TPP would hurt small scale farmers in developing countries, groups say

Minneapolis – More than 50 development, religious and sustainable agriculture groups are demanding that Congress reject the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) because of its potential impacts on small scale farmers and food production, especially those in developing countries.

Rural Engagement Critical to Success of Clean Power Plan, New Report

Minneapolis – The success of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan will depend largely on state-level engagement with rural communities who are most directly affected by shifts in energy production, finds a new report from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

TPP signing represents corporate wish list; farmers, consumers and the environment lose

Minneapolis/Washington D.C. – The controversial Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was signed today in New Zealand, as opposition to the corporate-friendly deal continues to grow in the U.S. and other participating countries. The agreement now has to go to national legislatures for ratification.

U.S. rural leaders and advocates release climate change policy priorities

MINNEAPOLIS, MN/PARIS, FRANCE – Rural organizations, leaders and experts in the U.S. outlined the challenges climate change poses to rural communities and a set of policy priorities, “Rural Climate Policy Priorities: Solutions from the Ground,” released today during the first week of global climate talks in Paris.

New report challenges food safety and animal health standards in TPP trade agreement

Minneapolis – The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy has released an analysis of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement chapter on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which deals with th

TPP released: Multinationals win, farmers, consumers and the environment lose

Minneapolis/Washington D.C.– After six years of negotiations behind closed doors, the 12 governments that make up the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) have finally made their agreement public—and the news is not good.

Controversial Trade Deal Criticized for Secrecy, Benefiting only Multinationals

Minneapolis/Washington D.C.–After years of negotiations behind closed doors, it appears that the 12 countries that make up the Trans Pacific Partnership have reached a deal. While the details remain secret, the new trade rules could have serious impacts on farmers and ranchers, consumer labeling, farm to school programs and other state and local policies supporting local food systems.

More than 350 organizations from around the world oppose greenwashing and false solutions of ‘Climate Smart Agriculture'

Minneapolis–One year after the launch of the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA), more than 350 civil society organizations from around the world, including the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), rejected the ill-defined agenda of the Alliance as an empty marketing slogan, distracting governments from the transformational changes that are needed in agriculture

Farmers lack information on seed treatments found to harm pollinators, new paper

Minneapolis– The effectiveness and costs of pesticide seed coatings are not being made clear to farmers, according to a new paper by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy. Over the last decade, a small handful of seed companies often require or add neonicotinoid (neonic) seed coatings, particularly for genetically engineered crops.

Fast Track sets stage for showdown on free trade

Washington D.C.–Following an intense lobbying campaign, the Senate today caved in to demands from the Obama administration and GOP leadership and gave Trade Promotion Authority six years of life support.