American trade policy should strengthen, not weaken, the health, environment, food sovereignty, working conditions, labor rights, and transparent, competitive market principles of this country and all countries.

WORC' s Trade Bill of Rights outlines basic fair trade principles, including

• The right of countries to preserve family farms and promote global food security.
• Strong labor, environmental and public health standards.
• Fair and democratic negotiations processes that allow for public input by the very people affected by the agreements.

Representatives of consumer groups and livestock producer organizations from Canada, Mexico, and the United States met February 12-13, 2009 to address the challenges faced by family farmers and ranchers from trade policy and uncompetitive livestock markets.They called on leaders to renegotiate NAFTA for agriculture.

Background

The U.S., Mexico, and Canada entered into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on January 1, 1994. NAFTA ended tariffs and other barriers to trade and investment over 15 years.

Archives

• Central American Free Trade Agreement
• Australia Free Trade Agreement
• Oman Free Trade Agreement
• Free Trade Area of the Americas
• Peru Free Trade Agreement

Resources

Report by Public Citizens says pending trade agreements will worsen imported food safety program by increasing food imports while replicating limits on U.S. food safety policy from past trade deals.

WORC's Trade Tool Kit provides resources to assist you in sharing the message of fair trade.

Investor to State fact sheet describes how current trade policy lets foreign companies sue local, state and national governments over laws protecting the human health and safety.

Rethinking US Agricultural Policy: Changing Course to Secure Farmer Livelihoods Worldwide, by Daryll E. Ray, Daniel G. De La Torre Ugarte and Kelly J. Tiller, is a thought-provoking look at the implications of U.S. agricultural policy on farmers and international trade.

Links

Coalition for a Prosperous America - CPA is working for a new and positive U.S. trade policy that delivers prosperity and security to America, its citizens, farms, factories and working people.

Economic Policy Institute - The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy.

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy - IATP promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.

National Catholic Rural Life Conference - Agriculture and rural communities face global challenges as powerful transnational forces shape the production and distribution of food. This website provides information on agribusiness accountability and trade negotiations in the light of Gospel teachings and social justice.

National Family Farm Coalition - NFFC currently has four task forces operating: Commodities, Credit, Livestock and Trade. These units make policy recommendations, plan strategy, and carry out actions to meet program goals. While policy recommendations are subject to review by the NFFC full board, campaign strategy, action planning, and organizing on approved issues is deferred entirely to the task forces.

National Farmers Union - NFU supports fair trade that addresses labor, environmental and currency standards for agriculture. NFU works to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and their rural communities.

Presbyterian Church USA "Just Trade" - This web site can help you further educate yourselves and your congregations about the need to be informed and engaged on these issues. Together we can act with faith in God's order to create positive alternatives and stop policies that harm people.

Public Citizen Global Trade Watch - GTW promotes democracy by challenging corporate globalization, arguing that the current globalization model is neither a random inevitability nor “free trade.”

R-CALF USA - R-CALF USA's mission is to represent the U.S. cattle industry in trade and marketing issues to ensure the continued profitability and viability of independent U.S. cattle producers.

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative - USTR is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and leading or directing negotiations with other countries. Robert Zoelick is the current USTR.

Citizens Trade Campaign - CTC is a national coalition of environmental, labor, consumer, family farm, religious, and other civil society groups founded in 1992 during the fight over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).