In September, Miles McEvoy, Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program, met with the Inter-American Commission for Organic Agriculture (ICOA) in Panama City, Panama. The ICOA consists of 18 members countries in Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela) and works toward harmonizing organic standards, strengthening control systems and supporting market development in Latin America. Many of the countries are interested in trade opportunities with the United States, equivalency arrangements and technical assistance as well. McEvoy’s appearance marks the first time the USDA has participated in ICOA.