Mission to Estes, Colorado, USA - WASDA Meeting - July 27 - 30, 2006

• To exchange information and dispel misinformation on key agriculture issues.
• To invite US counterparts to attend the Try Healthy Forum and the Tri-National Agricultural Accord.
• To advance Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food interests with US Secretaries of Agriculture, specifically to encourage support for the expeditious resumption of trade in over thirty month (OTM) cattle.

• Lloyd Snelgrove, MLA Vermilion-Lloydminster provided a status report on the state of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food industry. He also outlined concerns of Alberta/Canada on the delay of the second rule on OTM cattle and breeding stock. An update on Bluetongue and Anaplasmosis and US OTM import policies was provided.
• Discussed concerns with removal of cattle from the “J list” with WASDA members. Former Under Secretary Bill Hawks, a private consultant, presented a proposal for a policy change that would remove cattle from the “J list.” The “J list” allows products to be imported without labelling requirements. Removal of cattle from the “J list” would mean all cattle and beef would require country of origin labelling prior to import into the US. Hawks sighted animal health issues and tracking in the event of disease outbreak as the motivating factor for this request. WASDA agreed to move this proposal forward for consideration at the annual National Association of State Departments of Agriculture meeting in September.
• Provided perspective on the inability of the US to track animals given they have no national ID system.
• Encouraged WASDA members to attend the Try Healthy Forum and the Tri National Agricultural Accord being hosted in Banff, Alberta, August 8-12, 2006.
• Met with Dr. Miley Gonzalez, Secretary of Agriculture for New Mexico, to discuss approach and next steps for the Tri-lateral Rural Development Working Group meeting.
• Met with NASDA to discuss the priority issues for the Canada-US Bilateral meeting.
• Met with NASDA’s Animal and Plant Health Coordinator to discuss implications of the “J list” and to dispel misinformation on the 7th case of BSE in Canada.
• Farm Bill discussion with Commissioner Roger Johnson, North Dakota indicated there is a split camp between extension of the Farm Bill and rewriting the entire Farm Bill. Unlikely that resumption of WTO talks would result in significant progress.
• Discussions with WASDA states included: drought, labour issues, water conservation, biodiesel investment, invasive species, rural development and specified risk material removal.
• California encouraged the exchange of information in areas of mutual interest.
• Discussed inability of access to breeding stock with Alaska.
• Met with Montana to discuss Country of Origin Labelling concerns.