Brussels, 16/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - At a plenary debate with Commissioner Karel De Gucht in Strasbourg on Tuesday 15 July, MEPs from all political groups of the European Parliament demanded greater transparency in the trade negotiations (TTIP) between the EU and the United States.
The MEPs from the large political groups acknowledged the potential benefits of the TTIP for growth and employment, but many MEPs expressed concern at the risks of lowering European social, environmental and health standards. Furthermore, the inclusion of an investor/state dispute settlement mechanism (ISDS) raised concerns from most of the assembly.
German EPP member Daniel Caspary highlighted the major possibilities opened up by the TTIP for citizens, consumers and businesses. “It will get rid of customs duties on cars, shoes and clothes, and will not reduce workers' rights or erode consumer protection standards”, he explained. However, Tokia Saïfi and Franck Proust of the French delegation of the EPP reiterated the group's “red lines”, particularly in the agri-food domain. As for the ISDS, it must not allow a multinational to challenge public policies in the fields of social, environmental or health affairs, Saïfi warned. “Until these conditions are guaranteed, we have to question keeping this mechanism in the discussions”, she added. Proust asked De Gucht to prove that he is not going beyond his negotiation mandate. “Transparency would allow us to put an end to the rumours which inform the debates at the Parliament and among the citizens”, he stressed, calling for a careful eye to be kept on questions relating to market access, financial services and sectoral regulatory convergence.
On behalf of the S&D, David Martin of the UK also acknowledged the opportunities opened up by the TTIP, including access to the American market for services, public procurement and the recognition of technical standards. “The TTIP could be the EU's last chance to set the standards at international level, or risk having to abide by the standards laid down by the emerging countries, China Brazil and India”, he also stressed. On the other hand, the S&D will not allow hormone beef or GMOs to enter the European market, or accept any ISDS clause which hands the power over to companies, Martin warned, adding that his group would vote for the TTIP if it felt that it was in the interests of the citizens of the EU.
For the ECR, British member Emma McClarkin stressed the benefits for the citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, in terms of choice of products, better standards and lower prices. However, McClarkin highlighted the importance of a fair situation for European companies.
“We have almost forgotten that there will also be opportunities which are not controversial, such as public procurement”, said Dutch member Marietje Schaake of the ALDE, arguing for an end to “explicit and implicit protectionism” on the American market in this field.
On behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Germany's Helmut Scholz called for a halt to the negotiations, stressing his group's opposition to the TTIP on all of its aspects - economic, social, environmental and cultural - and its impact on agriculture. “Your public consultation on the ISDS got more than 115,000 responses. The citizens do not want this mechanism. I implore you to take seriously the concerns expressed by huge swathes of civil society (…). Do you really think that small producers and consumers want a greater liberalisation of agricultural products? I can assure you that they don't”, Scholz told De Gucht. “In the view of our citizens, the US is capable of spying on us and stealing data, there is no confidence in these negotiators. Until the Americans are ready to commit to protect the data of European citizens and economic operators and respect us, there is no possible basis for an agreement”, he stressed.
For his part, Yannick Jadot of France reaffirmed the hostility of the Greens/EFA to the TTIP. “What is being negotiated here is how we deal with environmental protection, health, social issues, public services, intellectual property, agriculture and foodstuffs. These key elements are being negotiated behind closed doors to water down the European project in a huge transatlantic market”, he lamented.
Italy's Tiziana Beghin also expressed the EFDD's hostility towards the TTIP. “It's not just about customs duty. It's an instrument to eliminate obstacles to free trade, such as the rights our workers have fought long and hard for, environmental rules to limit pollution and provisions on food safety which protect us from bovine hormones, GMO and dangerous chemicals”, she stressed.
“None of this inspires confidence”, said Italian non-attached MEP Matteo Salvini. “The Americans are far cleverer than us. They protect themselves, whilst Brussels isn't even capable of protecting what we produce in Europe”, he concluded. (EH)