2018 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit: Full Schedule

2:30pm AKDT

Agriculture

Over the past two years the Agriculture Working Group has focused on trade with a primary examination of NAFTA and the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council Action Plan (RCC). The Working Group continues to provide input on cross-border agricultural trade issues to key decision makers in Ottawa and Washington DC.
http://www.pnwer.org/agriculture.html

Listening Session with Under Secretary Bill Northey, Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services , United States Department of Agriculture

Up to ten stakeholders (public & private) will each get up to 3 min to make a statement or recommendation. Followed by remarks by Under Secretary Northey

Round-table Discussion with state Directors and provincial Ministers of Agriculture and private sector leaders from across the region

Topics of discussion will include:
Trade and NAFTA impacts on the agriculture sector and recommendations for modernization
The impact of tariffs
Regulatory Cooperation Issues
Finding opportunities to collaborate on crop research

Featuring:
Hon. Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan
Hon. Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, British Columbia
Celia Gould, Director, Idaho Department of Agriculture
Ben Thomas, Director, Montana Department of Agriculture
Derek Sandison, Director, Washington Department of Agriculture

Speakers

Larry Doke

MLA, Working Group Co-Chair, Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly

Larry Doke was first elected to the Saskatchewan legislature in the 2011 provincial election and re-elected in April of 2016. MLA Doke is the PNWER Vice-President. Before moving to Metinota, Larry was the owner/operator of Fairview Dodge in North Battleford. He was involved in the... Read More →

Celia Gould

Director, Idaho Department of Agriculture

Celia Gould was appointed Director of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and assumed her post on January 2, 2007.Celia is an owner/operator of a fourth-generation farming and ranching operation, G+ Ranches, where she and her family raise Black... Read More →

Patrick Kole

Working Group Co-Chair, Vice President Legal & Government Affairs, Idaho Potato Commission

Patrick Kole is the Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs for the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC). Mr. Kole has practiced law for the past thirty-nine years. He has specialized for the last twenty-four with IPC, where he focused, in part, on market access issues, including developing... Read More →

Under Secretary Bill Northey

United States Department of Agriculture

William Howard Northey currently serves as the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation in the United States Department of Agriculture since 2018. Northey was nominated to the Under Secretary position by President Donald Trump in September 2017. After a hold by Senator... Read More →

Honourable Lana Popham

Minister of Agriculture, Government of British Columbia

Lana Popham was first elected MLA for Saanich South in 2009, since then she has been relected twice and is currently serving as British Columbia’s Minister for Agriculture. Lana grew up on Quadra Island where growing food, raising animals and harvesting from the sea was a way of... Read More →

Derek Sandison

Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture

Derek Sandison was appointed director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture by Gov. Jay Inslee effective June 15, 2015.As WSDA director, Derek oversees an agency responsible for animal health, plant inspections, food safety, fruit and grain inspection and certification... Read More →

Ben Thomas

Director, Montana Department of Agriculture

Prior to joining the department, Ben served as the Deputy Under Secretary for the Marketing and Regulatory Programs Mission Area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture where he helped oversee the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the... Read More →

Monday July 23, 2018 2:30pm - 4:45pm AKDT
Meeting Room 1

AGRICULTURE TRACK, Border

9:15am AKDT

Cross-Border Livestock Health: Session I

Opening Remarks: PNWER: Working For YOU-CBLHC successes and new opportunities (9:15-9:30am)

Welcome
Conference objectives
Priority Action Items
Presented by
- Co-Chairs
  - Dr. Amber Itle, Assistant State Veterinarian, Washington
  - Jill Harvie, Programs Manager, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
- PNWER
  - Brandon Hardenbrook, Deputy Director

AM Panel Session I: Livestock Across the Border
Panel Moderator: Dr. Amber Itle
Livestock border crossings, port procedures, and industry issues - regulator perspectives(9:30-10:45):

Regulator’s “day in the life” at the ports
- US (including virtual tour)
- Canada
Facilities/staff & livestock handling
Challenges, issues, & proposed solutions
Speakers
- Dr. Renee Oleck, National Animal Import Center & Port Services Director, USDA APHIS
- Dr. Paul Kohrs, Sumas Port, USDA APHIS
- Dr. Mohit Baxi, Director, Animal Import/Export, CFIA

AM Panel Session II: Towards More Seamless Border Crossings
Moderator: Jill Harvie
Electronic Certification & Traceability (11:00-12:30)

