For Immediate Release: January 16, 2008

Sutton Resolution Points to Link between U.S. Trade Policies and Increase in Tainted Imported Food and Products

Introduction of Resolution is in Conjunction with the United Steelworkers National Day of Action on Toxic Trade

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Betty Sutton today introduced a House Resolution, recognizing the importance of food and product safety and the impact of U.S. trade policy on the well-being of American families.

"It's difficult to pick up a newspaper these days without reading a story about imported food tainted with dangerous chemicals or imported children's toys laced with unacceptable levels of lead" said Rep. Sutton. "The relationship between the growing import safety crisis and American trade policy is undeniable. To anyone who has paid close attention to American trade policy, it should come as no surprise that our markets are being increasingly flooded with unsafe food and products. To fully address the growing consumer safety crisis we now face, we must examine the parallel relationship between imported food and product safety and American trade policy."

"I am very proud to join my Steelworker brothers and sisters and other union members from all across this country to work on an issue so important to our families" continued Sutton. "As the U.S. negotiates and rubber-stamps trade agreements with countries that have inadequate safety standards, our families are increasingly exposed to dangerous food and products that do not meet the standards set by the U.S. for the safety of consumers."

"Most of our trade agreements merely require our trading partners to meet a vague equivalent standard, and even these minimal standards are rarely, if ever, enforced. Astonishingly, these agreements eliminate the ability of our own federal officials to vigorously inspect imported goods, as it would be viewed as an impediment to trade. It's truly amazing that our policies have prioritized expanding trade over our responsibility to protect American citizens from tainted products and food."

In 1992, the FDA inspected approximately 8 percent of imported food. However, because trade policies have made us dependent on foreign-produced food, the U.S. now imports nearly double the value of food that it imported when NAFTA went into effect over a decade ago. As a result, the FDA estimates it will only inspect 0.6 percent of the food it regulates at the border in 2007. The U.S. allows food to be imported through 360 ports, although only 13 cities have an FDA laboratory. Today over 80 percent of seafood consumed by Americans is imported.

Today, thousands of working families will take part in a National Day of Action on Toxic Trade. In 100 cities across the country, participants will rally to demand that Congress act immediately to protect Americans from the threat posed by the millions of imported lead-laced toys and other unsafe products. Other groups joining the USW for the National Day of Action include the AFL-CIO and dozens of allied community, environmental and health organizations from across the country.

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Contact: Adri Jayaratne at 202-225-3401