Meat & Livestock News

Meat Institute Collaborates with Canadian and Mexican Groups to Enhance Trade and Lower Regulatory Hurdles

TL;DR:

  • The Canadian Meat Council, Consejo Mexicano de la Carne, and the Meat Institute have signed an MOU to boost trade, lower regulatory barriers, and improve information sharing in North America.
  • They aim to tackle foreign animal diseases, promote sustainability, and address non-tariff trade barriers, enhancing public-private collaboration.
  • The partnership focuses on sharing best practices for disease mitigation, advancing sustainable agriculture, and streamlining regulatory processes to ensure efficient, safe meat production and trade.

In a significant move to bolster the meat industry’s growth and cooperation across North America, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC), Consejo Mexicano de la Carne (COMECARNE), and the Meat Institute have formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

This agreement underscores their joint efforts to enhance trade, streamline regulatory frameworks, and facilitate better information exchange among Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

During COMECARNE’s Annual Convention in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the organisations unveiled a Joint Statement of Coordination. This statement highlights their unified approach to combat foreign animal diseases, advance sustainability initiatives, and overcome non-tariff trade barriers.

The discussions at the convention focused on actionable steps outlined in the Joint Statement, aiming to kickstart these initiatives. The details of these agreements were also communicated to governmental agriculture and trade officials in the three countries, signalling a push towards more effective public-private partnerships.

The document released by the three organisations emphasises the interconnected nature of the North American meat industry and its economic interdependence. It pledges a commitment to deepen the partnership on various fronts, including those not mentioned in the document.

The groups aim to facilitate more regular and formal interactions among themselves and with government bodies. Such efforts are expected to benefit local communities and workers, enhance regional and global food security, and reduce regulatory and legal obstacles that hinder industry integration.

Key areas of focus include combating Foreign Animal Disease like African Swine Fever through shared information and preparedness exercises, promoting sustainable agricultural practices through voluntary programs like the Protein PACT, and addressing technical or other trade barriers by advocating for streamlined regulatory processes. These initiatives are designed to ensure that meat products are delivered to consumers quickly, safely, and in the freshest state possible.

The collaboration extends to tackling challenges such as packaging and labelling policies, segregation regulations, and protectionist measures not based on scientific principles. By enhancing coordination and advocating for science- and risk-based trade policies, the partnership aims to maintain the North American meat industry’s leadership in innovative and efficient practices.

The CMC, COMECARNE, and the Meat Institute plan to reconvene this summer to assess progress and adjust their joint efforts as needed, ensuring ongoing improvement and alignment in their collaborative endeavours.

About the Meat Institute

The Meat Institute, representing the United States meat packing and processing industry, stands as the nation’s oldest and largest trade association in this sector. With over 350 member companies, including many small businesses, it accounts for the majority of the U.S. meat and turkey production, highlighting its significant role in the industry’s landscape.