wto: hands off our natural
environment
Trade talks might seem far away from
our lives, but they have a very real
impact on how we live and on our
surrounding environment. Established in
1995, the World Trade Organization
(WTO) is a global commerce agency,
which makes binding and enforceable
rules on international trade, it has
become one of the main mechanisms of
corporate globalization. Friends of the
Earth International will be making its
presence felt at the Sixth WTO
Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong,
China from 13 to 18 December 2005.
The current negotiations in the
World Trade Organization, the body that
governs world trade, could – if
concluded - increase pressure on the
natural environment, reduce the ability
of impoverished countries to develop,
and affect the livelihoods of small
farmers and fisherfolk around the
globe. They could also reduce national
governments’ ability to implement
domestic laws and regulations to
protect the environment and promote
health and safety.
did you know?
The WTO benefits big corporations at
the expense of national and local
economies, workers, farmers, indigenous
peoples, women and other social groups
all suffer.
Health and safety takes a back seat,
along with the environment and animal
welfare.
The WTO says its goal is to "help
producers of goods and services,
exporters, and importers conduct their
business", but WTO agreements have
marginalized the majority of the people
all around the world.
read more about the
wto
and our
trade
campaign
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