Food Trade Alliance formed to support global trade reforms

Food & Drink Weekly, Jan 24, 2005

A number of national trade associations have formed a coalition called the Food Trade Alliance, which will advocate for global food and agriculture trade policy reform. According to the groups, the new coalition "is the first to bring together consumer advocates, companies and trade associations from all major industries that purchase food and food products, including restaurants, retailers and food processors." Its plans include support for policymakers in the United States and abroad who favor expanding international food trade, and raising awareness of the damage that trade barriers in food causes consumers and businesses in the food industry, including farmers.

"With the WTO negotiating changes to the international trading system, including agricultural trade, and a growing consensus in both developed and developing countries that the system needs to be changed, there is a unique opportunity to bring about much-needed reforms," said Clayton Yeutter, who is senior adviser to the alliance. "While some protectionist interests have blocked progress in the past, the Food Trade Alliance will be a strong, unified voice for consumers and consuming industries in the upcoming trade policy debates in Washington and capitals around the world," he said. Yeutter is a former secretary of agriculture and former U.S. trade representative.

Coalition members include Consumers for World Trade, National Retail Federation, National Restaurant Association, Food Marketing Institute, National Council of Chain Restaurants, Consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition, "and other trade associations and companies representing the food processing, restaurant, retail and other sectors," according to a statement.