Government officials negotiating the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas have opened a comment period in which business leaders, environmentalists and the rest of civil society will be able to express their views on the 34-nation initiative. The 5-month public comment period, opened Nov. 1, is intended in part to address demands by environmental NGOs for a greater say in the trade talks, which were launched at the 1994 Summit of the Americas in Miami. But NGOs say the FTAA process still does not ensure adequate discussion of environmental issues. Some, such as the National Wildlife Federation, are lobbying to open up the process. Others are organizing independent forums to showcase an alternative agenda. The call for input is being made by... [Log in to read more]