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agriculture | farmers | food

RP seeks slower tariff reduction for rice under Afta
14-Sep-2009
The Philippines is now negotiating for a slower reduction in tariffs for rice traded under a free-trade scheme among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
Thai-Chinese FTA faces ongoing problems
13-Sep-2009
A potential market of 1.3 billion people is a very attractive proposition for any government or company, and that was the main reason why six years ago the Thai government tried every means possible to expedite a trade deal with China.
Namibia in EU grape deadlock
12-Sep-2009
The Namibian government has refused to sign its Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU, leaving grape exporters facing a serious loss of trade preferences or a considerable increase in costs.
The great swine cover-up
11-Sep-2009 CIP Americas Program
Mexico has been considered the laboratory of globalization since it initiated the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. In April of 2009 a deadly virus germinated in that laboratory, finding ideal conditions to move quickly into a global pandemic.
CPI(M) concerned over ASEAN FTA
7-Sep-2009
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday expressed concern at the free trade agreement with the ASEAN countries and termed as “intriguing” the move by India to break the so-called deadlock in the World Trade Organisation’s talks.
Africa: Industry sees red over red line
19-Aug-2009 The Namibian
Various participants in a talk in Namibia on the economic partnership agreement with the European Union yesterday saw red when Finance Permanent Secretary Calle Schlettwein dared suggesting that the veterinary fence in the North be gradually moved further North to offer those farmers the same market access as those south of the fence.
Panama lifts beef ban ahead of Canada FTA
18-Aug-2009 Grainews.ca
Panama has lifted its six-year-old BSE-related ban on Canadian beef as it concludes talks on a new free trade agreement with Canada that will improve access for other ag commodities.
Project helps Guatemalans learn about international trade, agricultural marketing
17-Aug-2009
Through its Food for Progress efforts, the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture is helping farmers, agribusiness people and others in Guatemala make the most of producing, marketing and exporting a variety of agricultural products, said a project coordinator.
Farmer’s body slams signing of FTA with ASEAN
15-Aug-2009 Rediff
The All India Kisan Sabha has issued a statement criticising the centre for signing a Free Trade Agreement with the ASEAN nations.
India-ASEAN pact detrimental to farmers, claims Achuthanandan
14-Aug-2009 IANS
Hours after the free trade agreement was signed with the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations in Bangkok, Kerala’s Chief Minister told reporters that it would lead farmers in the state to commit suicide.
Following criticism, DPJ revises platform
14-Aug-2009 Japan Times
DPJ seeks to promote liberalization of trade and investment by promoting negotiations on an FTA with the United States — not by concluding the accord as was originally proposed. In so doing, the platform says, the party would ensure that food safety, the promotion of the domestic farm industry and boosting food self-sufficiency would not be compromised.
US trade deals open markets – GAO
13-Aug-2009 Feedstuffs
The US Government Accountability Office says bilateral free trade agreements signed by the United States work: they deliver new market opportunities for America’s agriculture sector.
Regardless of DPJ aspirations, FTA with US would be tall order
12-Aug-2009 Japan Times
The media have lashed out at the Democratic Party of Japan over its apparent backpedaling on wanting a free-trade agreement between Japan and the United States.
Kerala fights clock in ASEAN free-trade deal
11-Aug-2009 Asia Times
"If this FTA goes through, pepper may cease to be produced in Kerala, the land where it originated," says Thomas Verghese, a distinguished agricultural scientist and chairman of the Kerala State Prices Board
Asean FTA gives coffee growers sleepless nights
10-Aug-2009 DNAIndia
Leaders from Kerala have vociferously opposed the Asean free trade agreement that could impact its farmers in future. The same cannot be said about many coffee growers who have little political muscle. Karnataka produces 70% of coffee in India.
Apparently facing farmers’ ire, DPJ backpedals on US FTA
7-Aug-2009 Japan Times
The Democratic Party of Japan plans to revise its proposal for a free-trade agreement with the United States, apparently due to concern over a potential backlash from farmers, top DPJ official Naoto Kan said.
India to protect farmers in goods agreement with ASEAN: PM
4-Aug-2009 Xinhua
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ensured that the India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement would protect the interests of Indian farmers by yielding no tariff concession to ASEAN countries, said a senior Indian government official on Monday.
FTA with ASEAN will affect farm sector: Kisan Sabha
31-Jul-2009 Indopia
Maintaining that the agriculture sector would be hit hard if the country implemented the Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN, All India Kisan Sabha today urged the Opposition Congress in Kerala to oppose the proposed treaty in the interest of state farmers.
Study: Free trade spreading obesity
28-Jul-2009 UPI
An influx of US junk food into Central America as part of relaxed trade rules has led to Central American obesity and related illnesses, a study said Monday.
Nicaragua’s Peasant Movement achieves milestone on the road towards Food Sovereignty
21-Jul-2009 Grassroots International
tThe new law establishes a legal framework to regulate the participation of transnational companies and help local organizations and governments to restore local food culture and peasant agriculture despite the CAFTA-DR "free" trade agreement