07/19/07 Cattleman visits Mexico

Washington Ag July 19, 2007 Immediate past president of the Washington Cattlemen's Association, Pete Guglielmino, was part of that delegation Governor Chris Gregoire led to Mexico last week. The Retail Marketing Manager for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Gustavo Castano, prepared an agenda for the delegation which included a briefing on USMEF marketing activities in Mexico and visits to retailers, restaurants and markets. Mr. Guglielmino told Castano he was favorably impressed with the type of activities USMEF is developing in Mexico and said they are interested in implementing a Washington Beef Promotion in Mexico in 2008. The Washington Farm Bureau holds its summer conference tomorrow in Tukwila with meeting activities taking place at Qwest Field. The Farm Bureau's Gary Joiner says biofuels is one topic getting attention at the meeting and so is international trade. Joiner: "We will be focusing in particular on the Canadian-United States trade issues "Facts, Figures and Myths." We have a gentleman from the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C., Fred Gerrell, joining us. He will be giving us insight into that relationship." Washington Farm Bureau Director of National Affairs Patrick Connor will discuss the American Farm Bureau's educational program "Trade Matters." I'm Bob Hoff.