The CFA co-hosted the 12th annual Agri-Business Working Group (ABWG) of the Canada- Mexico Partnership (CMP) held November 23-24 in Ottawa.
This annual forum brings industry and government representatives from each country together to discuss issues of mutual interest or concerns and develop
workplans to address the issues. This year, about 40 people from both countries attended the ABWG meeting.
Cross cutting topics discussed included the potential of direct trade between Canada and Mexico, the farmers’ position on environment and climate change, an overview of the Safe Food for Canadians Act and empowering farmers through a farmers business alliance.
In addition, 5 sub-sectors of the Canadian and Mexican agriculture industry outlined issues specifically related to their sectors. The young farmers of both countries outlined the results of their strategy session held earlier in the week.
The Canadian sheep and goats sector outlined Canada’s Scrapie Eradication Program while Mexico described its program to improve genetics of sheep in that country. Industry representatives from both countries outlined the consumption trends of organic products and fruits and vegetables in Canada and Mexico, while the Canadian oilseeds sector described the low-level presence of GMO policy model that the Canadian government has adopted and is advocating as an international standard.