Media Contact: Steve Lyle, Office of Public Affairs, (916) 654-0462, steve.lyle@cdfa.ca.gov
Border Governors conference to feature agricultural discussions
SACRAMENTO, June 7, 2001-California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. looks forward to furthering an already productive relationship with Mexican agricultural officials this week at a Border Governors conference in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
The agenda items include a proposed pledge to coordinate our responses to animal diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease caused by the recent outbreaks of the disease in the United Kingdom and South America. If adopted, the pledge of support would encourage Border States to synchronize their regulatory approaches to Foot-and-Mouth Disease, and to increase communication with federal agencies in both the United States and Mexico.
“Our two countries share a common bond that includes addressing challenges posed by a multitude of agricultural issues,” said Secretary Lyons. “These meetings provide an important opportunity to find common ground, which increases our overall effectiveness. I’m honored to continue to represent Governor Davis on behalf of California agriculture.”
Governors and key cabinet members from 10 U.S. and Mexican Border States meet regularly to work towards consensus on issues of mutual concern.
Previously, the conference’s Agricultural Work Table identified issues for further consideration that includes food safety, preventing, controlling and eradicating plant and animal diseases, providing research and educational exchanges, and adoption of cohesive, consistent inspection methods at our border stations.
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