Strengthening Food Security and Agricultural Trade Across the Americas: A Collaborative Agenda
In a prominent meeting held in the United States, Muhammad Ibrahim, the newly appointed Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), focused on a collective agenda aimed at enhancing food security, biosecurity, and agricultural trade within the Americas. This visit marks his first since taking charge on January 15, and signifies a pivotal collaboration between IICA and key officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The talks were led by high-ranking USDA officials, including Luke J. Lindberg, the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and Michelle Bekkering, the Deputy Under Secretary. Together, they discussed how both organizations can work hand-in-hand to fortify the regional food supply, bolster safety measures, and improve agricultural trade through science-based regulations.
"U.S. and IICA have a unified interest in safeguarding the integrity of our food supply chain at the hemisphere level and in promoting trade practices that yield tangible benefits for producers and consumers alike," noted Ibrahim in a statement. He emphasized that the IICA is primed to actively execute this proactive agenda by enhancing sanitary and phytosanitary capacities among its 34 member states.
During discussions, critical topics included methods to boost food safety and biosecurity, effective regional capabilities to combat pests and diseases affecting crops and livestock, and strategies to better align agricultural trade between nations while ensuring scientifically-backed regulations are adhered to. Lindberg pointed out the importance of positioning the Americas as a reliable source for food, feed, fiber, and fuel globally, ensuring that the commercial relationships are beneficial for producers and strengthen market access, thereby supporting resilient supply chains.
Bekkering further stressed that standards grounded in scientific evidence and risk assessments are essential for a reliable and predictable agricultural trade landscape, along with effective measures to tackle cross-border threats. This cooperation would include enhancing biosecurity protocols, expanding early warning systems for pest threats and diseases, and developing coordinated response mechanisms to agricultural crises.
Furthermore, during the meetings, Director General Ibrahim reaffirmed IICA's commitment to support agricultural recovery efforts in Venezuela, focusing on a structured approach to agricultural development and market access in collaboration with the USDA. With its longstanding presence in Venezuela, the IICA can be instrumental in facilitating technical cooperation, reinforcing institutional capacities, and implementing risk management practices aligned with broader hemispheric goals of food security and stability.
This collaboration comes at a time of increasing pressure on global food systems, emphasizing the need for interconnected agricultural policies that are responsive to both local and international demands. The IICA and USDA aim to ensure that not only are agricultural markets more integrated but that food systems are also resilient enough to endure challenges posed by climate change, market fluctuations, and health crises. By working together, these organizations hope to create a more secure food future for the Americas, benefiting farmers and consumers alike.
The talks were led by high-ranking USDA officials, including Luke J. Lindberg, the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and Michelle Bekkering, the Deputy Under Secretary. Together, they discussed how both organizations can work hand-in-hand to fortify the regional food supply, bolster safety measures, and improve agricultural trade through science-based regulations.
"U.S. and IICA have a unified interest in safeguarding the integrity of our food supply chain at the hemisphere level and in promoting trade practices that yield tangible benefits for producers and consumers alike," noted Ibrahim in a statement. He emphasized that the IICA is primed to actively execute this proactive agenda by enhancing sanitary and phytosanitary capacities among its 34 member states.
During discussions, critical topics included methods to boost food safety and biosecurity, effective regional capabilities to combat pests and diseases affecting crops and livestock, and strategies to better align agricultural trade between nations while ensuring scientifically-backed regulations are adhered to. Lindberg pointed out the importance of positioning the Americas as a reliable source for food, feed, fiber, and fuel globally, ensuring that the commercial relationships are beneficial for producers and strengthen market access, thereby supporting resilient supply chains.
Bekkering further stressed that standards grounded in scientific evidence and risk assessments are essential for a reliable and predictable agricultural trade landscape, along with effective measures to tackle cross-border threats. This cooperation would include enhancing biosecurity protocols, expanding early warning systems for pest threats and diseases, and developing coordinated response mechanisms to agricultural crises.
Furthermore, during the meetings, Director General Ibrahim reaffirmed IICA's commitment to support agricultural recovery efforts in Venezuela, focusing on a structured approach to agricultural development and market access in collaboration with the USDA. With its longstanding presence in Venezuela, the IICA can be instrumental in facilitating technical cooperation, reinforcing institutional capacities, and implementing risk management practices aligned with broader hemispheric goals of food security and stability.
This collaboration comes at a time of increasing pressure on global food systems, emphasizing the need for interconnected agricultural policies that are responsive to both local and international demands. The IICA and USDA aim to ensure that not only are agricultural markets more integrated but that food systems are also resilient enough to endure challenges posed by climate change, market fluctuations, and health crises. By working together, these organizations hope to create a more secure food future for the Americas, benefiting farmers and consumers alike.
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