Northeastern United States commissioners and eastern Canadian ministers of agriculture reached consensus today on a broad range of issues on trade, food safety and plant and animal health management during their meeting in Charlottetown. The meeting, held as a result of a resolution passed in August by northeastern US governors and eastern Canadian premiers, was chaired by Prince Edward Island Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy.
Commissioners and ministers agreed to encourage respective federal governments to undertake a review of quarantinable potato diseases to determine plant health and economic risks that warrant quarantinable status. They also encouraged the development of management plans to mitigate potential impacts of potato diseases.
Commissioners and ministers agreed to urge their respective federal governments to establish a North American zone with respect to "country of origin" labels. The United States has introduced voluntary labeling as of September of this year, and labeling will be mandatory by September, 2004. There are concerns on both sides of the border about the impacts the new rules will have on a number of commodities which actively trade between the two countries.
Commissioners and ministers want their respective federal governments to work co-operatively on pesticide registration and are recommending that the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency continue discussions to make the best pesticide products available and affordable in both countries.
Commissioners and ministers discussed the need for a common approach to emergency responses to foreign animal diseases.
They also discussed a number of steps to increase capacity to diagnose animal diseases. In Canada, these include raising the level of accreditation in the four veterinary colleges, while the United States is considering the regionalization of testing facilities.
Commissioners and ministers were encouraged to hear of the success in preventing the spread of raccoon rabies in wildlife in New Brunswick and Quebec. Also, they were updated on the survey program now occurring in Maine.
On other cross-border related issues, the Maine commissioner agreed to discuss with USDA the limited access at Calais, Maine and other points of entry for inspection of livestock and hatching eggs.
Concerns were expressed by commissioners and ministers about the availability of seasonal labour in the agriculture and food industry.
Concerns were also expressed about the potential absorption of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services into the new United States Department of Homeland Security. Concerns are that there would be less emphasis on cooperation, trade and the inspection of imported commodities for exotic pests.
Mr. Murphy informed commissioners and ministers that he will continue to press for removal of buffer zones around potato wart fields. He said in view of international protocols and the testing associated with mop-top virus, the buffer zones are unreasonable and are creating hardships for those affected.
Commissioners and ministers reviewed recent developments in the certification of organic products.
This was the second meeting of commissioners and ministers. "These meetings are evolving to play an important role in increasing co-operation between eastern Canada and the northeastern United States," said Mr. Murphy. "It provides an excellent opportunity to pursue mutual goals and to discuss outstanding issues."
Commissioners and ministers are looking forward to joining their national counterparts from Canada, the US and Mexico in Montreal at the next Trinational Agricultural Accord meeting April 1 - 3, hosted by Quebec. This is concurrent with the SIAL food show.
The next northeastern commissioners and eastern Canadian ministers of agriculture meeting will be held in Vermont in the fall of 2003.