Newark, De. and Washington D.C. – On Thursday, January 27, International Fresh Produce Association BB #:378962 Co-CEOs Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel met with Canadian Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, to discuss supply chain issues critical to the fresh produce trade.
Among the topics explored were the very recent enforcement of vaccine requirements for non-citizen transportation drivers entering each nation, U.S. International Trade Commission investigations on the fruit and vegetable trade, as well as phytosanitary concerns like the presence of potato wart in Prince Edward Island.
“Canada is a key trading partner for the U.S. industry as both an importer and export market for fresh fruits and vegetables,” said IFPA’s Stenzel. “IFPA is committed to global engagement with international bodies to promote free and fair trade, international harmonization of standards, and worldwide growth in fresh produce consumption.”
Burns added, “This was a great opportunity to explore areas of collaboration and cooperation to ensure the movement of produce flows smoothly so that shoppers continue to have year-round choice in the marketplace. Trade barriers don’t just disrupt supplies; they disrupt lives.”
For more information about this meeting or IFPA’s work advocating on behalf of the produce and floral industries, contact Siobhan May, director of communications and public relations at IFPA.
About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our member’s prosperity by conducting advocacy; connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. While IFPA is built on the legacy of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association, it is not just a combination. It is transformational. Recognizing the industry required an even more powerful and unified voice, the leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supersede their organizations, effective January 1, 2022.
Contact: Siobhan May, SMay@freshproduce.com +1 (302) 781-5855
