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STATEMENT OF INTENT BETWEEN THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ON THE ONE SIDE AND THE NATIONAL SERVICE OF AGRO-ALIMENTARY HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY AND THE FEDERAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION FROM SANITARY RISKS OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES, ON THE OTHER SIDE FOR A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP ON FOOD SAFETY

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America (USFDA), on the one side, and the National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) and the Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) of the United Mexican States, on the other side, hereinafter referred to as the “Participants,”

Desiring to continue the beneficial collaborative work conducted under the terms of the Statement of Intent Between the Food and Drug Administration of the United States of America and the National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality and the Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks of the United Mexican States for Cooperation on the Produce Safety Partnerships for Fresh and Minimally Processed Produce, signed at Mexico City on July 24, 2014 (“2014 Statement of Intent;” also known as “Produce Safety Partnership”),

Intending to expand the type of human food products covered by the 2014 Statement of Intent beyond fresh produce and minimally processed produce covered under the respective regulatory framework of each Participant;

Recognizing each country’s respective efforts to create a modernized food safety regulatory framework;

Acknowledging that each Participant is a competent authority and has relevant expertise over some or all matters subject to this Statement of Intent; and

Recognizing the benefits of a collaborative partnership on food safety;

Have reached the following understandings:

Section 1

The Participants intend to continue a collaborative partnership on food safety, to develop and implement plans to enhance the safety of food for human consumption that is traded between the United States of America and the United Mexican States.

Section 2

The Participants intend to work collaboratively to use new and emerging technologies to strengthen the Participants’ respective technical and predictive capabilities, accelerate the implementation of preventive and surveillance measures, and enhance each Participant’s response to foodborne illness outbreaks. The Participants intend to jointly identify areas for collaborative work to better safeguard public health by preventing foodborne illness.

Section 3

The Participants intend to include the use of modern, smarter technology and science-based preventive practices and verification measures, based on the technological capabilities of each country. In their respective countries and within their respective regulatory competencies, as appropriate, the Participants aim to collaborate with relevant federal and state government agencies, as well as with non-governmental entities, including academia, consumer groups, and the private sector, to support the collaborative partnership described in this Statement of Intent.

Section 4

The Participants seek to gain a better understanding of the other country’s food safety system, which may allow the Participants to identify additional areas of mutual interest for collaboration.

This Statement of Intent replaces the 2014 Statement of Intent. This Statement of Intent is not intended to create binding obligations under international or other law. All activities contemplated under this Statement of Intent are subject to the availability of personnel, resources, and appropriated funds.

The Participants intend to commence collaboration under this Statement of Intent upon signature by all Participants. This Statement of Intent may be modified at any given time by mutual written decision of the Participants.  The modifications are intended to commence upon signature by all Participants. The Participants intend to give each other 90 days’ written notice if they intend to discontinue participation.

Signed in triplicate in the English and Spanish languages.

ON BEHALF OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  ---/s/---
Frank Yiannas
Deputy Commissioner, Food Policy and Response
Date: September 17, 2020
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland

ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL SERVICE OF AGRO ALIMENTARY HEALTH, SAFETY AND QUALITY OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
  ---/s/---
Francisco Javier Trujillo Arriaga 
Director in Chief, National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality
Date: Septiembre 29, 2020
Location: Ciudad de México

ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION FROM SANITARY RISKS OF THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES
  ---/s/---
José Alonso Novelo Baeza
Federal Commissioner, Federal Commission for Protection from Sanitary Risks
Date: Septiembre 28, 2020
Location: Ciudad de México