Canada, the United States and Mexico have signed an
agreement to cooperate to deal with avian influenza.
Government animal health authorities from the three
countries, together with the heads of trade associations that represent the
poultry and egg industries, signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) on avian
influenza during a ceremony Tuesday in Los Cabos.
The LOU recognizes that the spread of AI by migratory birds
is one of greatest challenges facing the global poultry industry, and that the
three countries need to harmonize their methods for dealing with AI to keep
their poultry production systems safe and sustainable, and to minimize trade
disruptions that can result from AI detections in commercial poultry.
The arrangement also creates a tripartite working group
composed of government animal health officials and industry representatives
from the three countries that will serve as a forum for regular scientific
discussions on AI and which will also consider any recommendations involving AI
made by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
The LOU establishes clear objectives for enhanced
cooperation and lays the groundwork for sharing technical information on AI
prevention, control, preparedness, recovery, and the risks of AI posed by
migratory birds.
