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agriculture | farmers | food

Asean FTA: Time to introspect on domestic oilseed cultivation
28-Nov-2007 Hindu Business Line
In the absence of a clear strategy to put our own house in order, the India-ASEAN FTA negotiations appear to be farcical. Negotiations are conducted between equals and in a level playing field. But here is a situation where everyone knows India is vulnerable.
Ivorian banana growers push for new EU trade deal
24-Nov-2007
Ivory Coast’s banana and pineapple farmers are urging the government to sign a new trade deal with the European Union so they can compete once tariff free access to its market ends next month, officials said.
A basket to carry water
23-Nov-2007
The grey clouds of attrition are gathering over concluding negotiations with the European Union, which has suddenly adopted a determined mercantilist attitude at this late date. The negotiations with Cariforum (CF) are now foundering in a sea of uncertainty, reminiscent of the opening stanza of the famous Trinidadian calypso "Captain, this ship is sinking.".
`Body blow to Kerala farmers`
23-Nov-2007
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remark that India will show the necessary flexibility on talks for the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) is worrying farmers in Kerala.
Govt warned on EPAs
22-Nov-2007
A group of civil society representatives in Uganda have warned the government against signing an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union arguing that it will stifle the growth of local industries and frustrate the effort of local farmers.
What a vote for free trade means for the U.S.
22-Nov-2007
In the 2006 elections, aspiring Democrats attacked the Bush administration’s free trade policies, and more than 20 new members of Congress were elected, giving the Democratic Party its new majority in the House of Representatives. Yet, nearly two weeks ago, Democratic Party leaders urged those same members of Congress to vote for a new free trade agreement with Peru.
Talks on to clinch FTA
22-Nov-2007
India is willing to grant concessions on tariffs for the four agricultural commodities that proved to be a hurdle in finalising the India Asean free trade agreement but made it clear that it expected other countries to match its steps to wrap up the deal.
Manmohan softens stance on FTA
22-Nov-2007
In a small but significant step forward, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the 10-member Asean would be wrapped up by March next year and that India would show “necessary flexibility” to achieve this goal.
Beef market opens wider to Philippines
20-Nov-2007 Farm Futures
Recent bilateral negotiations have led to an agreement giving US beef complete access to the Philippine market.
South Korea aims to retain agriculture tariffs at EU FTA talks
16-Nov-2007 Asia Pulse
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said that rice will be exempted from free trade agreement talks altogether, while Seoul will stress the need to hold onto some protection for grain, vegetables and fruits.
Senators urged to hear out peasants on JPEPA
9-Nov-2007 Inquirer
The greatest benefit from any increased banana and pineapple exports resulting from JPEPA will go to the big foreign agribusiness TNCs like Dole and Del Monte, not to Filipino workers and farmers as a whole, militant groups say.
As Senate resumes public hearings, new anti-JPEPA group slams effects on agriculture
8-Nov-2007
Members of No Deal! JPEPA, Movement Against Unequal Economic Agreements, slammed the effects on agriculture of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Colombia: A significant market for US red meat upon FTA ratification
5-Nov-2007 Cattle Network
The US Meat Export Federation estimates that around 50 percent of pork production in Colombia comes from family-owned farms
Landlessness, environmental healh hazards to increase with JPEPA
5-Nov-2007 Mindanews
The militant peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Southern Mindanao Region and No Deal! Movement against Unequal Economic Agreements are spearheading today a protest rally against Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) in Davao City as the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to submit its report on JPEPA in the plenary.
US pork dependent on new trade agreements
2-Nov-2007 NPPC
The future of the US pork industry depends on concluding new trade agreements, the National Pork Producers Council today told congressional lawmakers.
Mexico stands up to FTA
31-Oct-2007 Prensa Latina
About 40 Mexican rural organizations agreed Wednesday to create a unitary front against the North America Free Trade Agreement. As part of the peaceful resistance plan, farmers will camp on the central square of Zocalo starting Monday to defend the rights of four million Mexican agricultural producers.
Farmers deserve a fair hearing
30-Oct-2007 East African
We should not be surprised at the Kenyan state’s almost complete lack of understanding of the concerns raised in a suit filed last week by the Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum, with the support of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, to block any trade agreement between Kenya and the EU.
Protecting Korean farmers key goal of FTA talks with China
29-Oct-2007 KOIS
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said Seoul stressed the need to reflect the concerns of local farmers in any future free trade agreement (FTA) with China at preliminary discussions held in Weihai last week.
Kenya: Manufacturers join trade case
28-Oct-2007 AllAfrica.com
The stage is set for a battle pitting small-scale farmers against manufacturers and exporters of fresh produce. On Friday, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Kenya Fresh Produce Exporters Association applied and were included in the case as interested parties to support the Government against the farmers and the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
Caribbean nations grapple with biofuel issues
28-Oct-2007 USA Today
In the United States, experts debate whether biofuel growth in the tropics will cut into profits for Midwest producers. Special free-trade agreements with those countries can make it less expensive to ship ethanol from there to the US coasts.