US-Chilean Officials Set To Discuss Environmental Provisions Of Forthcoming FTA

by Mike Godfrey, for LawAndTax-News.com, Washington

23 April 2008

Officials from the United States and Chile will meet in Santiago, Chile this week to discuss the Environment Chapter of the US-Chile FTA, and the work plan associated with the Environmental Cooperation Agreement.

This is the fourth meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council of the US-Chile FTA.

The meetings will include delegates representing agencies involved with environmental affairs in each of the two nations.

Chile will be represented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment Directorate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DIMA), General Directorate for International Economic Affairs (DIRECON), and the National Commission for the Environment (CONAMA).

The United States will be represented by the Department of State, US Trade Representative (USTR), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Chilean government has also invited the US Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC) Members and the Liaisons to the Environmental Affairs Council Meeting to have an exchange with its advisors on trade and environment.

This will be the first such meeting between trade and environment advisory committees established pursuant to the provisions of a US free trade agreement.

To demonstrate the mutual supportiveness of trade and environment, the Chilean government is organizing a tour of the Cono Sur Vineyard in Chimbarongo, Chile.

The Cono Sur Vineyard is an organic vineyard, the first in Chile to receive ISO certifications 9001 and 14001, and is a carbon neutral company. In addition to its environmental record, the value of Cono Sur wines exported to the United States has increased significantly since the US-Chile FTA entered into force on 1st January, 2004.

Between 2006-2007 alone, the exportation value increased by 112%. Cono Sur is expecting this percentage to continue to grow.

Both the TEPAC advisors and the government representatives will also hold meetings with the public during their visit to Chile.

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