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agriculture | farmers | food


Korea-Chile FTA marks third anniversary
Korea’s first free trade agreement with Chile, right on the other side of the globe, went into effect on April 1, 2004, bringing significant changes. We enjoy good, cheap Chilean wine and samgyeopsal (fresh bacon), while in Chile, Korean-made mobile phones are a big hit. But our trade deficit increased due to greater raw material imports and over 13,000 Korean farmers sustained harm. So what have been the most significant effects?
S. Korea will not automatically accept OIE ruling on US beef: minister
South Korea is not obliged to automatically accept a planned ruling by a world animal health body that may make it easier for the United States to export beef, a senior policymaker said Wednesday.
US trade rep pushes for removal of beef ban, auto tariff
Pressure is mounting on South Korea to open several of its markets to the US as free trade negotiations between the two nations are nearing an end.
EU: APEB wants boycott of banana imports in FTA talks with Latin America
The association of European banana producers APEB has announced that it will request the EU to leave any discussion of the banana import tariff out of the negotiations on economic collaboration or free trade agreements with the Andean countries in South America and with the countries in Central America.
US auto industry, agriculture lobby face off over Korea FTA
More than a dozen farm groups are lobbying the US administration in Korea this week to ensure it only concludes a deal that significantly increases US agriculture exports. But agriculture’s interests are somewhat complicated by those of the auto industry, which has warned it could oppose the deal unless it ensures that US exports to Korea will increase. Still, some sources say that support from agriculture could trump opposition from the auto industry if a deal is reached.
S. Korea, US remain divided in FTA agriculture talks
Agriculture free trade talks between South Korea and the United States remained in a stalemate on Monday as neither side made any concessions on critical issues, South Korean negotiators said.
Key sticking points in talks for South Korea-US free trade deal
Chief trade negotiators from South Korea and the United States are set to meet in Washington on March 19-21 to settle their differences over sensitive issues as they are eager to conclude a free trade deal by the end of this month.
Goff pushes Mexican trade deal
Trade Minister Phil Goff leaves for Mexico this morning to push for a trade deal that could boost exports to New Zealand’s fourth largest market dairy market.
Agriculture sticking point in Japan, Australia free trade deal
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has come under increasing pressure from Japan’s farming sector not to sign a free trade deal involving agriculture with Australia.
Agriculture minister expresses opposition to US bone-in beef imports
In talks with a farmers’ group in Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, Park Hong-soo said beef must not be sacrificed for the sake of a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States.
Mexico, US presidents promise to extend free trade
Presidents Felipe Calderon of Mexico and George W Bush of the United States held a series of meetings on Wednesday, promising to extend the free trade agreement between the two nations.
S Korea will not give up key farm goods at FTA talks with US: official
South Korea’s chief agriculture negotiator for free trade talks with the United States reiterated Wednesday that key agricultural goods must be excluded from a bilateral trade deal.
S Korea, US at odds over key agriculture issues at FTA talks: official
South Korea and the United States have not been able to close the gap on key issues at the latest free trade agreement (FTA) talks in Seoul, a government official said Tuesday.
Beef heading overseas
South Korea announced Thursday that it will lower its quarantine standards for US beef imports and resume imports of American beef that do not contain bone fragments.
US pears and apples first beneficiaries of the FTA US-Dominican Republic
The US export of 25 MT of pears and apples to the Dominican Republic was the first transaction following the application of the free trade agreement between both countries.
S. Korea, U.S. make no headway at agriculture FTA talks
South Korea and the United States made no headway in high-level talks to resolve outstanding agricultural issues that have been a sticking point in bilateral free trade negotiations, the government said Tuesday.
Cabinet to state its stand on M’sia-US FTA issue
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry would be presenting to the Cabinet this Wednesday the stand taken by all the respective ministries and agencies involved in the Malaysia-US Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
Out of the cage: FTA must promote fair, not free trade
I was travelling in the northern regions recently and casually asked Haji Manaf, a padi farmer and Umno stalwart in his late 50s, if he had heard of the Malaysia-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which is currently being negotiated. He said he had read about it in the Malay newspapers but really didn’t understand what it was all about.
Korea, US agree to exclude rice from FTA
South Korea and the United States have in principle agreed to exclude rice from their free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.
Gambia Social Forum condemns EU-EPA negotiations
The executive members of the Gambia Social Forum have condemned the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that is being negotiated between the European Union and ECOWAS member states. They say that these proposed free trade agreements would exacerbate the current agricultural crisis that farmers already face, increase poverty, and violate human rights.