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Marking the first activity supported by NASDA’s America First Trade Promotion Program award, 19 NASDA members representing state departments of agriculture across the U.S. participated in the 35th Annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord, held Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Led by NASDA President and Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison, participating members represented Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The Accord provided NASDA members opportunities to engage directly with Canadian and Mexican counterparts, exchange regional perspectives and address shared challenges. NASDA’s federal partners, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Foreign Agricultural Service, also participated, including FAS Administrator Danny Whitley. Discussions focused on rules-based trade, science-based regulatory approaches, market access and cross-border cooperation. Key outcomes included plans for a trilateral pest and disease preparedness exercise, collaboration on veterinary workforce shortages affecting livestock movement and continued engagement on agricultural competitiveness.
A central focus was the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and its importance to regional economic stability and integrated supply chains. During trilateral and bilateral discussions, participants expressed support for a 16-year extension of the agreement and emphasized the need to reduce regulatory uncertainty, tariffs and other barriers affecting producers, exporters and businesses.
Bilateral meetings with Canadian and Mexican agricultural leaders provided opportunities to identify shared priorities and update the 2026-27 agricultural cooperation work plans. Discussions addressed regulatory alignment, workforce development and transportation challenges, reinforcing the value of sustained engagement among state, provincial and federal officials.
Animal and plant health preparedness was another priority. During a trilateral session moderated by NASDA Director of Public Policy Patrick Wade, participants examined emerging disease threats, pest surveillance and coordinated response strategies. Delegates called for a second trilateral agricultural pest and disease tabletop exercise within two years to improve cross-border preparedness.
Participants also examined veterinary workforce shortages and their effects on livestock movement, particularly at U.S.-Canada border crossings. Discussions explored opportunities to share recruitment and retention strategies, improve coordination and support efficient transportation while maintaining strong animal health protections.
A U.S. delegation roundtable and trilateral industry discussions brought together agricultural organizations and government officials to examine infrastructure needs, technological innovation and workforce challenges. Members also explored ways to build public trust in agriculture through transparent communication, credible scientific information and consumer engagement. Industry tours offered firsthand exposure to Alberta’s agricultural production, processing and transportation infrastructure.
The Accord concluded with the signing of a trilateral communiqué and adoption of bilateral joint statements and work plans with Canada and Mexico, establishing priorities for continued cooperation on trade, animal and plant health, and regulatory issues.
Through AFTPP-supported participation, NASDA members strengthened relationships with Canadian and Mexican agricultural leaders, advanced shared priorities and brought state-level perspectives to discussions affecting North American agriculture. NASDA will build on these outcomes as the United States prepares to host the 36th Annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Baltimore, Maryland, Oct. 17-20, 2027.
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NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA engages state departments of agriculture to strengthen U.S. agriculture and allied industries through policy, partnerships and public outreach. To learn more about NASDA and its trade programs and trade policy, visit www.nasda.org.
