Mission to Mexico - August 18-25, 2005

• To remove barriers to beef trade resulting from BSE;
• To pursue trade and investment opportunities; and
• To develop strong linkages at the Federal and State level for discussion of rural development issues.

• Market Development – to solicit support for expanded trade in over-thirty-month (OTM) and other beef products given current border situation and to encourage the normalization of trade with Mexico and thus the volume of exports to Mexico.
• To encourage Mexican companies to pursue investment opportunities in Alberta.
• To support the Tri National Accord working group, which is establishing a process to cooperate on rural development issues common to USA, Mexico and Canada.

• Minister Horner met with Secretary Usabiaga, SAGARPA and clarified the process for re-opening the border to Canadian live cattle and bone-in beef products. The Federal Government of Canada is applying for re-instatement of the pre-existing rule. It is anticipated that the process could be completed within the month. Other meetings with key Federal and State legislators and officials were held to gain support and further the objective of re-opening the border to Alberta beef products.
• Numerous meetings were held with industry organizations and the private sector. These included:
  • Grupo Modelo – an investment opportunity in barley and malting;
  • Grupo Vida - grain importers;
  • Grupo Chedraui - beef and pork products opportunity for Alberta producers;
  • X.O. Chihuahua - Alberta beef importers;
  • AGYDSA - canola importers;
  • the Jalisco Agricultural Council (CAJ) – a network of agricultural businesses in Alberta’s twinned State, Jalisco;
  • CIATEJ - a research and technology network specializing in food, plant, and biotech projects; and
  • CNOG - the Mexican Federation of Livestock Organizations, partners in the Five Nations Beef Producers.
• A Tri-National Agriculture Accord for Rural Development was signed with US and Mexican States in the following 5 areas of cooperation:
  • Identification of market opportunities;
  • Scientific research;
  • Financial models for rural development;
  • Education and training; and
  • Conservation practices of soil, water, and environment.
• Alberta also signed a cooperative agreement with the State of Oaxaca to:
  • Assess whether the Alberta Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) could be adapted as a financial model for Oaxaca’s rural development needs; and
  • Determine whether the Province of Alberta can obtain temporary workers from Oaxaca for Alberta’s agriculture industry.