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Minutes
from the Annual Meeting of the Executive and Coordinators Committee
Representatives
Phoenix, Arizona
June 21-22, 2002
Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
June 21 (Friday) 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
- Welcome, Introductions and Agenda Review
Secretary Lyons from California and Secretary Salinas from Coahuila
welcomed participants. The following states were represented:
Arizona, Baja California, California, Coahuila, New Mexico, Sonora,
Tamaulipas and Texas. The agenda was reviewed with no additional
changes.
- Review of 2001-2002 Accomplishments
The list of the 2001 and 2002 accomplishments was reviewed. Several
members commented on the positive performance of the AWT. Even
though the AWT was only established 2000, it has an excellent
reputation among the Border Governors group.
- Update on Foot and Mouth Disease Exercise.
Dr. James Lenarduzzi from the Texas Animal Health Commission shared
information about a Foreign Animal Disease Exercise that will be
conducted later this year with some of the Mexican Border States.
California will provide assistance by sending Dr. Dorothy
Davidson-York. Several Secretaries-Directors encouraged Texas to
invite the rest of the Border States.
- Fruit fly - Free Zone Concept
A draft letter to be sent to the federal secretaries of agriculture
from USA and Mexico was provided for review. The letter requests
additional funding for production and release of sterile fruit flies
(Anastrepha ludens). Texas is very concerned that the
number of wild flies caught this past season is among the
"highest ever". Specifically, the request is made to USDA
to provide additional money to begin a cooperative USDA/TDA
eradication effort in 2004. Director Jorge Zertuche from Tamaulipas
expressed concerned that asking for release of additional sterile
fruit flies would not solve the problem. He indicated that other
measures must also be implemented for the release of fruit flies to
be effective. These would include bait treatments, biological and
cultural control measures, quarantine stations and chemical
treatment to reduce fly populations. The group agreed to add
language in the letter to address Tamaulipas concerns. The letter
will be revised and sent for one more review to all states.
- Biological Control Seminar
Ing. Jose Lionel Camalich from Sonora presented information on a
Biological Control Seminar that will take place in Hermosillo,
Sonora on November 11-16, 2002. The seminar seeks to promote
biological control practices in agriculture, identify opportunities
for use of biological control and share scientific developments and
exchange of ideas. Seminar materials were provided and it was
suggested to place a link to the seminar website on the Agriculture
Work Table website.
- Food and Agriculture Security presentation and
discussion (Biosecurity)
Victor Velez from California presented information on what the
Border States are doing in the area of food and agriculture
biosecurity. This presentation represented compilation of
information submitted by Texas and California. Current efforts can
be summarized in the following areas: outreach via publications,
presentations and letters; development of partnerships with other
government agencies and industry; training of personnel, industry
and other agencies; infrastructure enhancement such as diagnostic
laboratory improvements and better information management. It was
requested that states continue sharing information.
- Other Items
Dr. John Hunt, on behalf of Director Sheldon Jones, presented the
Executive Committee members with a memento from the Arizona
Department of Agriculture. A current list of each state contacts was
distributed to all members for review. The meeting was then
adjourned for the day.
June 22 (Saturday) 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
- Group Review of 2002 Joint Declaration
Recommendations and Action Plans
The action plans for the 2002 recommendations were reviewed by the
AWT executive committee. (A copy will be sent with the final copy
of these agenda minutes).
Secretary Lyons proposed the drafting of a letter directed to both
federal Secretaries of Agriculture outlining items of interest to
the ten Border States such as communications infrastructure, and a
coordinator for border issues. This letter would be followed with a
meeting with producers and the Secretaries to discuss the needs.
Each state would invite two producers representing their animal and
plant industries. The letter would be sent within three months and a
meeting would be scheduled within six months. California will work
on the letter and the meeting. Secretary Juan Pablo Hernandez
offered Ensenada as a possible site for the meeting. Comments were
made that is preferable to have a site with easy airplane access
such as San Diego or Austin.
- New Election Procedures for Work Table Co-Chairs
The new election procedures were discussed. The main change
consisted on the co-chair selection being done by each work table
for a period of two years. It was mentioned that these changes were
initiated at the suggestion of the Agriculture Work Table. Coahuila
introduced an amendment to the Agriculture Work Table Structure
where Vice Chairs are elected to provide a transition between
co-chairs. The group discussed at length whether the vice chair
election would take effect the first or second year. The group
finally agreed that the election would occur the second year.
- 2002-2003 Co-Chairs Election
The group was reminded that at the Nogales meeting in May, 2002,
California and Coahuila were nominated to continue as Co-Chairs for
a second year. That decision was brought to the group for a vote.
All states present, Arizona, Baja California, New Mexico, Sonora,
Tamaulipas, and Texas voted for the two states to continue for a
second term.
The group then started the Vice-Chairs selection with Baja
California and Texas showing interest in the position. All states
present, Arizona, California, Coahuila, New Mexico, Sonora, and
Tamaulipas voted to select the two states as Vice-Chairs for
2002-2203 becoming Co-Chairs in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005.
- Other items
States provided comments on the contact representatives. Once
information is obtained from Chihuahua and Nuevo Leon, the
information will be posted on the web site. The letter to USDA and
SAGARPA requesting additional resources for production and release
of sterile fruit flies (Anastrepha ludens) was reviewed one
more time. After some editing changes, Tamaulipas and Baja
California requested additional time for their staff to review the
letter. Shashank Nilakhe from Texas agreed to finalize the changes
and sent for comments and Jose Lionel Camalich volunteered to
translate the letter into Spanish and distribute it. The meeting was
adjourned.
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