| | Purpose of Travel
Doug Griffiths, Parliamentary Assistant to Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) Minister George Groeneveld, attended the Cross Border Livestock Health Conference (CBLHC) and the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) summit on behalf of the Minister. The mission was successful in meeting its objectives as outlined below.
Overview:
Both the CBLHC and PNWER summit provided important forums for discussing agricultural issues and developments impacting member jurisdictions. The two events helped to further develop organizational and personal relationships with our provincial and United States counterparts, advancing diplomatic and industry channels that are instrumental in strengthening our agriculture industry and advancing trade.
For Alberta’s agriculture industry, this dialogue is particularly important, as the U.S. remains our primary trade partner, and our respective agriculture sectors in these other provinces and states face similar challenges and opportunities. The ever-expanding global market, environmental concerns, and ongoing agronomy issues and advancements continue to shape and drive agricultural development for member jurisdictions.
The CBLHC included state and provincial veterinarians, federal government animal health representatives, other animal healthy experts, industry representatives, legislators and elected officials from Canada and the US. There was representation from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Washington State, Idaho, Oregon and Montana. Presentations and informal open discussion and information sharing resulted in productive dialogue that enhanced understanding of a variety of issues and concerns.
The PNWER Summit brought together legislative, government and private sector leaders from Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. This year’s PNWER theme, Addressing Global Challenges – Northwest Imperatives for the Future reflected very well how critical it is for our agriculture industry to secure a firm foothold as a strong competitor in the global market. Through plenary sessions and the dialogue at working group sessions, the summit helped Alberta build stronger links with other jurisdictions in the Pacific Northwest, facilitate trade and explore regional issues and potential solutions that better position our respective industries as participants in the global market economy.
Mission Objectives:
Overall mission objectives were to raise agricultural issues of mutual concern, seek out areas of cooperation and exchange information and ideas on agriculture topics of mutual interest.
Specific objectives for the CBLHC were to:
· enhance relationships and build networks between state and provincial jurisdictions;
· exchange information on animal health issues and concerns;
· develop a common understanding of disease policies;
· exchange information on emergency response to emerging and foreign animal diseases; and
· advance Canadian and American animal health interests.
Specific objectives for the PNWER Agriculture sessions were to:
· enhance relationships with state and provincial jurisdictions;
· continue to address concerns about the US mandatory country of origin labelling rules;
· exchange information on animal health issues;
· share information on ways to mitigate and respond to crop diseases; and
· advance trade relationships and minimize barriers to trade.
Results:
Over 50 people attended the CBLHC which was co-chaired by Dr. Gerald Hauer, Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian and Dr. Bill Barton, Idaho’s State Veterinarian, and held in conjunction with the PNWER summit. Mr. Griffiths’ attendance provided the opportunity to take in a day and a half of presentations and discussions on priority beef and dairy animal health issues, specifically traceability, animal diseases (Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Blue Tongue and Anaplasmosis), and animal welfare.
Dr. Kee Jim, a member of Alberta’s Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA), offered a presentation on traceability. His presentation offered a clear, concise and succinct overview of Alberta’s position on animal health, food safety and traceability, and delivered incredibly persuasive arguments for the direction and actions that Alberta (both government and industry) is taking in this area. Comments by Dr. Hauer reiterated and further supported these Alberta positions and goals, and Dr. Jim’s presentation encouraged a lot of debate and discussion that carried over into the PNWER conference
The dialogue at the CBLHC also led to the development of the following action items for the group to address:
1. Electronic Import/Export Documentation
Work with officials from the Canadian and US governments to encourage the acceptance of electronic documentation and endorsement for the import/export of live animals and products within and between the two countries.
2. Livestock Transportation Standards and Harmonization
Investigate and report progress on harmonization of livestock trucker training programs in Canada and the US. Investigate proposed and instituted changes to livestock transportation in Canada and the US and obtain the OIE report/direction regarding livestock transportation in Canada and the US.
3. Market Access for Small Ruminants
Urge the USDA to expedite the rule making process to restore access for Canadian sheep and goats, and work with the federal officials from Canada and the United States to achieve this goal.
4. Future of the Cross Border Livestock Health Conference
Make the cross border Livestock Health conference an annual event at the PNWER Annual Summit. Work with the 2010 host committee to begin to plan next year’s event.
