bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

agriculture | farmers | food


September 10 | International day against WTO and free trade agreements
In memory of farmer Lee and the continuing struggles of peasants in resisting the neo-liberal agenda of WTO, La Via Campesina marks September 10 as the International Day Against WTO and Free Trade Agreements.
US-China talk about beef
Following a 2003 ban on US beef due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, China has allowed boneless US beef from cattle under 30 months back in since last June.
US-UK FTA could ’destroy large parts of British farming’, report warns
A new study has highlighted major concerns surrounding a potential UK and US free trade deal, saying it could "destroy large parts of British farming".
NAFTA 2.0, junk food labeling and public health
NAFTA 2.0 could effectively prevent all three governments from adopting some of the most effective public health policies to reduce obesity and prevent related health conditions.
EU/New Zealand free trade agreement must meet meat sector concerns, say experts
With a new European Union EU/New Zealand customs agreement coming into force, EU farm body Copa-Cogeca has warned that anticipated follow-up trade talks should not boost NZ access to EU meat markets.
Swiss farmers dig in against South American trade deal
The Swiss Farmers’ Union, on the other hand, has made its position very clear: it is against a free-trade deal.
EU, Mercosur end trade round with little progress, more blaming - Beef volumes ’agreed’
The European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur have made some progress on how to open their markets to cars, but ended free trade talks in Brussels with finger-pointing about who was holding up a deal.
Mexico wins ‘cheese war’ over Europe in trade deal
Europe did not gain exclusive rights for Spain’s La Mancha farmers to use Manchego, which has protected geographical status in the EU.
Scots call for halt to EU’s Mercosur trade talks
Scottish farm leaders have urged the European Commission to postpone its “reckless” trade negotiations with the Mercosur block of South American countries because of fears over the damage it could inflict on the beef sector.
EU trade pact must offer fair deal for farmers, says Turnbull
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is setting his sights on a big win for Australian farmers in a far-reaching trade deal with the European Union, insisting that fair access for rural produce is vital to expanding the $99.5 billion trade relationship.
The whole of Mercosur in exchange for a plate of beef
Mercosur’s sovereignty is at stake, as are the ecosystems and communities that will be affected by a further boost to the destructive livestock and feedstock industries in South America.
Trade war with China could stunt Texas agriculture, economy
he prospect of a trade war with China may seem far off, but US proposals to steeply raise tariffs on its goods, along with the Chinese response, could hit Texans close to home.
Setting course for sustainable trade – a new trade agenda that serves people and the environment
We urgently need a new trade regime which can help address global challenges and tackle problems like accelerating climate change, a broken agricultural model and loss of trust in democratic processes.
KORUS FTA causes major losses to Korean red meat, soybean industry
South Korea’s agriculture, livestock, and seafood industries suffered around one trillion won (about $1 billion) in production losses in the five years after the South Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) took effect, a report shows.
New law and trade agreement will diminish farmers’ control over seeds
An amendment recently introduced in Thai parliaments will take seeds out of the hands of women, farmers and indigenous peoples who have kept seeds, shared seeds and developed a wealth of local knowledge on plant varieties— and put them instead in the hands of large corporations.
International day of peasants’ struggles 2018: La Via Campesina calls for the coordination of decentralised, united action!
For land and for life! Enough free trade agreements, enough impunity!
US-Bahrain food export agreement signed
Bahrain has agreed to continue to recognize US safety certifications for American food and agriculture exports to the Gulf nation.
Trade Minister plans to retaliate to EU ban on CPO
Trade Minister asked for permission to retaliate to countries barring the use of Indonesian crude palm oil.
Could India be the Trump administration’s first FTA?
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney has been to India twice, each time highlighting the opportunities to improve the trading relationship between the two countries.
US Fruit exports to South Korea surged 140% since FTA effectutation
A new report finds that US fruit exports to South Korea surged 140 percent since the 2012 effectuation of the two nations’ bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).