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Bishops call to renegotiate NAFTA


Members of the farm organization The Barzón during a protest on January 10 on the outskirts of the Supreme Court of Justice in Mexico City.

Mexico. - A group of Mexican bishops yesterday called on the Government of the country to analyze "the possibility legal and economic convenience" to renegotiate the agricultural chapter of NAFTA with the United States Canada and peasants to defend the country and stop emigration.

"There are legal, economic and moral to renegotiate this chapter, which is a priority for the government and for legislators," the bishops to submit detailed in a press conference.

According to the bishops, the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement of North America (NAFTA) would "more decisively to protect the interests of poor peasants and indigenous people, who are the majority."

The paper, entitled "Jesus Christ, and life expectancy of indigenous people and peasants," was prepared by the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Social-Caritas, comprising representatives of Monterrey, Chalco, La Paz, Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico, Guadalajara , Tuxpan, San Cristobal de las Casas and Tijuana.

Catholic leaders are concerned by the common external tariff of NAFTA, completed on 1 January with the full liberalization of trade in maize, beans, sugar and milk.

They condemn the "huge subsidies" granted by the USA Canada and its farmers and warned that Mexican farmers "will be at a disadvantage unless Implemented measures to regulate and compensate the asymmetries of our economies. "

At Executive Mexican headed Felipe Calderon ask "create development tools that help peasants and indigenous" to go beyond the negative effects of NAFTA.

"It is urgent and imperative to devote more resources to the countryside and take care of your application straight" to reach small producers, not just those with more resources.

Religious predict that, without changes, more Mexicans migrate "to cities that are not prepared to receive them" and will try to "reach USA, which at this point has a very strong and inhumane anti-immigrant".

Also foresee an increase in rural tempted to engage in illicit crops, "open door to insecurity and violence" in Mexico.

In the document, the bishops also shows critical of the growing demand for "bio-fuels derived from grains, such as ethanol, in the developed countries.
"This is putting at risk the primary objectives of agricultural production, with serious implications for food and food sovereignty of the country," indicates.

Finally express their fear of entering Mexico genetically modified seeds because of the risks that these pose to the health, biodiversity and Peasant economy, as it lost native varieties of commodities such as corn.