Canada-Mexico Tri-National Agricultural Accord Bilateral
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Canada-Mexico Tri-National Agricultural Accord Bilateral Working Group August 15, 2008
The Honorable Ed Schafer Secretary of Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture Dear Secretary Schafer, We are writingto you as co-chairs of the Canada-Mexico Working Group established under the umbrella of the Tri-NationalAccord. As you are aware, the Tri-NationalAccord was established by our respective governments with the goal of advancing trade liberalizationfor the benefit of the agri-food sectors of U.S. Mexico and Canada. Through collaborative efforts at the state, provincialand
federal governmentlevels,we have made significant progress towards achieving this mutual objective. Canada, Mexico and the United States enjoy extensive and mutually beneficial trade in agricultural products. In 2005, three way trade in agricultural products between Canada, Mexico and the US was valued at approximately US$40.6 billion.Extensivebusiness relationships and supply chains have developed based on this mutually beneficial trading relationship. As the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) moves towards implementing mandatory Country of Origin Labeling we ask that the USDA implement a rule that is simple and flexible and does not impede our substantial three-way trade in agricultural products. Such a rule should not impose onerous record keeping requirements on producers but should use records available in the ordinary course of business.
In this regard, we trust you will implement mandatory Country of Origin Labeling in a manner that is consistent with U.S. international trade obligations and ensures uninterrupted trade between our three NAFTA countries.
Sincerely,
~ e Honorable Jorge Kondo Lopez Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries for the State of Sinaloa and President of the Mexican Association of Secretaries of Rural Development (AMSDA) Mexico Co-Chair
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The Honorable George Groeneveld Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Canada Co-Chair cc: Ing. Alberto Cardenas Jiminez Secretario de Agricultura, Ganaderia, Desarollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentacion Mexico Honorable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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Canada-Mexico Tri-National Agricultural Accord Bilateral Working Group August 15, 2008
The Honorable Ed Schafer Secretary of Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture Dear Secretary Schafer, We are writingto you as co-chairs of the Canada-Mexico Working Group established under the umbrella of the Tri-NationalAccord. As you are aware, the Tri-NationalAccord was established by our respective governments with the goal of advancing trade liberalizationfor the benefit of the agri-food sectors of U.S. Mexico and Canada. Through collaborative efforts at the state, provincialand
federal governmentlevels,we have made significant progress towards achieving this mutual objective. Canada, Mexico and the United States enjoy extensive and mutually beneficial trade in agricultural products. In 2005, three way trade in agricultural products between Canada, Mexico and the US was valued at approximately US$40.6 billion.Extensivebusiness relationships and supply chains have developed based on this mutually beneficial trading relationship. As the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) moves towards implementing mandatory Country of Origin Labeling we ask that the USDA implement a rule that is simple and flexible and does not impede our substantial three-way trade in agricultural products. Such a rule should not impose onerous record keeping requirements on producers but should use records available in the ordinary course of business.
In this regard, we trust you will implement mandatory Country of Origin Labeling in a manner that is consistent with U.S. international trade obligations and ensures uninterrupted trade between our three NAFTA countries.
Sincerely,
~ e Honorable Jorge Kondo Lopez Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries for the State of Sinaloa and President of the Mexican Association of Secretaries of Rural Development (AMSDA) Mexico Co-Chair
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The Honorable George Groeneveld Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Canada Co-Chair cc: Ing. Alberto Cardenas Jiminez Secretario de Agricultura, Ganaderia, Desarollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentacion Mexico Honorable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
