Global Trade Deficit in Food Safety

Read the case on page 223 of your text and answer the following questions.

How do you think countries with a high volume of exports to the United States, such as Mexico, would respond to stricter food- safety rules?

Do you think such measures are a good way to stem the tide of food- related illnesses? Why or why not?

Sue Doneth of Marshall, Michigan, is a mother of one of the schoolchildren who was exposed to the hepatitis A virus after eating tainted frozen strawberry desserts. Speaking before Congress, she said, " We are forcing consumers to trade the health and safety of their families for free trade.

That is not fair trade. NAFTA is not a trade issue; it is a safety issue." Do you think food- safety regu-lations should be built into an extension of NAFTA? Why or why not?

What are the benefits and drawbacks of put-ting food- safety regulations into international trade pacts?

The lack of harmonized food- safety practices and stan-dards is just one of the challenges faced by the food industry as it becomes more global.

What other challenges face the food industry in an era of economic integration and opening markets?