1-10-08, 11;30 PM

Mexico, Dec 8 (Prensa Latina) Renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement 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 for US 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 NAFTA 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.

From Prensa Latina