Projects

Free Trade of the Americas, the WTO & New Farm Legislation

Approximately 100 participants from agribusinesses, agricultural organizations, government agencies and universities met in San Antonio, Texas, for this conference May 23-24, 2002. The timing of this conference fit well with the recent completion of the new U.S. farm bill, which refocused attention to the implications for trade of domestic agricultural policy.

The  conference program addressed issues and prospects for the Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA), the World Trade Organization (WTO) ,and for Cuba. The program also included detailed analyses of NAFTA issues and impacts, domestic policy and trade implications, trade and environmental issues, and adjustments in U.S. agriculture necessary for some commodities because of FTAA, WTO, and farm bill impacts.

This Farm Foundation-sponsored conference was coordinated by S-287 Southern Regional Research Project “Impacts of Trade Agreements and Economic Policies on Southern Agriculture.” The committee’s research and outreach have national and international audiences and its membership has a national reputation for outstanding research and educational activities. Papers and presentations are available at http://cnas.tamu.edu/publications/powerpoint/program2.htm.

02-09