COMUNICADO CONJUNTO: REUNION DEL ACUERDO AGRICOLA TRINACIONAL HÉCTOR PADILLA GUTIÉRREZ

REUNION DEL ACUERDO AGRICOLA TRINACIONAL

HÉCTOR PADILLA GUTIÉRREZ

PALABRAS DE BIENVENIDA

-   Lic. José Calzada Rovirosa.- Secretario de Agricultura Ganadería, Desarrollo, Rural, Pesca y Alimentación de México.

-   Arthur Potts.- asistente parlamentario del Ministro de Agricultura y  líder de la delegación de Canadá

-   Mr. Jeff Witte.- Secretario de Desarrollo Rural del Estado de Nuevo México

-   Lic. Raúl Urteaga, Coordinador de Asuntos Internacionales de SAGARPA.

-   Dr. Enrique Sánchez Cruz; coordinador en jefe de SENASICA.

-   Lic. Roberto López Lara, Secretario General de Gobierno de Jalisco y representante del gobernador Jorge Aristóteles Sandoval.

-   A nombre de mis compañeros secretarios integrantes de la Asociación Mexicana de Secretarios de Desarrollo Agropecuario,  les doy la más cordial bienvenida a esta la Vigésima Cuarta reunión del Acuerdo Agrícola Trinacional y bienvenidos a Guadalajara capital de nuestro Estado de Jalisco.-

-   Se encuentran presentes, representaciones de 5 Provincias de Canadá, 18 Estados de la Uniòn Americana y 23 de México.

-   Es de resaltar que con el liderazgo de Jeff Witte de los Estados Unidos y de Arthur Potts de Canadà, esta reunión es la de mayor asistencia y participación de los encuentros trinacionales que se han realizado.

-   Por el esfuerzo y compromiso, a todos nuestro agradecimiento.

-   También agradezcamos a los equipos de apoyo, el esfuerzo y la perseverancia para llegar con fortaleza a este encuentro. Gracias a Nathan, Daniel, a Rodolfo Wipe, que se convierte en el decano de estos encuentros porque con este ha participado 10.

-   Bienvenidos todos a Jalisco, Estado que se ha convertido en la  potencia agroalimentaria de México.

-   Como estado somos el principal aportante al producto interno bruto agroalimentario de México. Somos el primer productor nacional de leche, carne de cerdo, huevo, alimentos balanceados para consumo animal, maíz amarillo, maíz forrajero, derivados del maíz, tilapia, frambuesa, arándano, chía y tequila.

-   Somos el segundo productor nacional de bovinos, maíz blanco, aguacate, morròn, zarzamora y fresa.

-   Exportamos alimentos a 58 países y del aeropuerto de Guadalajara se transporta el 10% de la carga aérea de alimentos y estimamos que en 10 años se moverá de nuestro aeropuerto el 60% de la carga aérea de alimentos de México.

-   Estimados amigos: el Acuerdo Agrícola Trinacional  que se ha mantenido constante durante la vigencia del TLCAN y que nos integra en este momento, creo que no sólo debe mantenerse, sino fortalecerse como un instrumento privilegiado de cooperación y de integración regional para mejorar la producción de alimentos y derivados, fortalecer las relaciones comerciales y producir más riqueza para el bienestar de la población y como medio para  para enfrentar con éxito los grandes desafíos globales.

-   La FAO determina que para el 2050 habrá que incrementar la producción de alimentos en un 50%, pero ahora con menos tierra, menos agua, menos crecimiento económico y volatilidad climática.

-   La región que representamos reporta un balance positivo para México donde las exportaciones totales hacia la zona norte, pasaron de 54 mil millones de dólares en 1994 a 310 mil millones de dólares en el 2014, lo que refleja un incremento del 574%.

-   En materia agropecuaria pasamos de 3,500 millones en 1994 a más 9 mil millones de dólares en el 2014 casi un 300% de crecimiento.

