World Trade Organization

Testimony on the World Trade Organization Negotiations

Niel Ritchie, National Organizer for the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, testified before the U.S. Agriculture Policy Forum, held on June 7, 1999 in Saint Paul, MN., on domestic agriculture policy and the so-called Freedom to Farm legislation.

Administration to Bring Seven Trade Complaints to WTO

CongressDaily | April 30, 1999 | by Keith Koffler

The Continuing Threat from Trade Negotiations

This article was published in the Dollars and Sense, March/April, Number 222. Providing a brief history of GATT/WTO, the authors then go on to explain the relationship between agriculture and intellectual property rights (Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPS) and why the stalled Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) could be resurrected.

IATP's Comments to the U.S. Trade Representative Regarding the Upcoming WTO Ministerial

In preparation for the upcoming Third Ministerial Conference of the WTO, IATP addressed concerns in a comment sent to US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky. The comments cover the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) and intellectual property rights (TRIPS).

Food Security, Farmers and a Fair Place for the South

Proceedings of the Washington, DC Meeting on the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, September 30-October 4th, 1998. Sponsored by IATP, Solagral and the Foundation Charles Leopold Mayer pour le Progres de l'Homme. The purpose of this document is to provide continuing collective educational material and further the movement-building process.

Update on MAI Negotiations

April 30, 1998 | Mark Vallianatos, Friends of the Earth US Update on MAI Negotiations I. OECD Ministerial statement on the MAI II. update on future of negotiations ----------------------------------------------------- I. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT ON INVESTMENT (MAI)

World Trade Organization and Food Security-What is at Stake

In preparation for the next trade talks, this paper takes a close look at some of the most important key elements at stake for farmers, peasant organizations and civil society. The most prominent areas of direct impact for food security are the upcoming talks on plant patenting and on general agriculture rules.

US Unilateralism: A Threat to Global Sustainability?

More than 200 non-governmental organizations and individuals from dozens of countries around the world signed a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Madeline Albright expressing "concern at the manner in which the United States government is intervening in the domestic affairs of numerous other nations regarding their intellectual property laws".

Free Trade Area of the Americas: Some Implications for Food Security

The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) is a proposed trade agreement that would link all the states of the Western Hemisphere, except Cuba, by the year 2005.

NAFTA/WTO Conflict in Agricultural Trade

On July 14,1995, the U.S. Trade Representative's office (USTR) requested a dispute resolution panel to hear a complaint under Chapter 20 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). At issue is whether NAFTA or the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules will pertain in trade disputes over protective measures.