Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Coffee-Growers Reject U.S. Proposal

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GUATEMALA CITY, Nov 18 2003 (IPS) - The National Coffee Association of Guatemala (Anacafe) rejected the U.S. proposal to define rules of origin for cafe based on soluble coffee and processed beverages, instead of based on where the coffee was grown. The initiative came amid talks for a free trade agreement involving the United States and five Central American countries.

“The proposal of the United States is unacceptable. It is the leading processor of soluble coffee, importing the commodity from different countries,” said Rosemarie Luna, Anacafe's director of market standards.

“The rules of origin should not be implemented at industrialization, but at the place of origin of the crop, where the characteristics of quality are defined, and in Guatemala the coffee quality is very high,” she told Tierramérica.

“We regret the lack of U.S. interest in negotiating the rules of origin for coffee and other agricultural products. The discussion has been left for the end of the agenda,” to wrap up in mid-December in Washington, Luna said.