Peru and U.S. Discuss Environmental Issues Under the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement

As the subject of trade agreements will continue to be an important on in U.S. foreign policy debates, we want to share a bit of somewhat boring news:  The United States and Peru held their first bilateral Environmental Affairs Council meeting in Washington, D.C. this past week. 

Exciting right?  No, not really, but it is exactly these kinds of meetings that facilitate the important benefits that can be achieved under bilateral treaties such as the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.

Peru and the United States established the Environmental Affairs Council within the Environment Chapter of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (USPTPA) as way of discuss how to implement the Environment Chapter.  The Council will report to the Free Trade Commission regarding Chapter implementation and also discuss implementation of the Environmental Cooperation Agreement.

During their meeting this week, U.S. and Peruvian trade and environment officials discussed compliance with environmental provisions under the USPTPA and reviewed implementation of the Annex on Forest Sector Governance.  They also discussed implementation of the Environmental Cooperation Agreement, including areas where the U.S. and Peru collaborate on environmental protection.  

(mew)