Dec. 8, 2011, Washington – Canadian horticulture producers got an early Christmas present, courtesy of the Joint Action Plan initiatives proposed at yesterday’s Regulatory Co-operation Council meeting.
Prime Minister Steven Harper and President Barrack Obama discussed two action plans designed to assist cross-border trade and align regulatory approaches between Canada and the United States.
The broad plan has been well received by all sectors, says the Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC).
CHC president Jack Bates notes that “the Joint Action Plan Initiatives related to financial risk mitigation tools, crop protection product approvals, a perimeter approach to plant protection and common approaches to food safety are exactly what industry has been seeking for many years.”
These, along with a number of other items will help enhance producer competitiveness and lead to further innovation in horticulture.
Specifically, the Joint Action Plan initiatives will benefit Canada’s horticultural industry by:
• Focusing Canadian and U.S. efforts on enhanced collaboration in food safety and activities to allow for assessment and possible recognition of system comparability.
• Allowing greater access for producers to tools available to manage production problems by further aligning crop protection product (e.g., pesticides) approvals and establishment of maximum pesticide residue limits/tolerances.
• Assisting with financial risk mitigation associated with the damage caused by the introduction and spread of harmful plant pests, diseases and invasive alien species.
• Developing a perimeter approach to plant protection with a view to leverage each country’s efforts to mutual advantage and, where possible, streamline certification requirements for cross-border shipments.
Detailed backgrounders on the Joint Action Plan for the Canada-United States Regulatory Co-operation Council and the areas of cooperation and what the initiatives will mean are available at www.borderactionplan.gc.ca.
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