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 networks with other venues including the United Nations Commission on
Sustainable Development to ensure the family farmer link to other organizing efforts.
2. Continue work with Via Campesina to develop a stronger North American presence.
3. 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.
4. Develop a further analysis of US agriculture and biotechnology positions at the World Trade Organization.
5. Participate in farm tours planned for 2006-07 to connect food security and food sovereignty issues.
