BORDER GOVERNORS’ CONFERENCE BRINGS NEW ACTION PLAN FOR AGRICULTURE

Biosecurity tops agenda

SACRAMENTO, July 1, 2002- The Border Governors’ Conference, a long-running, productive series of meetings between governors along the U.S./Mexico border, has developed a new action plan for agriculture for 2002-2003, including a recommendation to coordinate a biosecurity plan for the border states.

The action plan emerged during the conference’s annual meeting June 21-23 in Phoenix, Arizona, with agriculture officials from all 10 border states coming together to share ideas at the conference’s Agriculture Work Table.

“I look forward to continuing the success that has been demonstrated in working with all the border states on agricultural issues,” said CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr., who was re-elected as co-chair of the work table along with Dr. Enrique Salinas Aguilera of the Mexican state of Coahuila. “Our success is largely due to our recognition that we should work together to address the common challenges we face on both sides of the border.”

The plan calls for a review of current federal and state plans, for cooperation with government agencies, and for the development of a communication network to disseminate reliable information as quickly as possible.

The Agriculture Work Table has also resolved to collaborate with federal agriculture agencies in 2002-2003 to actively support and provide funding assistance for the prevention, control and eradication of plant and animal diseases and pests.

In past collaborations, the work table has arranged for workshops and training courses on animal diseases like bovine tuberculosis and foot and mouth disease, and has strengthened the food supply infrastructure with an improved capability to detect and respond to threats to both animals and plants.



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