2009 Action Items

• Action Item 1 - Work with officials from the Canadian and US governments to encourage the acceptance of electronic documentation and endorsement for the import/export of live animals and products within and between the two countries. Project Team - Dr. Ted Williams, United States Department of Agriculture; Dr. Keith Lehman, Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Rick McRonald, Canadian Livestock Genetics Association; Kerry St. Cyr, Canadian Cattle Identification Agency.
  
  Initial Project Lead - Jack Field, Washington Cattlemen’s Association.
  
  
  
  
• Action Item 2 - Investigate and report progress on harmonization of livestock trucker training programs in Canada and the US. Investigate proposed and instituted changes to livestock transportation in Canada and the US and obtain the OIE report/direction regarding livestock transportation in Canada and the US. Project Team - Mike Siemens, Cargill; Jackie Wepruk, National Farmed Animal Care Council; Nadia Shah, British Columbia Milk Producers Association.
  
  Initial Project Lead - Dr. Reynold Bergen, Alberta Beef Producers.
  
  
  
  
• Action Item 3 - Urge the USDA to expedite the rule making process to restore access for Canadian sheep and goats, and work with the federal officials from Canada and the United States to achieve this goal. Project Team - Dr. Brian McCluskey, United States Department of Agriculture.
  
  Initial Project Lead - Rick McRonald, Canadian Livestock Genetics Association.
  
  
  
  
• Action Item 4 - Make the cross border Livestock Health conference an annual event at the PNWER Annual Summit. Work with the 2010 host committee to begin to plan next year’s event. Initial Project Lead - Dr. Bill Barton, Idaho State Department of Agriculture; Dr. Gerald Hauer, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Heather Shewchuk, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.