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Mexican Farmers Hurt by NAFTA


Mexico, Oct 1 (Prensa Latina) Mexican farmers demanded the cancellation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)chapter on agriculture, in order for the agricultural producers to survive.

The demand was announced at the closing ceremony of the First Binational Congress of Farmers and Small Farmers of Mexico and the United States.

Attendants to the meeting discussed the problem that has plunged Mexican farmers into a serious crisis, due to the interests of the agro-industry and export transnational corporations.

The principle of unity among small farmers from both sides of the border and the need to achieve fair trade among producers, respecting the neighboring marketsī feasibility, prevailed during the discussions.

In this point, there was opposition to the free trade agreements that facilitate and legalize the invasion of products under production costs, favoring the large agro-industrial corporations at the same time.

They recalled that a total opening of Mexican and US markets to agricultural products will be completed by January 2008, worsening the farmers crisis for both sides.

In consequence, there will be a displacement of thousands of farmers and indigenous people from their places of origin, and US family farming producers will almost disappear, generating an increase of migration among Mexicans.



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