North America’s Ag Leaders Unite to Safeguard Food Security and Trade

By Jamie Martin

Agricultural leaders from across North America gathered for the 34th Tri-National Agricultural Accord, issuing a powerful joint communiqué that reaffirms their shared commitment to food security, trade competitiveness, and agricultural innovation.

Led by NASDA Board Member and Arizona’s Director of Agriculture Paul Brierley, the U.S. delegation joined provincial and state counterparts from Canada and Mexico to address pressing challenges and opportunities in the agri-food sector.

“By working together as a North American alliance, we increase access to food for everyone and create opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food producers across all our communities,” said Brierley. “We’re committed to acting on our discussions to better equip our farming and ranching communities against animal diseases and harmful pests.”

Among the key outcomes of the accord:

• Endorsement of USMCA/T-MEC/CUSMA: Delegates voiced strong support for extending the trilateral trade agreement for another 16 years, citing its role in reducing trade barriers and fostering predictable, science-based commerce.
• Animal Health Preparedness: A tabletop exercise hosted by USDA APHIS at Johns Hopkins University in August 2025 helped delegates share insights and strategies for managing animal disease outbreaks and improving cross-border coordination.
• Innovation and Sustainability: The accord emphasized collaborative efforts in agricultural innovation, natural resource conservation, and science-driven policy development.
• Championing Women in Agriculture: In anticipation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, delegates recognized the essential contributions of women and committed to advancing their representation in the sector.

The Tri-National Agricultural Accord, established in 1992, remains the cornerstone of agricultural cooperation among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The next meeting will be hosted by Alberta in Calgary from September 28 to October 1, 2026.

Photo Credit:gettyimages-evgeny-gromov