Action Items

action items

2018 Action Items

Action Item 1 - The Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER), in both the United States (U.S.) and Canada, recognize the importance of trade and the immense benefits realized under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The agriculture sector in particular has been a major benefactor, creating deeply integrated cross border supply chains that have enhanced our competitiveness internationally. Members of the PNWER Agriculture Working Group urge both the U.S. and Canadian federal governments to continue negotiating a modernized and enhanced NAFTA.

Action Item 2 - We believe the U.S. and Canada should enhance competitiveness by becoming more effective and efficient through the adoption of new and cutting edge technologies. A science-based regulatory system is needed to support our industry’s efforts in this area and this requires strong leadership internationally from both Canada and the U.S. to address issues with countries whose regulations are less than sciencebased. As such, members of PNWER encourage the U.S. and Canada to continue pushing for science-based regulation in the agriculture sector in forums like Codex Alimentarius Commission and the OIE World Organization for Animal Health.

2017 Action Items

Action Item 1 - Representatives from agriculture sectors of the Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER), in both the United States (U.S.) and Canada, recognize the importance of trade and the benefits currently realized under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Members of the PNWER Agriculture Working Group urge both the U.S. and Canadian federal governments to proceed quickly with modernizing NAFTA and commit to do no harm to the integrated North American agriculture industries.

Action Item 2 - Members of PNWER urge leaders in both the U.S. and Canada to push for science based regulation in the agriculture sector and continue to advance regulatory alignment and cooperation. It is important for the U.S. and Canada to work together and take a leadership role internationally on these issues to ensure that plant and animal health restrictions are based on fact, not feeling. These issues include maximum residue levels, low level presence policies and the advancement of science based standards, guidelines and codes of practice adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the OIE World Organization for Animal Health.

2016 Action Items

Action Item 1 - Continue to advocate to resolve regulatory barriers affecting Canada-U.S. agri-food trade, such as U.S. grain exports to Canada.

Action Item 2 - Identify the RCC anti-microbial working group leads and schedule a conference call with our Agriculture and livestock health members to share information and ask questions.

Action Item 3 - Provide members with the link to the federal registrar to comment on the newly announced USDA rules related to the import of small ruminants to the US and through to Mexico and Latin America.

2015 Action Items

Action Item 1 - Continue to advocate to resolve regulatory barriers affecting Canada-U.S. agrifood trade, such as U.S. grain exports to Canada and Country of Origin Labeling.

Action Item 2 - Encourage the RCC to advance a CFIAU.S.FDA comparability agreement related to Safe Foods for Canadians Act/ Food Safety Modernization Act; and promote awareness of regulatory changes among industry.

Action Item 3 - Partner with the PNWER transportation working group to provide input on harmonization of trucking size and weight standards and implications for agriculture.

2014 Action Items

Action Item 1 - The Cross Border Livestock Health Conference Working Group suggest the Regulatory Cooperation Council work towards harmonizing state/federal requirements for exportation of cattle.

Action Item 2 - Review OIE animal welfare standards to see how they relate to guidelines established in Canada and USA, with the goal of greater consistency between the two countries.

Action Item 3 - Have a regular update on action item progress throughout the year to ensure progress continues on the approved action items.

Action Item 4 - Ensure the CBLHC working group gets local and national industry input on the 2015 CBLHC agenda development in order to promote attendance by industry groups.

2013 Action Items

Action Item 1 - Have the Cross Border Livestock Health Conference Working Group develop a One Health risk communication strategy in conjunction with the PNWER Health Working Group on issues that affect human, animal and environmental health.

Action Item 2 - The Cross Border Livestock Health Conference Working Group form a subcommittee to develop a list of issues to propose to the Regulatory Council Cooperation request for new action plans. This will include a communication plan on animal welfare perceptions and realities affecting both Canada and USA livestock industries. Timeline - RCC asking for ideas in Fall 2013.

Action Item 3 - The Cross Border Livestock Health Conference Working Group propose that the RCC encourage CFIA to adopt the electronic certification system Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) for livestock that USDA-APHIS has already begun piloting in March 2012.

Action Item 4 - Form a working group to discuss import/export requirements of livestock at the border and determine if there are any processes that can be harmonized. Project Team - Canadian Pork Swine Health Board to provide name Initial Project Lead - Aaron Canart