FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
05.27.04
Contact: Katherine Ozer (202) 543-5675
NFFC OPPOSES CENTRAL AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (CAFTA)
WASHINGTON, May 27, 2004 – The National Family Farm Coalition
(NFFC) joined with U.S. and Central American groups Thursday to
oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).
“CAFTA dismantles a nation’s food sovereignty,”
said Dena Hoff, a Montana farmer and NFFC’s Trade Task Force
Chair. “Corporate driven industrialized agriculture will
force thousands of Central American families off the land, increasing
migration to urban areas in Central America and the U.S.”
In September 2003, NFFC joined with over 30 organizations in
issuing the Principles Statement on CAFTA negotiations. It stated:
“Farmer’s livelihoods will be left at the whim of
large agribusiness interests unless exporting countries of major
commodities take the lead in establishing price floors to assure
fair commodity prices worldwide and strategic international reserves
to ensure food security.”
CAFTA also expands intellectual property protections set at the
World Trade Organization (WTO), enabling multinational biotech
corporations to encourage their government to seek sanctions against
CAFTA members whose farmers replanted genetically modified seeds.
“No free trade agreement should eliminate the rights of
farmers and citizens to decide their own food and agricultural
policies,” said NFFC Executive Director Katherine Ozer.
“Corporate grain traders and exporters will benefit from
this trade agreement, not family farmers or consumers in the U.S.
or Central America.”
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The National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC), founded in 1986, provides
a voice for grassroots groups on farm, food, trade and rural economic
issues to ensure fair prices for family farmers, safe and healthy
food, and vibrant, environmentally sound rural communities here
and around the world. NFFC represents family farm and rural groups
in 30 states whose members' face the challenge of the deepening
economic recession in rural communities caused primarily by low
farm prices and the increasing corporate control of agriculture.
For further information about the organization, call 1-800-639-3276
or visit www.nffc.net.
