United States (U.S.)-Canada Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA)

Washington, D.C.
February 28, 2014

1. Introductions and Opening Remarks

The United States and Canada emphasized the importance of the bilateral agricultural relationship including working together to achieve common objectives globally.  Both sides agreed that the recent addition of quarterly coordinator calls will improve the effectiveness of the CCA and allow room for more strategically focused discussion at face to face meetings. 

Review of June 2013 Action Items

The United States and Canada discussed the action items and agreed that the list is a useful tool to track specific accomplishments.

Adoption of Minutes

The United States and Canada adopted the June 2013 CCA minutes.

CCA Co-Chair’s Meeting Read-out

The United States and Canada agreed that the co-chairs meeting provides a useful opportunity for frank discussion.  The co-chairs reported that they discussed financial risk mitigation for produce sellers; the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC); the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP); World Trade Organization (WTO) post-Bali implementation issues; grain trade; Canada’s new trade promotion boards; U.S. country of origin labeling, and the need to continue to work collaboratively on issues in third country markets.

2. Trade Issues

Review of Dairy Actions

The United States raised Canada’s November 2013 amendment to its Customs Tariff for food preparations containing cheese and indicated that they would submit further questions at the March 2014 meeting of the WTO Committee on Agriculture.  Canada noted the U.S. position. The U.S. asked Canada to provide advance notice of any future actions affecting dairy trade. 

Canada’s Grain Grading Requirements

The United States shared U.S. industry concerns over the application of Canada’s grain grading program to U.S. imports.  The United States also submitted comments to the options paper that Canada published in August 2013 regarding variety registration.  Canada is reviewing all comments on their options paper and will use the results to develop a policy proposal to streamline the grain import process.  The United States welcomed Canada’s transparent process and asked that Canada keep the Canada-U.S. Grain and Seed Task Group informed of any upcoming changes.  The United States also asked that Canada provide the Task Group notice regarding their control authorities on grain in transit to third countries.

U.S. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) Regulations

Canada welcomed the final U.S. BSE comprehensive rule published in 2013. 

Canada requested an update on the timing of the TSE rule, and the United States offered to provide an update at the next CCA meeting.  Canada and the United States discussed the impact of the change in the U.S. risk status at the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on U.S. third country market access.  

Requirements for Potatoes

Canada raised the importance of achieving a permanent solution on requirements for certification of seed potatoes exported to the U.S. in time for shipping of the 2014 crop.  The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are working to address U.S. concerns while taking into account Canada’s proposed revisions to its Seed Potato Quality Management Program.    

Canada was very pleased with the science-based approach to the potato cyst nematode issue.  APHIS, CFIA, and the U.S. and Canadian industry are working toward an approach that will reduce testing requirements.  At the last CCA in June 2013, both countries committed to address soybean cyst nematode, which was accomplished.  Both countries cited this as an example of successful collaboration.  The next phase will be to complete the necessary steps to address potato cyst nematode.

3. International engagement and cooperation

Low-Level Presence (LLP)

Canada is continuing to work on its domestic LLP policy and advocating for international engagement including through multilateral fora.  The United States and Canada agreed to work together on biotech issues of mutual interest. 

Codex

Canada highlighted the importance of Codex work and the role of science in the application of standards decision making.  Canada discussed sharing outreach plans and best practices for engaging stakeholders.  The United States and Canada also agreed on the need to identify funding alternatives to support the work of the scientific expert bodies.  The United States recognized the importance of science-based standards and welcomed collaboration to identify mechanisms for alternative funding sources for Codex scientific bodies and reiterated support for the Canadian candidate as the next Codex Chair.

4. Collaboration

Science and Technology (S&T)

The United States and Canada agreed that the goal of joint progress report on science and technology is to outline common priorities and avoid duplication of efforts.  The United States noted the need to focus on S&T projects that are most relevant to the trade related discussions in the CCA.  Both sides agreed to pursue discussions for this purpose.

Provincial State Advisory Group (PSAG)

The coordinators will continue outreach to PSAG officials, including scheduling a coordinators call with PSAG ahead of the next CCA and Tri-National Accord meetings next fall, to identify issues of interest and seek ways to improve the PSAG reporting relationship to the CCA.

5. Next Steps

New CCA Vision

The United States and Canada agreed to continue work on the gap analysis to identify areas where the United States and Canada are currently working in collaboration (either formally or informally).  Before the next CCA, the coordinators will provide a summary to the CCA co-chairs that identifies gaps and provides recommendations for enhancing the work of the CCA.  In addition, Canada and the United States agreed that coordination on third country market access issues will be a standing item on future CCA agendas.

Draft February 2014 Action Items

The United States and Canada agreed to a list of action items that will be reported out during the next CCA.