BORDER GOVERNORS 2004 JOINT DECLARATION
Recommendations and Action Plans 

ISSUE I       ISSUE II       ISSUE III

ISSUE I: Increased trade (both domestic and international) has been a tremendous boost to our economy and has provided agriculture producers with immense opportunities to expand their markets.  However, increased trade has inadvertently increased the introductions of pests and diseases for both plant and animal products.  Such introductions can devastate an agricultural industry not only through the destruction of the product but also through loss of markets.  In order to protect animal and plant crops in both countries an educational interchange is needed between the two countries. Action: Protecting animal and plant crops from pests and diseases is paramount to the health of the agricultural industries and economies in both countries.  The ten border state agricultural departments will conduct two bi-national workshops.  One workshop will focus on animal pests and diseases and the other workshop will focus on plant pests and diseases.  They will promote biosecurity, the interchange of educational information/materials and allow for sharing of best management practices.  The ultimate result will be the development of a set of guidelines that can be followed for pest and disease management and eradication.  Steps: By July 2004, lead states will develop an agenda and specific items for the workshops to focus on animal (i.e., foot and mouth disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, tuberculosis and cattle ticks) and plant (Ralstonia, Soybean rust, etc.) pests/diseases. By August 2004, a date and place will be determined for the meetings. Once topics are decided, potential speakers will be contacted to participate. A list of invitees will be created and invitations will be sent to attend. Committees will be organized at each of these workshops to address how to facilitate the creation of emergency response contingency funds in each border state for animal and plant diseases, respectively. Resources Needed: Funding will be needed for accommodations and for travel-related costs for speakers and trainees.  The BGC AWT envisions seeking funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca, y Alimentación (SAGARPA), industry associations and state educational institutions to conduct these workshops. Funding will be required for the reproduction and/or development of educational materials and for dissemination of information to the industry.  If materials produced by the Avian Health Program are used, then no additional funds for development are necessary. If funding is not attained the workshops cannot be conducted. Responsibilities: Arizona and Sonora will take the lead in developing the animal health workshop. Texas and Nuevo Leon will take the lead in developing the plant health workshop. California and Baja California will take the lead in distributing materials to the other states.  (They have already been involved in the development).

ISSUE II:  The events of September 11, 2001, have caused all ten border state agricultural departments to redefine how agricultural production and the entire food supply and food chain are protected from potential disruption either through natural means or terrorism.  While Texas and Coahuila have conducted cross border tabletop exercises involving livestock, it was determined that an entire cross border tabletop exercise be conducted. Action: In response to potential natural or terrorism threats to the agricultural industries in both countries, specifically on the border, the ten border state agricultural departments need to redefine how agricultural production and the entire food supply and food chain are protected from disruption.  In order to do this, a tabletop exercise will be developed and conducted with participation from all ten border state agricultural departments. Steps: Coordinate with state homeland security agencies and first responders to develop a border tabletop exercise focused on agriculture. Conduct a regional tabletop exercise Work with DHS and FDA to develop and secure supply/chain protocol. Create an emergency response contingency fund in each state. Plan for emergency response and train personnel. Resources: The BGC-AWT will seek funding through USDA and DHS. Responsibilities: New Mexico and Chihuahua will take the lead in developing and conducting the tabletop exercise. Each BGC-AWT state will share progress of the creation of an emergency response contingency fund for agriculture.

ISSUE III: Chemical and microbiological food contamination is a serious matter.  The development and implementation of quality assurance programs that employ good agricultural and food processing practices that will reduce the risk of chemical and microbiological contamination in foods is needed to ensure the public is protected.  Action: The BGC-AWT will conduct a special meeting at the annual regional food safety summit in Ensenada to develop acceptable quality assurance measures to be used by producers and processors alike in both countries.  These measures will employ good agricultural and food processing practices to reduce the risk of chemical and microbiological contamination in foods in order to ensure the public is protected from potential illness.  A special task force will also be created to develop an information system to disseminate timely information to producers and food processing companies. Steps: BGC AWT states will develop a list of Agricultural producers and processors to be invited and invite them to participate in special meeting on food safety. Food safety agencies (both federal and state) in each country will be invited to attend and be presenters.  Resources: Resources will be needed for travel to Ensenada. Responsibilities: Baja California and California will take the lead in coordinating this meeting. Each BGC-AWT state will develop a list of its producers/processors to be invited to the meeting.