These action items will be addressed over the next year.
Within the PNWER conference, the Agriculture session was co-chaired by Alberta MLA Richard Marz. The two topics were of particular focus during the Agriculture working group sessions, Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) and the US Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (COOL).
Three presentations were given on the topic of PCN. Given the recent PCN occurrences in the past years, these presentations and the discussions that followed were highly valuable in sharing information and exploring how common goals could be met through cooperation.
Mike Cooper, Bureau Chief of Plant Industries Division with the Idaho Department of Agriculture focused on their states current PCN protocol.
Brian Marschman, Plant Health Director of Plant Protection & Quarantine Program, APHIS with the US Department of Agriculture highlighted their PCN goals to prevent the spread of PCN, and their expansion of efforts to delimit current infestation and eradicate it, and work to restore and preserve markets.
Deb Hart, Seed Development Coordinator with the Potato Growers of Alberta focused on the Canadian efforts to identify disease and the benefits of an integrated market.
Agriculture agencies both sides of the border have agreed on a protocol that does not shut down the border to trade in potatoes, but quarantines the infected field.
Three presentations were given on the topic of mandatory COOL.
Jerry Dewey, Vice-President of Government Affairs with Associated Food Stores Inc. delivered a presentation on mandatory COOL, its intent, its application and its impact on industry, and the real consequences of the legislation and regulations. Dewey’s assessment of COOL is that it is not a food safety bill, and he noted that regional labelling is allowed for produce but not for meat. According to his information, the impact on industry in the first year has been an estimated cost of $4 billion at the retail level, and that there will be about $2.5 billion ongoing annual costs due mostly to record-keeping. He also shared that the USDA has earmarked $3 million to conduct 5,000 reviews from May to November 2009. Another observation is that while enforcement is applied from Washington DC, inspection is provided by state inspectors.
John Masswohl, Director of International Relations with the Canadian Cattleman’s Association (CCA) also made a presentation on mandatory COOL. The CCA estimates mandatory COOL has imposed $90-$100/head extra costs on Canadian cattle which is composed of a $45-$50/head increased logistical costs and $45-$50/head price discount. Masswohl noted that the CCA continues to advocate that the Government of Canada proceed with a WTO challenge.
Following these presentations, the issue of the mandatory COOL in the US was roundly discussed by every jurisdiction, with both public and industry members commenting. The general consensus from all parties is that mandatory COOL is cumbersome, expensive, and negatively impacting consumers and businesses on both sides of the border with no substantive complimentary benefit.
Other discussion topics of importance to delegates were energy, trade, and various government initiatives around food safety and climate change and the implications for agriculture. Delegates participated in an exercise where groups listed the most immediate and substantial issues facing agriculture, what issues could be fixed, and what would be required to address each issue. This exercise provided frank discussion on challenges being faced in various jurisdictions, and created greater understanding among delegates.
The dialogue at the PNWER Agriculture Working Group sessions led to the development of the following action items for the group to address:
· Cross-Border Issues: Country of Origin Labeling, Impacts of Initial Implementation: Work to develop a regional roundtable discussion with state/provincial industry & government stakeholders and principal federal officials to communicate the regional economic implications of specific federal Agriculture policy.
· Emerging Issues for Agriculture: Roundtable Discussion: Agriculture Working Group should consider addressing the following issues in 2010: Water management and supply, carbon foodprint, energy and transportation and the balance between environment and economic growth.
Overall, the conference and summit were extremely valuable in terms of interaction between attendees, and Mr. Griffiths was able to capitalize on the significant networking opportunities to connect with elected officials, government and industry. It also afforded the Alberta government an invaluable opportunity to exchange viewpoints on various topics and press our own position on priority issues in face to face discussions. PNWER continues to offer a unique opportunity for direct provincial and state government counterparts to meet and exchange information, policies and to collectively work on strategies for taking issues forward to our respective federal counterparts. In addition, having conference participants from the business community adds to the effectiveness and credibility of the work done through PNWER, and greatly enhances the likelihood of successfully implementing PNWER resolutions and solidifying working relationships. The 2009 PNWER summit demonstrated that this model continues to be successful and influential in advancing the agriculture industry in Canada and the US.
Delegation: Doug Griffiths, MLA Battle River – Wainwright and Parliamentary Assistant to George Groeneveld, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. |
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