September 2, 2003

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ben Lilliston, 301-270-4787, cell 301-641-5529, blilliston@iatp.org

Minneapolis - Decisions on a series of critical issues for farmers could be decided at the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Cancun next week. The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) has highlighted some of the key areas of negotiation in a series of six new white papers now available at: www.tradeobservatory.org.

Farmgate prices, domestic subsidies, extension services, access to plants and water - all will be on the table when trade ministers meet in Cancun from September 10-14. Negotiations at the WTO have stalled as countries try to reach agreement on new agricultural trade rules. The WTO is behind schedule in agriculture negotiations, having missed a March 31 deadline earlier this year.

"The WTO-driven system has not improved the lives of farmers in the U.S. and around the world," said IATP President Mark Ritchie. "For the WTO to succeed as an institution, it must address agriculture - and that means it must stop the illegal sale of commodities at below cost of production prices onto the international markets. We've seen an exciting new Fair Trade system work outside of the WTO system - now it's time for the WTO to start adapting to what's actually working for farmers."

The IATP White Papers highlight several key issues for farmers leading up to the Cancun meeting:

• United States Dumping on World Agricultural Markets - This paper documents the level at which the U.S. sells major farm commodities on world markets at below the cost of production price;
• World Trade Organization Agreement on Agriculture Basics - Considered the centerpiece of negotiations, this paper explains the various components of the Agriculture agreement;
• The WTO Services Agreement: Possible Impacts on Agriculture - How agriculture extension services are managed at the state and local level could change dramatically under the WTO Services Agreement;
• WTO Decision-Making: A Broken Process - Behind the negotiating deadlocks at the WTO, is a chaotic and undemocratic process that greatly benefits the more powerful member countries;
• The TRIPs Agreement: Who Owns and Controls Knowledge and Resources - The WTO's intellectual property agreement governing medicines and genetically modified plants is among the most controversial;
• Water Services Under the World Trade Organization - Emerging efforts at the WTO are pushing for the privatization of water services in countries around the world.

IATP has been monitoring the impact of the WTO and international trade rules on family farmers in the U.S. and around the world for 15 years. More information about the Cancun meeting can be found at IATP's web site: www.tradeobservatory.org

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy promotes resilient family farms, rural communities and ecosystems around the world through research and education, science and technology, and advocacy.

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