North American ag officials set NAFTA priorities
The National Association of State Departments
of Agriculture note what's needed in a
modernized agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement has been in the news a lot lately
with new negotiations underway with an eye toward tweaking the 23-year-old
program. Last week the National Association of State Departments of
Agriculture and counterparts from Mexico and Canada set down a list of
priorities needed for a renewed agreement.
with new negotiations underway with an eye toward tweaking the 23-year-old
program. Last week the National Association of State Departments of
Agriculture and counterparts from Mexico and Canada set down a list of
priorities needed for a renewed agreement.
for the 26th annual Tri-National
Agricultural Accord, which has a history
of bringing senior state and provincial
ag officials together from Canada, the
United States and Mexico to work
together on trade and development
issues. Included with the group was
the North American State Departments of
Agriculture, representing U.S. ag commissioners, secretaries and directors.
Don Brown, commissioner of agriculture, Colorado, was host for this year's
accord and commented that international trade with neighbors to the
north and south is "of vital importance to our economy and quality of life.
The Tri-National Agricultural Accord is a tremendous opportunity to
discuss the importance of NAFTA and the value of cooperative partnerships."
Ag officials released a joint statement noting the importance of NAFTA
for ag and food processing. The statement also affirmed the work of the
Tri-National Accord for the future. In addition, during the Colorado event
the group discussed NAFTA and set down some priorities as negotiations
proceed.
for ag and food processing. The statement also affirmed the work of the
Tri-National Accord for the future. In addition, during the Colorado event
the group discussed NAFTA and set down some priorities as negotiations
proceed.
The Ministers, Secretaries, Commissioners and Directors of the state and
provincial departments of agriculture from the three countries note the
importance of NAFTA. Since the agreement went into effect the food and
ag industry in the region has become increasingly integrated, helping all
of North America become a competitive force internationally. As negotiations
proceed, the group encouraged their respective federal governments to do
the following.
provincial departments of agriculture from the three countries note the
importance of NAFTA. Since the agreement went into effect the food and
ag industry in the region has become increasingly integrated, helping all
of North America become a competitive force internationally. As negotiations
proceed, the group encouraged their respective federal governments to do
the following.
* Swiftly modernize NAFTA in a way "that does not harm North America's
agriculture and food processing industries, so those industries can have the
certainty to invest for the long term."
agriculture and food processing industries, so those industries can have the
certainty to invest for the long term."
* Enhance and formalize mechanisms for states and provinces to consult
with the federal Consultative Committees on Agriculture and to serve as
official advisers to their relevant committees. In its statement the tri-national
group noted that input from state and provincial representatives will help
ensure a comprehensive understanding of issues under consideration and
their impacts - and they want CCAs formalized into NAFTA.
with the federal Consultative Committees on Agriculture and to serve as
official advisers to their relevant committees. In its statement the tri-national
group noted that input from state and provincial representatives will help
ensure a comprehensive understanding of issues under consideration and
their impacts - and they want CCAs formalized into NAFTA.
* Build and enhance the work of the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation
Council, U.S.-Mexico High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council, and
trilateral regulatory cooperation bodies to improve regional cooperation,
regulatory harmonization, and trade facilitation. The group also supports
the concept of coordination across governments to ensure a coherent
regulatory approach.
Council, U.S.-Mexico High-Level Regulatory Cooperation Council, and
trilateral regulatory cooperation bodies to improve regional cooperation,
regulatory harmonization, and trade facilitation. The group also supports
the concept of coordination across governments to ensure a coherent
regulatory approach.
* Modernize the Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary and Technical Barriers to Trade
provisions to make sure effective and timely communication, cooperation,
science-based decision-making and transparency are present.
provisions to make sure effective and timely communication, cooperation,
science-based decision-making and transparency are present.
* Maintain robust, rapid and legally binding dispute resolution mechanisms
in NAFTA that are fair and impartial. Source: NASDA
in NAFTA that are fair and impartial. Source: NASDA
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