US trade deal alarms Colombian farmers

The Colombian government has promised that a free trade agreement with the United States, which came into effect this week, will create jobs and stimulate the economy.

Under the deal, almost all the products that Colombia exports to its largest trade partner will gradually have duty free access to the United States. Colombian textile, leather, cocoa, tobacco and jewellery producers stand to benefit from the accord.

But thousands of small-scale farmers across the country fear that their jobs and livelihoods are at risk of becoming the prey of large US agribusiness.

Alessandro Rampietti reports from Saldana, Colombia.