Trade Observatory docs

Most recent documents

Documents are sorted by date: newest first.

Title A-Z Z-A	Author A-Z Z-A	Date 1-9 9-1
World agricultural trade and human rights: case studies on violations of the right to food of small farmers	Armin Paasch, FIAN	November 17, 2008
191k Document summary World agricultural trade and human rights: case studies on violations of the right to food of small farmers
Bridging the Divide: a human rights vision for global food trade	Carin Smaller and Sophia Murphy	November 17, 2008
277k Document summary Bridging the Divide: a human rights vision for global food trade
An Overview of Human Rights Instruments to Raise Concerns About Trade and Investment Policies	Elvira Dom�nguez Redondo and Magdalena Sep�lveda Carmona	November 17, 2008
230k Document summary An Overview of Human Rights Instruments to Raise Concerns About Trade and Investment Policies
Sinopsis de los instrumentos de derechos humanos para plantear preocupaciones sobre el comercio y las pol�ticas de inversi�n	Elvira Dom�nguez Redondo and Magdalena Sep�lveda Carmona	November 17, 2008
261k Document summary Sinopsis de los instrumentos de derechos humanos para plantear preocupaciones sobre el comercio y las pol�ticas de inversi�n
Un aper�u des instruments des droits de l'homme pour appr�hender les probl�mes lies au commerce et aux politiques d'investissement	Elvira Dom�nguez Redondo and Magdalena Sep�lveda Carmona	November 17, 2008
240k Document summary Un aper�u des instruments des droits de l'homme pour appr�hender les probl�mes lies au commerce et aux politiques d'investissement
Conference Information: Confronting the Global Food Challenge	IATP	November 16, 2008
58k Document summary Conference Information
Informaci�n sobre la Conferencia:Afrontando el Reto Alimentario Global	IATP	November 16, 2008
60k Document summary Informaci�n sobre la Conferencia
Informations pour les participants:Faire face au d�fi mondial de l�alimentation	IATP	November 16, 2008
75k Document summary Informations pour les participants
Conference Programme: Confronting the Global Food Challenge		November 16, 2008
80k Document summary Programme for international conference - Confronting the Global Food Challenge: finding new approaches to trade and investment that support the right to food.
Descripci�n de la Conferencia: Afrontando el Reto Alimentario Global		November 16, 2008
144k Document summary Descripci�n de la Conferencia - Afrontando el Reto Alimentario Global: b�squeda de nuevos enfoques al comercio y la inversi�n que apoyen el derecho a la alimentaci�n.
Programme de la Conference: Faire face au d�fi mondial de l�alimentation		November 16, 2008
78k Document summary Le programme pour la conference international - Faire face au d�fi mondial de l�alimentation: Par la d�finition de nouvelles approches pour le commerce et l�investissement qui renforcent le droit � l�alimentation.
Commodities Market Speculation: the Risk to Food Security and Agriculture	IATP	November 13, 2008
381k Document summary Excessive speculation in agriculture commodity markets has played a major role in the rapid rise and fall in global food prices, contributing to a massive increase in undernourished people and commodity market instability, according to this report by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
A Viable Response to the Food and Energy Crisis	R. Dennis Olson/IATP	October 29, 2008
112k Document summary An analysis of the links between the food and energy crises with a discussion of solutions.
Sustainable Agriculture Versus Unregulated Financial Markets	Mark Muller/IATP	October 23, 2008
319k Document summary In the volley between high prices and low prices, long-term issues of resilience and sustainability are lost.
Speculation undermines the right to food	Peter Wahl	October 23, 2008
368k Document summary “Do you enjoy rising prices? Everybody talks about commodities – with the Agriculture Euro Fund you can benefit from the increase in value of the seven most important agricultural commodities.” With this advertisement the Deutsche Bank tried in spring 2008 to attract clients for one of its investment funds. At the same time, there were hunger revolts in Haiti, Cameroon and other developing countries, because many poor could no longer pay the exploding food prices.
