U.S., Mexico Sign Food Safety Agreement

September 5, 2001

Officials from the United States and Mexican governments have signed a cooperative arrangement intended to improve the safety of the food supplies in both nations. The arrangement, in conjunction with other cooperative measures, should help reduce the incidence of food-borne illnesses on both sides of the border.

"This agreement marks a very important new era in the food safety efforts of both our countries," Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "It recognizes the strong bond between Mexico and the United States – a bond that is reflected in the enormous increase in the trade of food commodities across our borders."

Under the terms of the arrangement, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USDA and Mexico's Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación (SAGARPA) and Secretaría de Salud (SSA) will expand programs, share information and coordinate specific activities.

FDA, SSA and SAGARPA will share information on the sources of fresh produce and investigate the causes of any contamination of these products. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and Foreign Agriculture Service and SAGARPA will work to ensure the safety of meat, poultry and egg products in both countries.

Officials said the efforts are expected to ensure that borders remain open and that safe products continue to flow freely between the countries. The agencies will also collaborate on other specific projects to achieve common understanding on issues of mutual concern.

"With the high level of trade between our countries, cooperation on food safety is vital," USDA's Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks said. "Working together on harmonized regulations, inspection standards and information exchanges will improve the food safety for citizens in both our countries."

Thompson and Hawks signed the arrangement along with Dr. Julio Frenk, Mexico's secretary of health, and Javier Trujillo, director in chief of Mexico's National Service for Protection, Food Safety and Quality of Agricultural Products in Mexico's Ministry of Agriculture.