Pubdate: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Larry Madarang Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines FARMERS OPPOSE RP TRADE PACT WITH CHINA LA TRINIDAD, Benguet: Angry farmers threatened to plant marijuana instead of their regular crops if the Philippine government pushes through with its bilateral trade agreement with China. According to a resolution of the Benguet Farmers Federation, Inc., the bilateral trade agreement will allow the importation of Chinese vegetables into the Philippines, which would put poor local farmers out of business. "If this happens, we might resort to other business in order to survive, such as planting marijuana and will interpret that the national government will now not be the legitimate government of the poor farmers," the resolution said. The federation and the Benguet Provincial Board through separate resolutions have opposed the signing and approval of the trade agreement. Benguet province's economy relies predominantly on agriculture. - ---