Food is more than just what we eat. It connects us to each other and our environment. And how we treat it is of tremendous importance to our democracy.
Right now, the future of our food is being decided behind closed doors.
The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a massive trade and investment deal being negotiated by the United States and 11 Pacific Rim countries, treats food as just another global commodity to be traded and exchanged. This approach completely overlooks its vital importance to human life.
President Barack Obama is calling on Congress to give him “fast track” authority to move along the TPP quickly, as well as a similar pact with the European Union. This would empower him to hastily conclude the deals without giving Congress time to review or revise them.
Leaked documents show that the treaties, which together cover nearly three quarters of the global economy, raise several major red flags for food safety.