These conference proceedings explore why policy coherence is important, how it affects global agricultural trade, and whether it can help reduce poverty and hunger.

Trade liberalisation affects the pattern and structure of agricultural production, with consequences for the environment. But what are these impacts? And do agri-environmental policies affect international competitiveness? This study takes an in-depth look at the pig sector in OECD countries and draws some conclusions about the most appropriate forms of policy intervention. Further trade liberalisation is likely to strengthen market trends in the pig sector. Production is expected to slow, if not contract, in OECD European and Asian countries. In these countries, government support for pig production in the form of tariffs and/or export subsidies is generally the highest, and the environmental impacts of pig production on water and air pollution are of greatest concern. This book argues that liberalising trade is therefore likely to generate some environmental benefits. Regulatory requirements are the most important type of agri-environmental measures affecting pig production, and these mainly focus on the appropriate management of manure to reduce water pollution. Using comparative analysis, this study concludes that while manure management regulations do differ among countries, the cost effect on pig producers is not significant in explaining differences in international competitiveness.€ This is the first in a series of in-depth studies being undertaken by the OECD to investigate the linkages between agriculture, trade and the environment. Other studies examining the dairy and arable crop sectors are underway.

In this timely volume, an international group of economists, trade negotiators, and environmentalists brings diverse perspectives to bear on the contentious issue of international trade and the environment. Providing a conceptual framework to help assess the issues, the contributors discuss three themes: the dimensions of the economic and political

In the current age of globalization, collaboration between nations is paramount. In September 2003, a group of academics, government officials, and business leaders gathered at the University of Calgary under the auspices of its Latin American Research Centre (LARC) to discuss issues related to international trade negotiations in agriculture. This innovative undertaking, which was a collaborative effort of York University, the University of Western Ontario, L'Université du Québec à Montréal, and the University of Calgary, had one main objective: to identify trade issues common to Canada and Brazil and to formulate possible plans for co-operation and coalition-building. Trade Negotiations in Agriculture: A Future Common Agenda for Brazil and Canada? is one result of this highly successful conference. This collection highlights some of the outstanding contributions from conference participants and provides useful background information for those who want to learn more about these important international economic issues.With Contributions by:Eugene BealieuShenjie ChenJames D. GaisfordAnnette HesterGrant E. IssacMario Q.M. JalesMarcos S. JankFlorencia JubanyJane H. KelleyWillima A. KerrLaura J. LoppacherJames D. RudeEstela TavaresMay T. Yeung

The 2024 AATM investigates critical issues related to African agricultural trade. As in previous editions of the report, we have developed a database that corrects discrepancies in trade flow values, as reported by importing and exporting countries, as the basis for analyzing Africa’s international, domestic, and regional economic community (REC) trade. Given the pressing need to address climate change and curb greenhouse gas emissions, this year’s AATM takes an in-depth look at the relationship between climate change, water use, and emissions and African agricultural trade.

The markets for organic and fair trade certified commodities are growing rapidly, with environmentally sound and more equitable certification systems likely to offer benefits for both small-scale farmers and society at large. Despite much debate about their contribution to sustainability, there has been little scientific analysis, so it is vital to assess if it is technically and economically feasible to meet growing consumer demands regarding food safety, quality and ethics through smallholder and marginal producers. Overall, there is a need to explore the potential of these certification systems as emerging areas in research and development cooperation. This book is an important read for researchers and students in agricultural and development economics, and it is also a useful resource for policy makers and practitioners involved in organic and fair trade agriculture.

The International Agricultural Trade Research Consortium (lA TRC) is a group of economists from around the world who are interested in fostering research and providing a forum for the exchange of ideas relating to international trade of agricultural commodities. Each summer the lA TRC sponsors a symposium on a topic relating to trade and trade policy from which proceedings are published. For a list of past symposia and related publications, contact Laura Bipes, IA TRC Administrative Assistant, Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States of America.

Most of the U.S. agricultural export gains under FTAs have occurred with Canada and Mexico, the top two U.S. agricultural trading partners. Though U.S. sales to overseas markets were expected to increase anyway because of population growth and income gains, analyses suggest that the FTAs recently put into effect or concluded since 2004 could boost U.S. agricultural exports by an additional 2.0% to 2.7%. Large gains are also projected under the potential FTA with South Korea. Because of the reciprocity introduced into the agricultural trading relationship in those FTAs concluded with several developing countries that protect their farm sectors with high tariffs and restrictive quotas, U.S. exporters will benefit from increased sales. Net U.S. agricultural imports under these FTAs could be 1.4% higher than forecast. The share of two-way U.S. agricultural trade (exports and imports) covered by FTAs has increased from 1% in 1985 (when the first FTA took effect) to 41% in 2006 (reflecting FTAs with 13 countries). Ranked in order, they are Canada, Mexico, Australia, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, El Salvador, Singapore, Morocco, Nicaragua, Jordan, and Bahrain. If trade is included with nine other countries with which FTAs have been: approved but are not yet in effect (Costa Rica and Oman); concluded and awaiting consideration in the 110th Congress (Colombia, Panama, Peru and South Korea); recently took effect (Dominican Republic); and may be concluded (Thailand and Malaysia), another 9% of U.S. agricultural trade would be covered.