Statement
Statement of Agribusiness Leaders
North American Leaders Summit
Mexico City, Mexico
Monday, January 9, 2023
The undersigned agriculture related associations representing farmers, processors and food, exporters, importers, and manufacturers respectfully submit the following statement for consideration as our national leaders engage the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City, Mexico.
A prominent achievement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was the complementary trade and integrated markets in agricultural products, which enhanced food security, agriculture sustainability and prosperity throughout North America. USMCA/TMEC/CUSMA built on that strong foundation by reinforcing requirements for risk-based regulatory decision making and strengthening and modernizing the way in which the North American market conducts trade and supports investment.
As a result, trade in agricultural products in North America rose from $7.7 billion dollars in 1994 to $67.1 billion dollars today (2021), a 769.7% increase. Mexico, the United States and Canada have the largest trilateral agricultural trade relationship in the world, positioning North America as a critical region for sustaining global food security.
The broadening food security concerns and food and agriculture supply chain disruptions around the world have highlighted the benefits of North America’s robust agricultural trade. Our extensively integrated markets have ensured our regional food security and maintained robust trade and investment relationships between our industries and consumers, despite significant uncertainty in global markets. As supply chains adapt to the challenges experienced over the past several years in international trade, an extraordinary opportunity exists to continue to strengthen North American trade in agricultural products for the benefit of consumers, the environment, and the prosperity of our rural communities.
USMCA/TMEC/CUSMA provides the world’s best framework for seizing that opportunity. Through science- and risk-based policies that are efficient, predictable, and compliant with international obligations, North American markets can embrace technology that advances food security, agricultural sustainability and rural prosperity and foster a variety of cost-effective food choices for our consumers. Adoption of innovative agricultural technologies is critical to sustainably increase productivity, while reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural production. These breakthroughs can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the agricultural supply chain while bolstering food security throughout North America.
Furthermore, we encourage the three governments to immediately take full advantage of the relevant USMCA committees to share and align on best practices and to ensure differences are addressed in a timely manner. Thus, we urge expeditious resolution of agriculture related trade disputes and irritants, particularly including Mexico’s proposed ban on some uses of biotech corn and other agricultural technologies.
We welcome success on these and other areas of common interest from the North American Leaders Summit.
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Seed Trade Association
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Corn Refiners Association
CropLife America
Mexico’s National Agriculture Council
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Corn Growers Association
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Pork Producers Council
National Poultry Producers Association of Mexico
North American Export Grain Association
North American Meat Institute
North American Millers’ Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