How Tar Sand Oil Got Into the Great Lakes Basin	David Israelson	October 8, 2008
541k Document summary The environmental impacts of Alberta's oil sands will extend thousands of kilometres away to the Great Lakes, threatening water and air quality around the world's largest body of fresh water. A report, the University of Toronto's Munk Centre.
The Global Food Price Crisis	Sophia Murphy/IATP	October 7, 2008
209k Document summary A fact sheet on the causes of the global food crisis.
Impact of Futures Trading on Agricultural Commodity Prices	Indian Government	October 7, 2008
658k Document summary This study reviews the history of commodity futures trading in India and assesses current developments in global and Indian futures trading that have caused extreme price volatility and loss of risk management capability.
Diálogo de las Américas sobre agrocombustibles y agronegocios	IATP and others	October 4, 2008
368k Document summary Frente a la crisis alimentaria y a nuevas realidades que se han sumado – en particular la especulación financiera en los mercados de los commodities y la crisis medioambiental, más de 30 representantes de organizaciones campesinas, medio ambientales y sociales de diversos países de America Latina, de los Estados Unidos y Europa nos encontramos el 4 y el 5 de octubre 2008 en la Ciudad de Guatemala en el “Diálogo de las Américas sobre agrocombustibles y agronegocios: Construyendo Alternativas desde la Soberanía Alimentaria y Energética”.
Will the World Be Able to Feed Itself in 2050?	Sophia Murphy/IATP	September 10, 2008
131k Document summary A talk given by IATP's Sophia Murphy at the One Just World conference in Adelaide, Australia.
U.S. Court of Appeals Denies Creekstone Petition to Test for Mad Cow Disease	U.S. Court of Appeals: Washington, DC	August 29, 2008
76k Document summary By a 2-1 vote, the U.S. Court of Appeals denied the petition of Creekstone Farms to test for BSE (Mad Cow disease) on all cattle it slaughters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture opposed the testing, arguing that it would be "meaningless" and "unnecessary."
Agriculture negotiations - report on the progress made during the July 08 meetings	Amb. Falconer	August 11, 2008
30k Document summary As Chair of the agriculture negotiations, Amb. Falconer circulated a report on the progress made during the July 08 meetings
Food Aid Emergency	Sophia Murphy/IATP	August 7, 2008
111k Document summary The UN and donor countries can make emergency food assistance more effective.
Natural Resources Defense Council vs. Department of State	NRDC	August 6, 2008
128k Document summary National Environmental Policy Act Lawsuit Challenging Keystone Tar Sands Pipeline
Values in Conflict: How Trade and Finance Rules Curtail Our Rights	Andre Du Plessis/IATP	August 6, 2008
4173k Document summary A chart showing how trade and finance rules conflict with the environment, human rights, public heallth, and food and agriculture.
A Framework for Rebalancing Global Norms	John Foster/IATP	August 6, 2008
1516k Document summary This paper analyzes the role of global trade and financial institutions in undermining human rights, and identifies strategies for global organizing in support of a new system.
Promoting Human Rights and the Environment in Trade and Finance Rules	Maria Julia Oliva/IATP	August 6, 2008
1595k Document summary This paper identifies successful strategies by civil society groups to challenge unfair multilateral rules.
New Global Contract Needed to Re-Assert Basic Rights, Protect Environment	IATP	August 6, 2008
154k Document summary Global institutions enforcing trade and finance rules have overridden fundamental human rights, stalled international development and harmed the environment, finds three new papers released today by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
The Food Crisis and Global Institutions	Alexandra Spieldoch/IATP	August 5, 2008
110k Document summary The food crisis should move us toward a new era of global cooperation, one that is democratic and accountable to people and the planet.
Globalization, Worker Insecurity, and Policy Approaches	Raymond Ahearn	July 31, 2008
129k Document summary Report from Congression Research Service. The U.S. economy as a whole benefits from globalization, it is not always a win-win situation for all Americans. Rising trade with low-wage developing countries not only increases concerns of job loss, but it also leads U.S. workers to fear that employers will lower their wages and benefits in order to compete.