-   Para incrementar la producción de alimentos, es necesario revisar la forma de cultivar los alimentos y gestionar el capital natural, los desafíos ya no sólo imponen más comercio sino más responsabilidad ambiental. Esto me motiva a invitar a Jeff y Arthur, a todos los estados representados para que juntos hagamos de esta reunión una sin precedentes, donde logremos avanzar hacia nuevos temas que nos ubiquen con un liderazgo diferente que impulse y coadyuve a transformar y articular más las agendas federales promoviendo políticas públicas innovadoras para este siglo XXI.

-   Nuestra región representa el 26% del PIB mundial y aporta casi el 40% de la oferta mundial de alimentos por lo que tiene una responsabilidad mayor ante la creciente vulnerabilidad alimentaria donde hoy casi mil millones de habitantes en el mundo no podrán acceder a comida suficiente para tener una vida normal.

-   Para enfrentar los nuevos desafíos, los esfuerzos de cooperación y de integración deben redoblarse. Las experiencias que hemos acumulado han sido muy destacadas como el acuerdo de cooperación para el aprovechamiento del agua entre Nuevo México y Nuevo León,  la certificaciónn de capacidades laborales de jornaleros agrícolas de Guerrero por la Universidad de Wisconsin, el hermanamiento de ALBERTA con JALISCO para la construcción del Centro de Valor Agregado y el gran impulso que Estados Unidos y México le hemos dado al Programa Universitario Bilateral que se encuentra ya en operación

-   Por último, ahora estamos en la ruta del Acuerdo Transpacifico (TPP) que no solo prevé más oportunidades comerciales sino cambios en la forma que entendemos las reglas para el comercio y la cooperación e integración. Para nuestra región no sólo es la incorporación de nuevos y fuertes competidores sino el incremento en los riesgos de atraer más plagas y enfermedades. En materia de SANIDADES no tengo duda. debemos de constituirnos como un solo bloque para los efectos de prevención y de alerta temprana e incluso configurar un Fondo Regional para la atención de Emergencias sanitarias.

-   En todo este contexto el relanzamiento del Acuerdo Agrícola Trinacional adquiere una mayor relevancia para darle nuevo impulso a la facilitación del comercio entre la región, a dejar de lado barreras que no atiendan principios de ciencia y que estén al margen de los acuerdos firmados, establecer una región dinámica en sus cruces fronterizos, entre otros aspectos; es por ello que la conformación de un Grupo de trabajo de alto nivel que nos ayude a identificar estos temas podría ser el inicio de una renovada relación y de una trabajo común acorde a los desafíos de nuestro tiempo.

-   Deseo finalmente hacer un reconocimiento al secretario de agricultura de México, José Calzada Rovirosa, por fortalecer este encuentro con su presencia y reconocer el apoyo invaluable de su equipo en las personas de Raúl Urteaga y Enrique Sánchez Cruz.

-   Ante todas estas consideraciones solo me resta desear resultados fructíferos en nuestros trabajos para bien de nuestros países y que disfruten su  estancia  en esta bella ciudad de Guadalajara.

-   MUCHAS GRACIAS.

JOINT COMMUNIQUE: November 14, 2015, Guadalajara, Jalisco.  Mexico

Continuing a long-standing province/state relationship among Canada, the United States (U.S.) and Mexico, the 24th annual meeting of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord took place in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico from November 11 to 14, 2015.  State and Provincial delegates from five Canadian provinces, twenty one Mexican states and fifteen U.S. states worked together to improve understanding and strengthen collaboration among the agricultural sectors of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) countries.  Also in attendance were several senior federal government officials from the three countries.

The Honorable Jose Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa, Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food for the Federal Government of Mexico, welcomed the delegates to Guadalajara, Jalisco. He noted the essential role the Tri-National Accord plays in enhancing partnerships and facilitating collaboration to address challenges and develop solutions to agricultural issues across North America.  Mr. Arthur Potts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Secretary Hector Padilla Gutierrez of Jalisco Rural Development and President of AMSDA; and Secretary Jeff Witte, New Mexico Department of Agriculture and Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) were the delegation leads for each country. 

