Goals:
* Develop fair trade alternatives that incorporate a family farm
agenda on farm income issues and biotechnology crop approval/marketing/labeling
issues
* Develop a farmer based strategy against the expansion of the
North America Free Trade Agreements (NAFTA) to the Free Trade
Area of the Americas(FTAA) and the Central America Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA)
NFFC's Trade Task Force is comprised of NFFC member groups that
work on the grassroots level whose leaders educate farmers and
community members on trade issues. The Task Force also facilitates
information, provides updates on trade negotiations, and coordinates
meetings with local officials and congressional members. This
ensures the strong presence and family farmers' voice in local
and national media, especially during trade agreement negotiations
like the World Trade Organization's Cancun Ministerial and the
FTAA negotiations in Miami, Florida.
Farmer leaders within NFFC also represent the organization within
Via Campesina, the international farmer peasant organization.
Farmer leaders and NFFC staff also participate in both the field
and legislative efforts within the Citizens Trade Campaign.
NFFC co-organized a Midwest Farm Tour in July 2003 with seven
NFFC member groups. The tour included farm leaders and economists
from Mexico who explained the negative impacts of NAFTA on their
rural economy.
Current Priorities:
1. Develop a campaign plan for farmers to get involved in fighting
the upcoming legislative battles on CAFTA and the next FTAA meetings
scheduled for Brazil in the Summer 2004.
2. Develop networks with other venues including the United Nations
Commission on Sustainable Development to ensure the family farmer
link to other organizing efforts.
3. Continue work with Via Campesina to develop a stronger North
American presence.
4. Continue work with partner organizations on trade: Institute
on Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), Oxfam America, Public
Citizen and others to develop an alternative vision for a fair
agricultural trade policy.
5. Develop a further analysis of US agriculture and biotechnology
positions at the World Trade Organization.
6. Participate in farm tours planned for 2004 to connect food
security and food sovereignty issues.
