IF YOU EAT, YOU SHOULD CARE
ABOUT THE FTAA

Transnational corporations and corporate governments are charging ahead full speed with their plans for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by 2005 or earlier. The Canadian government is a major architect of the proposal, which threatens to wipe out whatever gains farmers and other citizens have won in their on-going struggles for fair prices for farm products, decent working conditions, sustainable rural communities, environmental protection, and food security. Specifically at risk are supply management, farm subsidies, cooperative and single-desk marketing structures, safeguards for organic production, fair transportation policies, food and water safety measures, and public services like education, sanitation and health care.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

The National Farmers Union is working with other Canadian and international organizations to plan and carry out the Agriculture/Campesino Forum of the People's Summit of the Americas at Quebec City, April 16 - 21, 2001. The NFU is the major host agency for this Forum, which will bring approximately 100 participants from throughout North, Central and South America, to discuss and strategize around the actual and potential effects of a hemispheric Free Trade Agreement on rural people, our communities, and our environment.

From this meeting we expect clear plans to emerge for on-going development of trade and other policies which would be truly beneficial at all these levels.

A central goal for the NFU is to ensure broad and effective grass-roots participation in the Forum and Summit by farmers and other rural Canadians.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Farm and rural organizations, churches, and local businesses who care about these issues can help by sending a farm youth, woman or man to Quebec to take part in the Agriculture Forum and the rest of the People's Summit. If someone in your community is interested in going, you can contribute to their costs for transportation, accomodation and food. Or you can contribute to the NFU's general pool to help with such costs for others.

You can also spread the word about what is happening and why it is so important for farm and rural people to be involved.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT (ASAP):

Shannon Storey, National Farmers Union, 2717 Wentz Ave, Saskatoon, Sask, S7K 4B6
(306) 652-9465; fax (306) 664-6226
nfu@sk.sympatico.ca
or
Helen Forsey, National Farmers Union, RR 1, Ompah, Ont., K0H 2J0
(613) 479-2453
fax (613) 479-0126