USTR Initiates Environmental Reviews of Proposed FTAs
 
January 15, 2003
 

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is initiating an environmental review of the proposed United States-Central America Free Trade Agreement (US-CAFTA), and U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. The agency is requesting written comments from the public on what should be included in the scope of the environmental review, including the potential environmental effects that might flow from the free trade agreements and the potential implications for U.S. environmental laws and regulations, and identification of complementarities between trade and environmental objectives, such as the promotion of sustainable development. Views on appropriate methodologies and sources of data for conducting the review also are invited. Persons submitting written comments should provide as much detail as possible on the degree to which the subject matter they propose for inclusion in the review may raise significant environmental issues in the context of the negotiation. Public comments should be received no later than January 15, 2003. Submissions may be made by electronic mail: on US-CAFTA to FR0053@ustr.gov; on US-Morocco FTA to FR0054@ustr.gov. Submissions by facsimile: Gloria Blue, Executive Secretary, Trade Policy Staff Committee, at 1-202-395-6143. Additional information is available online at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-29691.htm (US-CAFTA); and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-29692.htm (US-Morocco FTA).