Brussels, 22/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - In response to publication of the US agriculture department's report on the potential respective benefits to the two parties if agreement is reached on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), MEP Marc Tarabella (S&D, Belgium) has called for a “pure and simple halt to the negotiations with the United States” (see EUROPE 11457 for the Momagri response).
“I don't want to see European agriculture destroyed, followed by European food security and livelihoods”, said Tarabella in a press release. He suggests that the agricultural chapter is perhaps the adjustment variable for the other chapters of the TTIP negotiations. “That would be making fools of European farmers and consumers.” According to a first scenario considered (removal of customs duties, the American authorities estimate that the US stands to gain $5.5 billion, compared with only $800 million for the EU. “In other terms, American gains would be seven times higher than those of the EU.” In the second scenario examined, if non-tariff measures were also removed, the United States' jackpot would be even greater: close to $10 billion, compared with barely $2 billion that the EU would look to gain. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)