors of the three NAFTA countries. As hosts of the 2007 Accord, the Hon. Governor Jose Natividad Gonzalez and the Hon. Guillermo Zambrano Lozano, Nuevo Leon President of the Agriculture and Livestock Development Corporation and the Hon. Alberto Cardenas, SAGARPA Secretary welcomed the delegations and emphasized the importance of agriculture to the economies of all three countries. In November 2006, all three trilateral working groups met in Morelia, Michoacan. The Working Group provided information and showed a video about the meetings held in Morelia, Michoacan in November 2006. At the Morelia meeting, the delegates identified four strategic directions: address sustainable agriculture research and extension programs; participate in advancing conservation programs; promote agriculture and industry programs; and create financing and marketing programs. In addition, efforts will continue in regards to bioenergy
development and nutritional programs with an outlook in setting forth programs for implementation in 2008. Workforce development, a key component identified by the working Each country reported progress on strategic directions since the Morelia meeting. Canada´s report focused on models for investment, financing and marketing, workforce development and organic agriculture programs. Mexico reported on agreements to advance research on sustainable agriculture, a commitment to work with federal officials to increase cooperation, and the need to develop an inventory of research programs and cooperative mechanisms including identifying scientific expertise which would be useful for all three countries. The working group agreed to explore cooperative and information exchange mechanisms on soil and water conservation programs. Mexico expressed interest in seeking cooperation in areas of financial investments and marketing opportunities. The U.S. focused on water, soil and climate initiatives and workforce development, recognizing the need to alleviate labour shortages in the agri-food industry and to position agriculture as a desirable career choice. Canada offered to host the next meeting in Alberta in the fall of 2007 to advance progress on the working group´s strategic directions. HARMONIZATION TRI-LATERAL WORKING GROUP The working group reported on progress achieved during the Morelia meeting in November 2006. Canada´s report included activities of the NAFTA Technical Working Group (TWG) on pesticide harmonization and Canadian efforts on veterinary drug registrations. Canada tabled a letter received from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency outlining the enhanced feed ban. The letter will be forwarded by Canada to relevant U.S. and Mexican federal agencies for a response. Mexico reported on the progress since the last Accord meeting which resulted in the development of an agreed upon matrix of issues for consideration by federal governments, analysis and comment. The U.S. identified a number of issues related to harmonization including potatoes, apples and livestock issues. Mexico also identified citrus, potatoes, poultry, pork, fruits and vegetables, animal products, and fumigation. The U.S. delegation offered to host a meeting of the Harmonization Tri-lateral Working Group with federal and state technical experts before the 2008 Accord and a timeline of activities was proposed. TRADE REMEDY TRI-LATERAL WORKING GROUP Mexico presented a summary of a paper on trade remedies prepared by Dr. Colin Carter and MEXICO / CANADA The delegates reviewed the 2006-2007 workplan and exchanged information on a variety of issues. Mexico led a discussion on the potential impact of the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill on both countries’ agricultural sectors and delegates agreed to further discussions. Canada and Mexico expressed concern regarding the impact of mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) and committed to strongly urging U.S. officials to address the implications to trade. Mexico reiterated the challenges in obtaining replacement dairy heifers from Canada. Both countries look forward to normalized trade once the new U.S. bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) rule is implemented. U.S. / CANADA The delegates reviewed the 2006-2007 workplan and exchanged information on a variety of issues. During discussions on animal health issues, Canada reported on the completion of a risk assessment for anaplasmosis, and the delegates discussed the harmonization of specified risk material (SRM) standards. U.S. delegates emphasized the need for further analysis before considering changes to feed regulations. Delegates agreed on the need to continue working collaboratively on veterinary drug matters. The U.S. reported on NASDA´s biotechnology activities and cooperative efforts among jurisdictions on biotechnology initiatives. Canada reported on the establishment of the first NAFTA pesticide label. Delegates agreed to forward a letter to federal officials urging both Congress and Parliament to support NAFTA pesticide labels when identical products are registered in both countries, and a letter of invitation to respective federal pesticide management agencies to report on pesticide harmonization at the 2008 Tri-National Agricultural Accord. There was considerable discussion regarding mandatory COOL and potential implications for trade. It was recognized that the existing law and regulations for livestock and meat pose challenges for trade in all three countries. These issues led delegates to highlight the importance of traceability systems both now and in the future. The U.S. provided progress reports on bioterrorism and biosecurity, invasive species, joint marketing opportunities and future collaborative meetings. Two new issues were added to the workplan: swine health and its impact on trade and concerns respecting trade in bison products. The working group discussed the reports of the tri-lateral working groups. In regards to trade remedies, the views of the countries were expressed and the positions remain the same. U.S. / MEXICO Delegates exchanged information on issues listed in the 2006-2007 workplan. Issues included harmonization of animal health and plant health issues, organic products, labor supply, nutrition, renewable energy, and biosecurity. Texas, California and Michoacan briefed delegates on several programs supporting increased efforts to improve child nutrition in their states and reduce obesity. A presentation on career agricultural education at a community college was given. In regards to harmonization issues, Sonora will host a visit of a technical group to observe the implementation of standards and regulations under auspices of the Border Governors Agriculture Work Table. Three new issues were added to the workplan: biosecurity, invasive species and climate change. The working group discussed the reports of the tri-lateral working groups. In regards to trade remedies, the views of the countries were expressed and the positions remain the same. TRI-LATERAL ISSUES Other potential tri-lateral issues discussed during bilateral meetings included invasive species, workforce development and nutrition and obesity. NEXT ACCORD ______________________________________________ _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________ |
