Have you heard about the Trans-Pacific Partnership? You should not feel bad if you haven’t, as this secret trade deal is being negotiated in Washington behind closed doors. It is so secret that members of the public are prevented from seeing the text of the proposal. Until recently, even members of Congress couldn’t see the text. They can now, but they still must go through cloak-and-dagger drama to do so. But while all of this is true, it’s also true that over 600 multinational corporations have been made “special advisors” for the purpose of assisting our trade representatives draft the deal. We only know this shocking truth due to a few leaks that have come out along the way.

Inside the trade deal, known as the TPP, is a provision called Investor State Dispute Resolution that will allow companies to challenge - as illegal trade barriers - any government policies that purportedly infringe on corporate profits. In short, a corporation could sue Federal, state and local governments if it believes that a law or regulation will negatively impact its bottom line. This is scary in all sorts of ways.

The ISDR provision will be used to challenge food-labeling laws like country-of-origin and even GMO labeling. The deal will allow food importers to force products suspected of unlawful contamination into commerce while tests are being carried out to determine their safety. It will increase the importation of unsafe farm-raised seafood from places like Vietnam. And it will fail to raise labor and environmental standards in other countries. To make matters worse, the TPP will undermine the growing national movement toward a more sustainable local food system. Things like Jersey Fresh labels and farm-toschool programs are being targeted for elimination by this disastrous trade agreement. But it doesn’t stop there.

Recently a bill was introduced in Congress that would “Fast Track” the Trans-Pacific Partnership; this move would limit debate on the trade agreement and prevent Congress from amending it in any way. This would cancel Congress’ ability to enact a better trade deal that could help strengthen our local food systems and protect farmers and the environment.

Members of Congress are receiving a tremendous amount of pressure from corporate lobbyists – and shamefully, even the White House – to support the Fast Track measure. Without a strong show of public opposition, we will not be able to stop the Fast Track vote from moving forward. We need your help.

You can take action today to help stop the Trans Pacific Partnership and Fast Track by:

Texting TRADE to 69866 to sign the Food & Water Watch petition opposing the TPP and Fast Track. Call your member of Congress at 877- 852-4710 and tell them to VOTE NO on Fast Tracking the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Safe, healthy and sustainable food is not the only thing on the line with the Trans – Pacific Partnership. You can learn more about the impacts of this dangerous trade agreement by visiting: FoodandWaterWatch.org. If you have an hour or two a week that you can give to help our fight for consumer health and safety, sign-up to volunteer at: bit.ly/VolunteerWithFWW.