Mr. Speaker, this morning I had the opportunity and the privilege of meeting with the Association of Central American Farmers Organizations for Co-Operation and Development.
This is an umbrella organization that seeks to promote the interests of small and medium sized farmers in Central America at regional and international levels. It has been on a tour of Canada to meet with Canadian farm leaders and policy makers and to promote a vision for the sustainable development of Central America.
I congratulate ASOCODE for its efforts. As it suggested, we must go beyond a bureaucratic level in a relationship with Central and Latin America. We must continue to further the efforts of the government in working at a political level and should expand to working with populist groups as well.
I found working with such groups extremely enlightening in developing understanding. I encourage all parliamentarians to focus some attention on the needs of Central America and what we have in common.