EU trade agreement

The European Parliament's trade committee today voted to endorse draft EU free trade agreement with Colombia and Peru (1). The Greens have criticised the agreement and voted against giving consent. After the vote, Green trade spokesperson Ska Keller said:

"Despite serious concerns having been raised about these agreement, the EP's trade committee has simply looked the other way and given the thumbs-up.

"Representatives of civil society and trades unions have raised concerns that the FTA would negatively impact on the development of the two Latin American countries and undermine human rights. These concerns were again clearly raised in front of MEPs in the committee this week, with strong supporting evidence, but sadly the committee has simply ignored this. S&D MEPs were willing to accept a non-binding roadmap on human rights in return for their support, ignoring the fact that the numbers of trade union members being murdered is increasing.

"On top of human rights concerns, the FTA would further expand the export of raw materials (notably ethanol and beef) from Peru and Colombia, without taking into account social and environmental concerns. The provisions on liberalisation in the agreements will also have a negative impact on sustainable development and the fight against poverty. In the middle of a financial crisis, caused in part by lax regulation, it is absurd to insist on the deregulation of the finance sector, as foreseen under the agreement (increasing derivatives and other risky products, with no provisions on stronger oversight or capital controls)."

(1) The EP as a whole will vote on the agreement in its December plenary session in Strasbourg (vote foreseen for 11 December).