China's Statement at WTO Trade Negotiating Committee	Li Enheng of China	July 30, 2008
6k Document summary Statement of China at WTO Ministerial.
Services Signalling Conference Report	Pascal Lamy	July 30, 2008
52k Document summary Report by Chairman of the TNC
Second ACP proposal on bananas	ACP group	July 29, 2008
11k Document summary New proposal from the ACPs on bananas
Trade Talks Collapse, New Direction Needed	IATP	July 29, 2008
149k Document summary Today, trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization in Geneva broke down. It has now been seven years since the Doha Round of negotiations began at the WTO.
July 28 proposal on SSM	G7	July 28, 2008
11k Document summary New proposal on SSM coming out of G7
Statment of India Before WTO Trade Negotiating Committee	India	July 28, 2008
12k Document summary Statement of India before the WTO Trade Negotiating Committee.
Statement of China Before the WTO Trade Negotiating Committee	China	July 28, 2008
48k Document summary Statement of China Before the WTO Trade Negotiating Committee
U.S. TNC Statement	U.S. David Shark	July 28, 2008
13k Document summary The U.S. statement before the WTO's Trade Negotiating Committee.
Geneva Agreement on Trade in Bananas	WTO members	July 27, 2008
59k Document summary An agreement on trade in bananas by key countries involved in such trade at the WTO.
Statement in July 27 green room	G33, ACP, SVE, Africa group	July 27, 2008
67k Document summary Statement on SPs and SSM
Proposals Discussed at WTO by G7		July 25, 2008
53k Document summary A series of proposals being discussed at the WTO to reach agreement on the Doha Round.
Cotton in the Revised Draft on agricultural modalities of 10 July 2008	Jacques Berthelot	July 24, 2008
190k Document summary analysis of implications for cotton in the July 10 draft modalities proposals in the Doha talks on agriculture at the WTO
Le coton dans le Projet Révisé de modalités agricoles du 10 juillet 2008	Jacques Berthelot	July 24, 2008
205k Document summary Revue des propos concernant le coton dans les modalités proposés le 10 juillet au sein des négociations de Doha sur l'agriculture à l'OMC.
U.S. Spending on Overall Trade Distorting Support, July 2008	U.S.	July 22, 2008
12k Document summary Calculations for U.S. subsidy payments, known as Overall Trade Distorting Support (OTDS), at the WTO.
On the WTO's round of negotitations	Evo Morales	July 21, 2008
55k Document summary The president of Bolivia on the WTO plans for a mini-Ministerial on the Doha Round.
Letter to Ambassador Schwab from U.S. Senators	Senators Brown, Bayh, Snow, Stabenow and Rockefeller	July 21, 2008
397k Document summary Letter to U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab regarding the Doha Round negotations taking place in Geneva this week.
WTO Doha Negotiations Threaten to Encourage Inefficient Food Aid Delivery	IATP	July 19, 2008
162k Document summary Revised rules on food aid in the latest negotiating text at the World Trade Organization fail to reduce adequately the scope for the sale of food aid and encourage a highly wasteful, trade distorting system, according to a letter sent to trade ministers today from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Oxfam International.
WTO proposed banana deal	WTO secretariat	July 17, 2008
20k Document summary Proposed deal between EC and tropical countries on bananas
The Role of Monetization in Proposed Food Aid Modalities	IATP, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Oxfam America	July 17, 2008
96k Document summary This letter to trade ministers at the WTO highlights how new agriculture text would allow the continued selling of food aid.
Draft Modalities for TRIPS-Related Issues	Brazil, European Communities, India, Switzerland	July 17, 2008
13k Document summary This is a compromise text that would require TRIPs negotiations concerning the protection of geographical indicators (e.g. "Basmati rice") and the disclosure of genetic resources and traditional knowledge used in patented products.
DSU negotiations: report by the Chairman	Ronald Saborío	July 17, 2008
299k Document summary Report by the chair of the negotiations on clarifications of the Dispute Settlement Understanding.
