Take note, faithful readers: a new threat to family farmers, good food and a more just food system is looming, this time in the form of pro-corporate, multinational trade agreements.
This year, more than 600 multinational corporations and Wall Street investors have been crafting two major trade deals: the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) between the U.S. and Pacific Rim countries and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the U.S. the European Union.
The language in both of these deals spells bad news for family farmers and even the most basic tenets of our democracy. To make matters worse: President Obama is seeking to secure what’s called “Fast Track” negotiating authority for these deals so he can sign the agreements without needing to go through Congress to craft specifics.
As farmers and eaters, it can feel daunting to even consider taking action on something of global scale, but we have a chance to band together to stop dangerous developments in these trade deals.
In that spirit, Farm Aid is joining together with several other experts and partner organizations to explore what TPP, TTIP & Fast Track could mean for good food and family farmers. Experts and activists warn of a number of threats concerning food safety, local food, factory farms, fracking, antibiotics, pesticides, GMOs and much more in these trade deals.
We invite you to join us on Twitter on Wednesday, December 10th from 3:00-4:30pm EST to learn more. See the official invite below and be sure to follow @farmaid on Twitter to join in!
Two trade agreements are set to threaten years of work supporting family farmers, good food and building a more just food systems in favor of corporate profits. As negotiations continue in secret and the President seeks to secure Fast Track authority to avoid working with Congress, it is essential that those who care about our food system weigh in. What do those interested in fighting for a better food and farm system need to know to influence the debate?
Join us on Twitter for #FoodTradeFail, a discussion with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and a host of other experts and organizations to get your questions answered.
- What are the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
- What is Fast Track?
- Why are these trade agreements a threat to local food, food safety and our democracy?
- How can you get involved?
Trade should serve people, not corporations. Join us to learn more, get involved and help prevent the #FoodTradeFail.
Wednesday, December 10
3:00–4:30pm EST
Join these organizations on Twitter for the chat to stay informed!
- Farm Aid – @farmaid
- Animal Welfare Approved – @AWAapproved
- EcoCentric Blog – @EcoCentered
- Food & Water Watch – @foodandwater
- Friends of the Earth – @foe_us
- Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy – @iatp
- Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement – @iowacci
- Land Stewardship Project – @LSPnow
- Missouri Rural Crisis Center – @morural
- Socially Responsible Agriculture Project – @SRAProject
- Sustainable Table – @eatsustainable