The Tri-lateral Working Groups on Harmonization and Rural Development met to discuss areas of mutual interest such as how the bioeconomy and bioproducts, as well as research and Extension, have provided enhanced opportunities for rural development. Delegates also identified the critical need for emergency planning related to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other animal diseases.  Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. highlighted the unique role of the Accord in contributing to the success of NAFTA and the importance of continuing to maintain strong relationships. Mexico will lead an enhanced dialogue on developing and sharing rural Extension and best practices among states and provinces within the Rural Development Working Group.

The Canada-U.S., Mexico-Canada, and Mexico-U.S. Working Groups also met to discuss their important bi-lateral trade relationships. Liberalized trade and regulatory cooperation were discussed, along with issues including: food safety, climate change, the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, organic standards, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), pollinators, and monarch butterflies. The Canada-U.S. delegates approved a joint letter to be sent to the U.S. and Canadian railways on the importance of an efficient and reliable rail system to meet international and domestic sales commitments.  They also agreed to continue the working groups on bee health and pollinators, and animal health (formerly the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus working group). The Mexico-Canada delegates discussed market access for beef and approved a joint letter to be sent to APHIS requesting the restoration of full market access for sheep and goats. The Mexico-U.S. delegates discussed forming a Port Risk Committee to collaborate on issues related to cross border movement.  Delegates also discussed the need for ongoing collaboration on a series of plant and animal health issues.

The delegates reaffirmed the value of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord as a forum to address trade issues of importance to all three countries. In addition, the attached joint statements were agreed to by the respective bilateral and tri-lateral working groups.

During the meeting, Canada extended an invitation to Mexico and U.S. delegates to attend the 25^th meeting of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord in 2016.

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Secretary Hector Padilla, Jalisco Rural Development, Mexico Delegation

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Mr. Arthur Potts, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Canada Delegation

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Secretary Jeff Witte, New Mexico Department of Agriculture, United States Delegation

24^thTri-National Agricultural Accord Working Group Joint Statements

Tri-Lateral Harmonization Meeting:

Provincial and State delegates from Canada, the United States and Mexico have agreed to the following joint statements.

Tri-National Joint Statement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

Provincial and State Agriculture Officials from Mexico, Canada, and the United States commend the federal governments of our respective countries for the successful conclusion of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).  The TPP agreement holds tremendous promise for greater liberalization of trade and integration, enabling long-term gains across the region. We encourage cooperation on efforts to build awareness and understanding among North American agriculture stakeholders of the impacts and opportunities resulting from the TPP.  We commit to continued cooperation as the agreement proceeds through ratification in national legislatures.

Tri-National Joint Statement on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Delegates from Mexico, Canada, and the United States recognize the significant negative impacts the recent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak has had on poultry producers across North America.  We agree to enhance trilateral collaboration on enhanced biosecurity practices, improve early detection and surveillance activities, and to work collaboratively to mitigate the impacts of future animal disease incidents. Delegates also support the establishment of joint zoning initiatives in advance of disease outbreaks to control highly contagious animal disease outbreaks while maintaining trade in animal and animal products. We will work together to facilitate these activities through cross-border communication and sharing information on best practices and lessons-learned to mitigate the impact future HPAI incidents or other emerging disease issues may have on North American producers.

Tri-National Joint Statement on Pollinators

Delegates from Mexico, Canada, and the United States recognize the important role commercially managed honeybees and other pollinators play in crop pollination, honey production, and ecosystem health across North America.  We recognize there are numerous and complex factors associated with pollinator health, including: parasites and diseases, lack of genetic diversity, need for improved forage and nutrition, need for increased collaboration and information sharing, and a need for additional research on the potential impacts certain pesticides may have on pollinator health. Furthermore, the countries recognize the need for policies that protect pollinators must be balanced against the need for pest management products by the agriculture sector and their responsible use. We encourage cooperation across North America on state or provincial-level partnerships that seek to enhance stakeholder collaboration and pragmatic solutions. We fully support enhanced research to understand, address, and prevent pollinator losses, as well as additional efforts to improve forage and habitat for pollinators throughout North America.

