Canada Disappointed With U.S. Border Rules

OTTAWA - Jun 1/07 - SNS -- The special relationship Harper's Conservatives hoped to have with the U.S. administration is not delivering results to Canadian exporters hoping for relief from toughening border rules.

This forced Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl and International Trade Minister David Emerson to express disappointment with the USDA's decision to proceed with fees for agricultural quarantine inspections of fruit and vegetables grown in Canada.

In a joint statement intended to make it appear they were doing something about something over which they have no influence, the ministers said:

"Canada. . . is disappointed with the USDA's decision to proceed today with implementation of the interim rule as it relates to land conveyances. We stand by our position that this rule should be withdrawn, as Canadian agricultural exports continue to be low risk.

"Based on the efforts of the bilateral working group that was established to examine this issue, Canada has proposed an alternative approach to address any legitimate concerns identified in the U.S. rule. Our proposal was designed to enhance measures to effectively manage risks at their source instead of adding more costs and layers of control at the border.

"The working group also developed a bilateral vision and work plan that reflects the reality that our two countries must work together if we are to effectively manage the plant health risks we increasingly face as neighbors. Implementation of fees represents a missed opportunity to address common risks through a collaborative, innovative approach.

"The U.S. and Canada have a unique trading relationship which reflects the magnitude of our shared land border. The sheer volume, value and immediacy of our cross-border bilateral trade is a model unmatched by any other trading relationship in the world.

"Canada's New Government is prepared to re-engage in bilateral efforts to revisit this decision and establish a collaborative approach to border management, food safety, animal health and plant issues."