WASHINGTON - Congressman Adam H. Putnam (FL-12) issued the following statement following the end of the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Cancun, Mexico.

“While negotiators were unable to bridge differences among member nations at the global level, challenges still remain for the Florida citrus industry in future regional and bilateral trade negotiations,” said Putnam.

“Brazil and a score of other developing nations led the fight against the United States and the European Union, with the negotiation strategy of all take and no give,” said Putnam. “It will be important to Florida to see what their approach is in Miami’s FTAA meeting in November.”

The WTO meeting, held September 11-14, was scheduled to achieve a framework for expanded market access, reduction of farm subsidies and other trade liberalization measures among the 146 member nations. Negotiations broke down as a group of semi-developing nations walked away from the table due to a lack of agreement on nearly all of the issues.

“The second world misplayed their hand and the third world will suffer for it,” concluded Putnam.