Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy History

IATP works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems.

About IATP;xNLx;Mission statement;xNLx;IATP works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems.;xNLx;;xNLx;Rooted in family farms;xNLx;In the mid-1980s, family farmers across America were in the fight of their lives. Prices had dropped below the cost of production. Family farmers were told they were inefficient and they had to either get big or get out. Deeply flawed national and international policies were the root cause of the crisis. A galvanizing effort to save the family farm helped spawn the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP). In 1986, IATP began documenting the underlying causes of America's rural crisis and proposing policies that would benefit farmers, consumers, rural communities and the environment. Read more about IATP's history;xNLx;;xNLx;Facing globalization;xNLx;IATP works with organizations around the world to analyze how global trade agreements impact domestic farm and food policies. Alongside a global coalition, IATP advocates for fair trade policies that promote strong health standards, labor and human rights, the environment and, most fundamentally, democratic institutions.;xNLx;;xNLx;Building sustainability;xNLx;We are developing alternative economic models that include clean sources of energy such as wind power and biofuel that would spur rural development. We're working with landowners to form cooperatives that promote sustainable forest management. We're advocating for green businesses and farms that reduce toxic runoff into the Great Lakes and Mississippi River.;xNLx;;xNLx;Safe food, healthy ecosystems;xNLx;We are working to stop the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and aquaculture, while limiting the release of mercury and other toxic pollutants that fall onto farmland and enter the food supply. IATP is also monitoring the impact of genetically engineered crops on the environment, human health and farmer income.

1985-11-01 00:00:00

Globalization, meet IATP

In November of 1985, at a conference in Geneva titled "The Impact of Agricultural Trade on Domestic Farm Policies," a group of farm leaders proposed the creation of a U.S. - based organization to examine the role of trade and international institutions on national farm policy.

1986-01-01 00:00:00

IATP's creation

Working with Mark Ritchie, IATP's founder, the farm leaders who proposed a U.S. organization at The Impact of Agricultural Trade on Domestic Farm Policies conference formed IATP. Arie vanden Brand from the Netherlands became chair of a board that included representation from Germany, France, Japan, Brasil, Canada and the United States.

1986-01-01 00:00:00

International Farm Crisis Summit

In partnership with North American Farm Alliance, IATP holds an International Farm Crisis Summit in St. Louis, Missouri.

1986-09-01 00:00:00

Uruguay Round of GATT

Uruguay Round of GATT launched

1987-02-10 06:16:53

Sustainable Agriculture Computer Network

IATP opens the Sustainable Agriculture Computer Network and began publishing a series of News Bulletins, the first of which was Trade News.

1987-10-04 06:16:53

U.S.-Canadian Free Trade Agreement

As GATT talks in Geneva were encountering resistance the U.S. pushed through the first comprehensive bilateral trade agreement, the U.S.-Canadian Free Trade Agreement, enacted in Canada despite widespread opposition.

1988-04-17 06:11:38

Inernational Farm Crisis Summit in St. Louis Missouri

Again, in partnership with North American Farm Alliance, IATP holds another Inernational Farm Crisis Summit in St. Louis Missouri

1989-04-15 06:11:38

Tianamen Square

April 15, 1989 - June 4, 1989 Tianamen Square

1989-11-09 06:11:38

Berlin Wall

September 1989 the "Peaceful Revolution" begins in East Germany. By November 9 the dismantaling of the Berlin Wall begins.

1990-11-28 06:11:38

Farm Bill debates

IATP deeply involved in the Farm Bill debates

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy History

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