Codex Briefing Paper

This paper by IATP's Dr. Steve Suppan was written for Consumer International's Decision Making in the Global Market program.

U.S. Not Doing Enough to Fight Mad Cow

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been under fire for its handling of the discovery of mad cow disease on a Washington farm last year, and the agency's ensuing efforts to improve regulations to prevent the disease. One giant problem is that the testing program is voluntary, allowing producers to choose which cattle the USDA will see and test.

How to Make it Work: Required Policy Transformations for Agroecosystem

Dennis Keeney and Loni Kemp combined their expertise to explain the driving forces in agriculture today, including policy and technology, and to point the way to a new green payments approach for U.S. farm policy.

Another "Truly Historic" Trade Agreement

A recent framework agreed to at the World Trade Organization is full of well-meaning rhetoric, but does nothing to address the fundamental distortions in world agricultural commodity markets.

Waters in Common: Protecting Water and Farming in the Great Lakes Basin

The Great Lakes water supply is under threat from development, pollution and water withdrawals. Protection of this resource is crucial for the future of the region's agriculture base.

UN Conference on Trade and Development Takes Positive Step Forward

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) meeting came to a close today with developing countries continuing to stand together and demand fair trade policies from developed nations. A new initiative to address low agricultural commodity prices was a significant step forward.

UN Conference Has Opportunity to Address Global Commodity Crisis

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) meeting next week in Sao Paulo, Brazil offers an historic opportunity to change the direction of the global trade system to ensure fair prices for farmers and spur rural economic development.

UNCTAD XI: Challenging the Commodity Crisis

After 50 years of waivers and carefully worded exemptions for agriculture, rich countries may have lost their power to set agricultural policies without regard for the rest of the world.

Making Fish Healthier to Eat: EPA Proposal Raises Hurdles

Widespread pollution in Minnesota, as in other states, has prompted statewide fish consumption advisories based on mercury. Government agencies acknowledge exposure threatens child development, their response is largely limited to reducing exposure - warning women to watch how much fish they eat - putting the burden on the individual to tackle the problem.

Analysis of the Central American Free Trade Agreement Concerning Agriculture

The provisions in the Central American Free trade Agreement (CAFTA) that pertain to agricultural trade and agribusiness investment are spread through several chapters of the CAFTA text.