U.S. - Mexico Binational Commission Working Group on Agriculture

Released by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Washington, DC
November 12, 2003

BACKGROUND
The Working Group on Agriculture report of the twentieth meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission is based on extensive bilateral dialogue over the past year, which includes the activities of the Consultative Committee on Agriculture. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann M. Veneman, and the Mexican Secretary of Agriculture Javier A. Usabiaga, agree on the following:

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Working Group Accomplishments since BNC 2002

Consultative Committee on Agriculture: A key element of the U.S.-Mexico MOU on agricultural trade signed in 2002 is the establishment of a bilateral Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) that serves as a mechanism for addressing and resolving bilateral agricultural trade issues. The U.S. and Mexico held a meeting of the CCA in Mexico City on April 23, 2003, and reviewed progress that both governments have made on a number of agricultural trade issues.

Cooperation on Poultry Trade: The United States and Mexico agreed on developed a common understanding of the challenges facing the Mexican pork and poultry sectors by completing a cooperative study of the two industries. In light of concerns about the upcoming elimination of Mexican duties and quotas on U.S. pork and poultry in January 2003, the study identified possible ways to improve the competitiveness of Mexican producers.

Agri-Environmental Memorandum Of Understanding: On July 30, Secretary Veneman met with then Mexico's Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Victor Lichtinger, in Washington, DC, to sign the Agri-Environmental Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The USDA-SEMARNAT Agri-Environmental Initiative is designed to address many emerging agri-environmental concerns, particularly those in the areas of biotechnology, forestry, carbon sequestration, rural development and water management.

Collaboration on Bioterrrorism Act: Mexican officials provided valuable input in the development of the final regulations of U.S. bioterrorism legislation, enabling the regulations to allow greater flexibility for Mexican agricultural exports to enter the United States while at the same time protecting the U.S. food supply from bioterrorism.

Market Access for Mexican Horticultural Products: USDA has worked towards granting access for a variety of horticultural products during the past year. In May 2003, a final rule published in the Federal Register allowed large sized Mexican mangos access into the United States. In June 2003, USDA published a pest risk assessment on Mexican Hass avocados. This risk assessment responds to a request to remove certain restrictions on the importation of avocados from Mexico. Its purpose is to analyze the risks of expanding the existing Mexican Hass avocado import program to authorize imports of Mexican Hass avocados to all states during the entire year. On October 1, 2002, USDA published a rule change in the 11th Periodic Amendment to the fruit and vegetable regulations to allow for the importation of Mexican figs and mangos into the United States.

Harmonization of Agricultural Import Procedures: U.S. and Mexican regulatory plant health teams have held several bilateral meetings to develop work plans aimed at reducing or eliminating unnecessary burdens on horticultural shipments crossing the border.

Collaboration on Meat Inspection Issues: USDA worked with Mexican government and industry officials on a number of activities related to Mexico's meat inspection procedures, including the sponsoring of a technical consultant to help ensure Mexico continues to maintain an equivalent inspection system to the United States.

Progress on Swine and Pork trade: During 2003, Mexico lifted antidumping duties on U.S. live swine exports to Mexico, while the United States published a final rule declaring certain areas in Mexico free of Classical Swine Fever.

Food Sector Projections for Mexico: USDA and SAGARPA have been working jointly on the development of a Mexican food-sector projections model designed to enhance Mexican data and policy information.

Partnership for Prosperity: USDA has provided seed funding to Texas A&M University to initiate projects in rural Mexico to promote commercial and investment linkages of U.S. food retailers and processors with small and medium sized Mexican farmers. USDA sponsored a trade mission with SAGARPA and the Food Marketing Institute to Mexican production regions to help promote closer linkages between Mexican producers and U.S. retailers.

PLAN OF ACTION FOR 2003

The U.S.-Mexico BNC Working Group on Agriculture will continue working on the range of bilateral trade issues affecting U.S.-Mexico agricultural trade, including activities and issues under the Consultative Committee on Agriculture. The U.S. and Mexico are tentatively scheduled to hold the next meeting of the U.S.-Mexico Consultative Committee on Agriculture in early 2004 in Washington, D.C.