July 17 draft services text	Amb. De Mateo	July 16, 2008
18k Document summary New draft services text
Preference Erosion and Tropical Products	Tropical Products Group	July 15, 2008
285k Document summary A proposal from the Tropical Products Group to the ACP group within the World Trade Organization.
U.S. Overall Subsidies for 2006 and 2007	Jacques Berthelot	July 13, 2008
54k Document summary Estimates for overall trade distorting support (OTDS), basically subsidy payments, by the U.S. government.
Comments on "The 2008 Farm Bill and the Doha Round"	Jacques Berthelot	July 13, 2008
53k Document summary Comments by Jacques Berthelot on IATP's "The 2008 Farm Bill and the Doha Round," by Sophia Murphy and Steve Suppan.
The US OTDS cannot be cut by more than 52.7%	Jacques Berthelot	July 13, 2008
55k Document summary Article explaining how the US allowed overall trade distorting support (OTDS), basically subsidies, cannot be cut by more than 52.7%.
The intergovernmental framework on patent policy concerning the bill for a Law on the Conservation and Sustainable Exploitation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture	Steve Suppan/IATP	July 10, 2008
363k Document summary A talk for a Mexican Chamber of Deputies seminar on a bill regarding patents and agriculture.
El marco intergubernamental de políticas de patentes para La Iniciativa de Ley de Conservación y Aprovechamiento Sustentable de los Recursos Fitogénicos para la Alimentación y la Agricultura	Steve Suppan/IATP	July 10, 2008
110k Document summary Seminario sobre la Iniciativa de Ley
Draft agriculture modalities	Amb. Falconer	July 10, 2008
899k Document summary New draft for consideration by WTO members
July NAMA modalities	Amb. Stephenson, Chair of the NAMA negotiations	July 10, 2008
552k Document summary New draft for consideration by WTO members
Comparison NAMA Texts 19 May vs 10 July, 2008	WTO	July 10, 2008
715k Document summary Comparison of 19 May version of non-agricultural market access (NAMA) text and 10 July version of NAMA text.
Compare Agriculture Texts 19 May vs 10 July, 2008	WTO	July 10, 2008
1524k Document summary Comparison of agriculture texts from 19 May with agriculture texts from 10 July.
G33 Statement on Agriculture Negotiations, July 2008	Group of 33	July 7, 2008
25k Document summary G33, grop of developing countries, statement on the WTO agriculture negotiations.
Financial Instability and the GATS Negotiations	Ellen Gould	July 7, 2008
407k Document summary This essay reviews further deregulation of the financial service industry under the proposed new rules for the General Agreement on Trade in Services. If the proposed rules are implemented, greater financial instability could ensue.
G33 Talking Points on Special Products, July 2008	Group of 33	July 4, 2008
23k Document summary G33, group of development countries, talking points on the Special Products category to defend food and livelihood security and rural development at the WTO.
G33 Talking Points on the Special Safeguar Mechanism, July 2008	Group of 33	July 4, 2008
21k Document summary G33, group of development countries, talking points on the Special Safeguar Mechanism (SSM) to defend food and livelihood security and rural development at the WTO.
G20 on pending data issues in Ag negotiations	G20	July 1, 2008
14k Document summary PENDING DATA ISSUES IN DOMESTIC SUPPORT AND EXPORT SUBSIDIES
Tim Lang On the Future of Food	Seedling	July 1, 2008
204k Document summary Professor of Food Policy at City University in London, Timothy Lang is a leading authority on food. He has written extensively on issues such as food security, food inequalities, nutrition and the tension between food democracy and food control. The steep rise in the price of basic food commodities on the world market this year came as no surprise to him, for he has been warning for some time that the world is “sleepwalking into a crisis”.
G33 Statement at June 27 TNC	G33	June 30, 2008
23k Document summary G33 response to Lamy's proposal to hold a ministerial meeting July 21, 2008.
Issues for discussion on WPDR	WPDR	June 25, 2008
286k Document summary Issues raised by delegations in relation to negotiations on Domestic Regulation under GATS