Mission to Western Association of State Departments of Agriculture Meeting (WASDA) - Honolulu, Hawaii July 27-30, 2005

Final Trip Report
Mission to WASDA meeting
Dates: July 27-30, 2005
Honolulu, Hawaii

Purpose of Travel:

To advance Alberta's interests by enhancing the relationship with key US State Directors of Agriculture.
Meet with key influencers to discuss next steps for export of OTM and breeding stock.
Find areas of cooperation and collaboration with key US counterparts.

Overview:

WASDA is a multi-state organization under the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). WASDA brings together the western US state departments of agriculture Secretaries, Commissioners and Directors to discuss areas of mutual interest and concern. Alberta and BC are invited as affiliate members and are invited to take part in the discussions.

Alberta’s attendance at the WASDA meeting provides us with the opportunity to dialogue with key influencers from the US in order to advance Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food interests.

Mission Objectives:

Exchange information on the state of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food industry with key US influencers.
Advance Alberta’s interests specifically as they relate to the export of cattle and beef products.
Network with US state Directors of Agriculture and find areas of cooperation/collaboration.
Express our appreciation to the US for their diligent work towards resumption of trade in live cattle and beef products.

Results:

MLA Lloyd Snelgrove provided a status report on the state of Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food industry. He also outlined concerns Alberta had with World Trade Organization negotiations and Country of Origin Labelling.
Mr. Snelgrove solicited support for resumption of trade in OTM and breeding stock.
Numerous meetings/discussions ensued with the Secretaries of Agriculture, where Mr. Snelgrove was able to provide insight and perspective to concerns with regards to resumption of trade.
A side meeting with Montana State Director of Agriculture provided an opportunity to myth bust and encourage the Director to look at areas of cooperation and collaboration with Alberta.
A meeting with Under Secretary Bill Hawks, US Department of Agriculture, Marketing Regulatory Programs, provided an opportunity to get an update on the development of the rule for OTM and breeding stock, get a progress report on Montana’s recent border inspection activity and to thank USDA for working so diligently with CFIA to get resolution to this market access issue.
Opened channels of communication with newly appointed Directors of Agriculture from Montana, Utah, Alaska, -- discussed areas of cooperation/ collaboration.
California Department of Agriculture and Alberta agreed to continue to find areas of collaboration/cooperation.
In preparation for the Rural Development Mission to Mexico, met with New Mexico Department of Agriculture Secretary Miley Gonzalez to discuss objectives and next steps for August mission.
Met with Animal and Plant Health Coordinator for National Association of State Departments of Agriculture to discuss possible next steps post 9th Circuit Court ruling.

Delegation:

Lloyd Snelgrove, MLA, Vermilion-Lloydminster

For more information about the content of this document, contact Sean Royer.
This information published to the web on November 2, 2005.
Last Reviewed/Revised on May 31, 2019.