E-certification & Traceability (US)
US Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS)
Electronic certification update- Canada
CAN livestock traceability (industry view)
Animal Disease Traceability integration with electronic certification (US & CAN)
Speakers
- Dr. Renee Oleck or Dr. John Clifford, USDA APHIS
- Dr. Sunny Geiser-Novotny, ADT Vet, USDA APHIS, Veterinary Services
- Dr. Mohit Baxi, CFIA
- Anne Brunet Burgess, Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

Speakers

Dr. Mohit Baxi

Director of Animal Import and Export, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Dr. Mohit Baxi is a veterinarian and a PhD scientist with several years of post-doctoral training. He obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge, England and later worked as a Scientist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan... Read More →

Anne Brunet Burgess

General Manager, Canadian Cattle Identification Agency

After earning her degree in farm management and animal science from McGill University’s Macdonald Campus, Anne has found great success in the livestock industry, working as the Beef Program Coordinator for Eastern Breeders from 1991 to 1995, the Western Sales Manager for Semex Alliance... Read More →

Dr. John Clifford

Chief Trade Advisor, Veterinary National Import and Export Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Dr. Clifford provides leadership by ensuring continued international trade opportunities as the Chief Trade Advisor of Veterinary Services’ National Import Export Services. Dr. Clifford has a unique combination of field and headquarters experience, combining policy development... Read More →

Dr. Sunny Geiser-Novotny

ADT Vet, USDA APHIS, Veterinary Services

Dr. Sunny Geiser-Novotny is currently an Animal Disease Traceability Staff Veterinarian with the USDA APHIS VS Surveillance Preparedness & Response Services, National Animal Disease Traceability & Veterinary Accreditation Center. She received her veterinary medical degree from the... Read More →

Jill Harvie

Programs Manager; Working Group Co-chair, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

As Programs Manager, Jill works closely with the CCA Executive to identify policy gaps and suggests lobbying as well as communication strategies while delivering project management solutions to members and the committee. Jill also represents Canada as staff dedicated to the Young... Read More →

Dr Amber Itle

Asst. State Veterinarian, WA Department of Agriculture

Amber Itle grew up on her family's fourth generation producer-handler dairy farm in Pennsylvania. Dr. Itle earned her VMD from UPENN in 2003 and a MS in Animal Welfare from the University of British Columbia in 2014. She joined a large and food animal practice for a decade prior... Read More →

Dr. Paul Kohrs

Sumas Port, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Dr. Renee Oleck

National Animal Import Center & Port Services Director, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Anne Brunet Burgess , Canadian Cattle Identification Agency Presentation pdf

Dr. Mohit Baxi , Canadian Food Inspection Agency Presentation pdf

Dr. Renee Oleck , USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Presentation pdf

Dr. Paul Kohrs , USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Presentation Without Videos pdf

Tuesday July 24, 2018 9:15am - 12:30pm AKDT
Meeting Room 1

AGRICULTURE TRACK

2:15pm AKDT

Cross-Border Livestock Health: Session II

PM Panel Session I: Industry Perspectives on Border Issues
Moderator: Jill Harvie
Industry perspectives / regulator responses- border crossings, port procedures, & issues

Current border challenges & solutions
Comments by US-CAN livestock sellers, buyers, transporters
Streamlining multi-load shipments
Livestock priority clearance
Emergency holding & handling facilities at/near border crossing ports
Electronic logging hauler rules
Sealed Transit routes (eg sub-Great Lakes)
Speakers
- Jack Field, Executive Director, Washington Cattle Feeders’ Association
- Dennis Laycraft, Executive Vice President, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
- Dr. Jessica Watson, Manager, Anim Health Policy, National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc
- Joe Jackson, Vice Chair, Sask Cattlemen's Assoc/CAN-US beef cattle sales agent
- Dave Brown, LLC dairy cattle dealer-exporter, Double B Farms, WA
Michael Hall, CAN Livestock Genetics

PM Panel Session II: Animal Disease Respects NO Borders with moderator Dr. Amber Itle
Diseases of PNW concern- updates & issues

