Consumer Alert promotes open trade at home and abroad.

Trade has been a big international policy issue recently, due to the 5th World Trade Organization Ministerial Meeting in Cancun, Mexico in September. Consumer Alert has been actively involved in the debate at home and abroad. Senator Hagel from Nebraska spoke on September 8 about the importance of open trade for consumers, at an event in Washington, DC that was cosponsored by CA.

CA and its international coalition, International Consumers for Civil Society were also present at the WTO meeting in Cancun. CA and ICCS organized five events on a wide range of issues such as open trade and the effects on consumers, and agricultural biotechnology and sustainability. The events drew a well-informed audience with several high-ranking experts, policy makers, and government officials from around the world.

Unfortunately, the WTO meeting did not result in an agreement for further trade liberalization, especially in those highly protected industries such as agriculture. However, CA will continue to be involved in the issue and was able to work closer with like-minded non-profit groups from around the world to make the voices of consumers better heard at the negotiations.