New trade deals, new danger
This year Portugal takes centre stage in Europe as it takes on the EU Presidency until December. It is a great chance to remind Portuguese Prime Minister, Jose Socrates, why he needs to change free trade deals between Europe and some of the world's poorest countries. They need a radical rewrite before it's too late - so they benefit, not harm poor people.
What are EPAs?
The deals are called Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and we have to act fast. EPAs will force poor farmers and vulnerable producers into direct competition with rich countries.
The EU is putting the finishing touches to these unfair trade deals with 75 former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. We want EPAs that don't force poor countries to open up their economies.
Our research and the experience of our partners indicate that, in their present form, these deals will be disastrous for poor countries. In 2005, the UK government said it won't force free trade on poor countries when negotiating trade deals - but that's exactly what EPAs do. The EU is effectively taking a crowbar to poor countries' economices, forcing them to open up to EU companies.
The EU is putting the finishing touches to these unfair trade deals with 75 former colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. We want EPAs that don't force poor countries to open up their economies.
Our research and the experience of our partners indicate that, in their present form, these deals will be disastrous for poor countries. In 2005, the UK government said it won't force free trade on poor countries when negotiating trade deals - but that's exactly what EPAs do. The EU is effectively taking a crowbar to poor countries' economices, forcing them to open up to EU companies.
EU crowbar
Poor countries have serious concerns about the deals, but the EU is not listening. Issues rejected by poor countries at the World Trade Organisation are being forced on them in these deals. But with a December deadline to agree the deals approaching, the EU is putting pressure on the 75 poor countries to accept their approach.
Campaign success
Last year, the UK's ministers for trade and international development (Ian McCartney and Gareth Thomas) raised serious concerns about the EU's position on EPAs with Peter Mandelson, EU Commissioner for Trade.
Earlier this year, thousands of Christian Aid campaigners wrote to the trade and development ministers asking them to put pressure on the EU to change its stance. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 campaigners inundated the Finnish government with postcards last year. Read our response
However, we need to keep up the pressure!
Earlier this year, thousands of Christian Aid campaigners wrote to the trade and development ministers asking them to put pressure on the EU to change its stance. Meanwhile, more than 10,000 campaigners inundated the Finnish government with postcards last year. Read our response
However, we need to keep up the pressure!
What you can do
 |
|
|
Terms & Conditions © Christian Aid 2007
