State and provincial agriculture officials gather to strengthen food systems and trade across North America

Members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and their state and provincial counterparts from Mexico and Canada today issued a joint communiqué underscoring the role of states and provinces in expanding and improving the competitiveness of North American Trade. North American state and provincial agriculture officials gathered this week for the 31st annual TriNational Agricultural Accord.

NASDA President and Wyoming Department of Agriculture Director Doug Miyamoto led the U.S. Delegation for the conference.

“By collaborating as a North American trade alliance, we have and will continue to expand opportunities for current and future generations of farmers, ranchers and all who contribute to our food system. We look forward to continuing to steward the advancement of agriculture in our states, countries and across the world,” Miyamoto said.

In addition to joint statements on the bilateral meetings with Canada and Mexico, the three countries held productive sessions on the important role of technology and crop protection tools in meeting agricultural development, food security and sustainability goals within the North American trading bloc. Additional sessions discussed soil health and conservation, supply chain integrity, regulatory harmonization and foreign animal disease prevention.

The Tri-National Agricultural Accord is the primary opportunity for senior state and provincial agricultural officials of the United States, Canada and Mexico to work together on agricultural trade and development issues. The accord represents a longstanding commitment to collaboration on trade between the three countries, and the current meeting arrangement dates back to 1992.

Canada will host the 32nd annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord in 2023.