Current border challenges & solutions
Comments by US-CAN livestock sellers, buyers, transporters
Streamlining multi-load shipments
Livestock priority clearance
Emergency holding & handling facilities at/near border crossing ports
Electronic logging hauler rules
Sealed Transit routes (eg sub-Great Lakes)
Speakers
- Dr. Kristin Mansfield, State Wildlife Veterinarian, WA Dept Fish & Wildlife
- Dr. John Clifford, USDA
- Drs. Mohit Baxi/Noel Ritson-Bennett, Veterinary Program Specialist, CFIA
- Dr. Noel Ritson-Bennett, TB 2016 Operations Section Chief, CFIA
- Dr. Brian Joseph, State Veterinarian, WA
- Dr. Gary Brickler, Director (D6), Veterinary Services, USDA APHIS
- Dr. Aimee Hunt, Epidemiology, District 6 (WA, OR, AK) USDA APHIS VS
- Dr. Keith Lehman, Chief Provincial Veterinarian, Alberta
- Dr. Jessica Watson, NCBA
- Dr. Jette Christensen, Manager, Canada-West Swine Health Intelligence Network

Speakers

Dr. Mohit Baxi

Director of Animal Import and Export, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Dr. Gary Brickler

Director (D 6), Veterinary Services, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Gary Brickler, a native of southern Indiana, is currently the Director for District 6 of USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. The District is comprised of the 10 Western states and Pacific Territories.He received a B.S. from the University of Kentucky and a D.V.M. from Purdue University.Following... Read More →

Dave Brown

LLC Dairy Cattle Dealer-Exporter, Double B Farms, WA

Dr. Jette Christensen

Manager, Canada-West Swine Health Intelligence Network

Dr. Christensen is a veterinary epidemiologist with more than 30 years’ experience in all phases of national animal health monitoring, surveillance and disease control programs in Denmark and Canada. She brings with her extensive skills in swine practice and epidemiological surveillance... Read More →

Dr. John Clifford

Chief Trade Advisor, Veterinary National Import and Export Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Jack Field

Executive Director, Washington Cattle Feeders’ Association

Jack is a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Washington Cattlemen’s Association and is the Executive Director of the Washington Cattle Feeders Association (WCFA). Jack previously was employed as the Executive Vice President of the Washington Cattlemen’s... Read More →

Michael Hall

Executive Director, CAN Livestock Genetics

Michael has served on various dairy industry boards, and maintains an intimate knowledge of the Canadian dairy industry and its members’ needs. As both a board member and Board Chairman of the Ontario DHI Board of Directors (1998-2004) and CanWest DHI (2004-2010), Michael negotiated... Read More →

Jill Harvie

Programs Manager; Working Group Co-chair, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

Dr. Aimee Hunt

Epidemiology Officer, District 6 (WA, OR, AK), USDA APHIS- Veterinary Services

Dr. Hunt has over a decade of academic and professional commitment to livestock health throughout North America. As a student gaining a BS and DVM in Animal Sciences from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, she worked as a Livestock Volunteer for Heifer... Read More →

Dr Amber Itle

Asst. State Veterinarian, WA Department of Agriculture

Joe Jackson

Director, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association

From his earliest days in Oklahoma, Joe has been involved in the cattle industry. With an Animal Science degree from Oklahoma State, Joe began his career as a delivery agent at the OKC Stockyards delivering feeder cattle against the CME Feeder Cattle contract. Joe then spent 12 years... Read More →

Dr. Brian Joseph

State Veterinarian, Washington State Department of Agriculture

Dr. Brian Joseph joined WSDA as state veterinarian in December 2016. He is responsible for animal and livestock health, disease prevention and containment, livestock identification, compliance with animal health and livestock identification regulations and animal disease traceability... Read More →

Dennis Laycraft

Executive Vice President, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

Leading the CCA and its various divisions, Dennis serves as a spokesperson for the beef cattle industry on trade, product safety, and animal disease issues. A senior policy analyst and lobbyist for the CCA, Dennis addresses issues at the national and international levels which impact... Read More →

Dr. Keith Lehman

Chief Provincial Veterinarian, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

The Office of Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV) provides scientific and veterinary leadership in developing animal health policy and in working to prevent and respond to animal health concerns.Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian is Dr. Keith Lehman, who has been... Read More →

Dr. Kristin Mansfield

State Wildlife Veterinarian, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Kristin Mansfield has been employed as the state wildlife veterinarian with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife since 2002, stationed in Spokane. She received her Doctorate and Masters degrees from the University of California at Davis, bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly... Read More →

