A report for the National Farmers Union indicates that five global agglomerations are likely to control the retail food trade in Europe and North America within a decade. Four companies control the U.S. beef, pork, and poultry sectors. Three dominate dairy production and marketing. This highly concentrated system excludes small farmers. In Maine, apple production is undercut by surplus juice production from China.
French cheeses face high tariffs in U.S. markets because of a trade dispute involving bananas.
We can all do our part by supporting local farmers at home, and purchasing products that meet fair standards when we buy products from away. Meanwhile, we all have to work together to prevent a hemisphere wide free trade policy that will undermine farmers everywhere.