Thread: R-CALF: FTAs With Peru, Panama, And Colombia Detrimental To

R-CALF: FTAs With Peru, Panama, And Colombia Detrimental To U.S. Food Safety

9/27/2007 2:18:00 PM

Washington, D.C. – Recently negotiated free trade agreements (FTAs) with Peru, Panama and Colombia would limit inspections and safety requirements for food imported into the U.S. from these countries. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard, on Wednesday, participated in a briefing session on the Peru FTA for staff members of the U.S. House of Representatives, which was attended by approximately 35 staffers. Public Citizen and Food and Water Watch representatives also participated in the briefing session.

“The pending FTAs establish new committees to speed up implementation of mechanisms to facilitate trade rules, including ‘equivalence determinations,’ that require the United States to permit imports of meat and poultry products that do not meet U.S. safety standards. Once so-called equivalence is achieved, products to be imported into a country must only meet the standards of the exporting country – not those of the importing country,â€

Geez, that's exactly what we need - more trade agreements crafted after NAFTA.