Dr. Noel Ritson-Bennett

Veterinary Program Specialist, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Dr. Gary Brickler , USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Presentation pdf

Dennis Laycraft , Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Presentation pdf

Dr. Jette Christensen , Canada West Swine Health Intelligence Network Presentation pdf

Dr. Kristin Mansfield , Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Presentation pdf

Tuesday July 24, 2018 2:15pm - 5:30pm AKDT
Meeting Room 1

AGRICULTURE TRACK

9:15am AKDT

Cross-Border Livestock Health: Session III

AM Panel Session I: Agri-Food Sector Resilience Planning Moderator: Dr. Amber Itle (Panel 9:15-10:45)
Livestock Sector Security (food, bio, cyber, other), EM Preparedness, & Risk Readiness

Agro-terrorism reality check
Integrated critical infrastructure planning
CAN- Plant & Animal Health Strategy, Livestock Market Interruption Strategy
Emerging Animal Disease Preparedness & Response Plan (USDA APHIS VS),
Food Security & Public Health
Industry & other government pro-action
Speakers
- Dione Mazzolini, Assist. WMD Coordinator, Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Dr. John Clifford, USDA APHIS
- Dr. Bill Barton, State Veterinarian, ID or Dr. Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle*, Associate Director, Center Food Safety/Public Health
- Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, Associate Director, Center Food Safety/Public Health
- Dr. Mohit Baxi, CFIA
- Dr. Aimee Hunt/Gary Brickler, USDA APHIS
- John Ross, Co-chair, LMIS & Executive Director, CAN Pork Council
- Matt Taylor, CAN Animal Health Coalition

AM Session II: NAFTA UPDATES for Livestock Industry with Moderator: Jill Harvie (11:00-12:00)

NAFTA process summary & key updates
Livestock trade implications & sector impacts- beef, dairy, swine, other
Regulatory Cooperation Council Update
Speakers
- Dr. John Clifford, USDA APHIS
- Dennis Laycraft, Exec Vice Pres, CCA
- Gary Stordy, Director, Government & Corporate Affairs, CAN Pork Council
- Robert Carberry, Founder, Carberry Insights and Associates Inc
- Kent Backus (via video/phone), NCBA

Speakers

Kent Bacus

Director of International Trade and Market Access, National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Bill Barton

State Veterinarian, Idaho State Department of Agriculture

Dr. Bill Barton serves as the administrator of the Division of Animal Industries and state veterinarian for the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). Bill was raised on his family’s cattle ranch, the Diamond A, in the Three Creek area of southern Idaho and northern Nevada... Read More →

Dr. Mohit Baxi

Director of Animal Import and Export, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Dr. Danelle Bickett-Widdle

Associate Director, Center for Food Security and Public Health, Iowa State University

Dr. Bickett-Weddle is a South Dakota native who earned her BS from South Dakota State University, her DVM from Iowa State University in 1999, her Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Iowa in 2003, obtained Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Preventive... Read More →

Dr. Gary Brickler

Director (D 6), Veterinary Services, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Robert Carberry

Founder, Carberry Insights and Associates Inc.

Bob has a uniquely broad experience in all aspects of regulatory matters, having advanced his way through Government of Canada regulatory agencies from a technician level to senior management. Over his 37 year he worked in laboratories, field inspection offices, district and regional... Read More →

Dr. John Clifford

Chief Trade Advisor, Veterinary National Import and Export Services, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Jill Harvie

Programs Manager; Working Group Co-chair, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

Dr. Aimee Hunt

Epidemiology Officer, District 6 (WA, OR, AK), USDA APHIS- Veterinary Services

Dr Amber Itle

Asst. State Veterinarian, WA Department of Agriculture

Dennis Laycraft

Executive Vice President, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association

Dione Mazzolini

Assistant Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Seattle Division

Dione Mazzolini is an Assistant Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator (AWMDC) and Hazardous Evidence Response Team Lead for the FBI’s Seattle Division. Ms. Mazzolini began her career in 2002 in the FBI Laboratory’s Forensic Response Section then transferred to Seattle, WA... Read More →

John Ross

Co-chair, LMIS & Executive Director, Canadian Pork Council

John Ross has more than 30 years of commitment to the Canadian Livestock industry. After earning a degree in Animal Science and Agriculture from the University of Guelph, he has ben intimately involved in the implementation of genetic improvement programs, the creation of the domestic... Read More →