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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | January 2008 
Farmers and Political Organization to Unite against NAFTA
 Prensa Latina -
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Mexico City - Farmers and political organization called on Mexican society on Monday to unite to demand the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Leaders of CCC (Central Campesina Cardenista), and lawmakers and leaders of the PRD (Democratic Revolution Party) said they are coordinating with trade unions, political groups and social organizations to unite against the NAFTA.
CCC President Max Correa, PRD Secretary General Guadalupe Acosta, PRD Presidential Candidate Jesus Ortega and Deputy Carlos Navarro, president of the Lower House's Rural Development Committee, spoke to reporters.
They pointed out that a series of street demonstrations and legislative activities to reform the NAFTA has been approved, due to the treaty's evident damage to Mexican agriculture.
They criticized the government, especially the Secretariat of Agriculture, for refusing to propose a new negotiation of the agreement to the United States and Canada, and ignoring the damage the treaty has caused to Mexican rural economy.
The leaders noted the asymmetry between the economies of Mexico, the United States and Canada, which broadens in the case of agricultural production due to the official subventions granted to US producers, who have advantages over Mexican producers.
Independently from the protests against the NAFTA that have taken place in the country recently, the immediate effort by farmers organizations is the mass demonstration that will be held here on January 31.
Mexico Farmers Rumble Against NAFTA
Prensa Latina
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Mexico City - Renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agrement is a matter of national security, CCC (Cardenista Farmer Union) President Max Correa said on Tuesday.
Correa told Prensa Latina the United States is violating that agreement, unilaterally increasing subsidies of its producers, distorting the food market and bilateral relations.
According to available data, Washington is currently granting a $26,000 subsidy, while the Mexicans that are able to access official programs, barely receive $700 annually, he explained
This not only creates disadvantages for them to compete with the foreign produce, now enjoying tax elimination due to NAFTA, but also distorts the market and bilateral trade, Correa said.
The farm leader highlighted that this is one of the main points to demand, because NAFTS supposedly includes clauses prohibiting implementation of unilateral subsidies.
The World Trade Organization also establishes preferential and different treatment to strategic produce, which could affect food sovereignty of developing countries, he said.
Correa stated that the main current effort by the farmer organizations is to establish a joint front with union and citizen entities, political parties, and legislators to support mobilizations against the NAFTA. |
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