Trip Report - Tri-lateral Rural Development Working Group

Purpose of travel:
To attend and participate in the second meeting of the Rural Development Working Group established under the Tri-National Agricultural Accord held in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Overview:
The Tri-National Agricultural Accord (Accord) is a forum for Secretaries, Commissioners, Directors, Ministers and senior government officials from Canadian provinces, US and Mexican states to address common cross border issues, exchange information and strengthen agricultural trade relations among the three countries. At the April, 2005 Accord meeting in Sacramento, there was agreement to establish three tri-lateral working groups to deal with three distinct themes: Harmonization, Trade Remedies and Rural Development. The Rural Development Working Group met for the first time in Oaxaca, Mexico in August, 2005 and an agreement outlining specific areas of cooperation and initiatives was signed by representatives from the three countries.

Missions objectives:
The objectives for the meetings were to:

• Follow-up on the initial Rural Development Working Group meeting held in Oaxaca, Mexico in August, 2005 that was attended by Minister Doug Horner.
• Report progress on action items from the initial meeting including those that Alberta has agreed to take the lead on and to identify other co-operative projects between Canadian provinces and US and Mexican states.
• Develop a framework for reporting to the Tri-National Accord meeting to be held in Banff, Alberta in August 2006, and to encourage participation in a proposed tradeshow to be held in Banff just prior to the Accord meeting.

• Alberta reported progress on the marketing opportunity initiative being developed consisting of an organic and natural food products trade show to be held in Banff prior to the next Accord meeting in August, 2006. Invitations were extended to representatives from each country to encourage their producers and processors to attend and present their products.
• Alberta extended an invitation to other states to investigate risk management models in Canada for use in their industries.
• Renewable energy and bio-products that benefit rural development opportunities were added to the framework for co-operation under the agreement.
• A number of scientific research, technology transfer, education and training and economic/rural development programs operating in New Mexico were demonstrated to the participants.