AUGUSTA – The Citizens Trade Policy Commission is looking for input from Maine citizens and businesses that have been affected by international trade agreements.

A public meeting on the matter is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Husson College Business Center in Bangor.

“It is all too often the case that Maine’s citizens are adversely affected by trade agreements that they had no idea were entered into by our federal government and are outraged when they are told that there is almost nothing the state Legislature can do to make changes to that agreement,” said Rep. John Patrick, D-Rumford, a commission member.

At the public hearing, commissioners will ask attendees to speak out about how international trade agreements in general have affected them; they are particularly interested in receiving comments about the Central America Free Trade Agreement currently being negotiated by United States with a number of Central American countries. CAFTA is scheduled to be signed in March.

“The commission is in a unique position to take the concerns and ideas expressed by Maine’s citizens at these public hearings and when appropriate, seek legislative action or to go directly to the United States trade representative to ensure those concerns and ideas are taken into account when trade agreements are negotiated,” said Sen. Margaret Rotundo, D-Lewiston, a commission member.

Directions to the Husson College Business Center are available on the Internet at www.husson.edu/directions/.

The Citizens Trade Policy Commission was established by the Legislature in May 2004 to assess and monitor the legal and economic effects of trade agreements on state and local laws, working conditions and the business environment; to provide a mechanism for citizens and legislators to voice their concerns and recommendations; and to make policy recommendations designed to protect Maine’s jobs, business environment and laws from any negative impact of trade agreements. The commission consists of 17 voting members representing a broad spectrum of interested parties, and five nonvoting members from five state governmental departments.