Tri-National Joint Statement on Food Safety

Delegates from the United States, Canada and Mexico recognize the important role food safety plays in trade between the three nations. We agree to continue to cooperate as implementation of new food safety requirements proceeds and to look for additional opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we emphasize the important role of the Tri-National Accord to facilitate efforts to harmonize food safety requirements in North America, and the value that may have in facilitating the development of a potential global model.

Mexico-Canada Bilateral Meeting:

Mexico-Canada Joint Statement on U.S. Country of Origin Labelling

Delegates from Canada and Mexico recalled that the United States (U.S.) mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) has been found to be non-compliant with the U.S. WTO obligations as it continues to discriminate against Canadian and Mexican agriculture and livestock.  COOL also erodes the integrated livestock and meat processing industry that supports jobs and exports in Canada, Mexico and the United States.  Delegates reaffirmed that a failure by the United States to bring its laws into compliance with  WTO obligations is likely to lead to retaliatory trade restrictions by Canada and Mexico against a wide variety of U.S. products, expanding beyond agriculture goods.  Delegates believe that further trade restrictions do not solve the problem and add nothing to the economies of Canada, Mexico and the U.S.  Delegates therefore encourage the U.S. Congress to move swiftly to pass a legislative solution to COOL that will remove the discrimination and damages caused by current legislation.

Mexico-U.S. Bilateral Meeting:

U.S.-Mexico Joint Statement on Organic Equivalency Negotiations

State Agriculture Officials from Mexico and the United States recognize the importance of the organic products trade between both countries, as well as Mexico’s new organic certification program and ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico on an organic equivalency arrangement. We support the swift and successful conclusion of an organic equivalency arrangement between both countries and the successful implementation of Mexico’s new organic certification program. 

U.S.-Mexico Joint Statement on Monarch Butterflies

State Agriculture Officials from Mexico and the United States recognize the importance of efforts to alleviate challenges impacting the Eastern North American Monarch butterflies’ migration route, which extends from much of the U.S. through concentrated areas in Mexico.  These challenges include deforestation, forest fires, illegal logging operations, and others.  We encourage the development of public-private partnership initiatives to enhance education, awareness, and habitat restoration in order to facilitate the monarchs’ migration route and preserve their overwintering habitats. We also urge additional research and bi-lateral collaboration to forward scientifically-sound conservation efforts to promote and preserve monarch habitat.

Canada-U.S. Bilateral Meeting:

U.S.-Canada Joint Statement on U.S. Country of Origin Labeling

Delegates from Canada and the United States (U.S.) had frank discussions on the current World Trade Organization dispute over U.S. mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) between Canada, Mexico and the United States.  Canada and Mexico’s federal governments have signaled likely retaliatory trade restrictions if not resolved against a wide variety of U.S. products, expanding beyond agricultural goods, following the WTO decision finding U.S. COOL requirements a violation of the U.S.’s international obligations.  While the U.S. Congress has taken action this summer to move toward an appropriate legislative resolution, we request continued, timely movement toward a resolution that will avoid the institution of retaliatory tariffs.

U.S.-Canada Joint Statement on Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC)

Provincial and State Agriculture Officials reaffirm our support of the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) initiatives focused on the agriculture sector, which includes work on zoning, pesticides and veterinary drugs.  We are pleased with the progress that has been made to date to better align regulatory approaches between Canada and the United States. Under the new phase of the RCC (Joint Forward Plan), work at the federal level continues on the agriculture initiatives. While these issues will be removed from the official Canada-U.S. bilateral work plan, we will continue to engage with stakeholders for input, to inform strategies, identify priorities and discuss progress on the implementation of initiatives as appropriate.