Brussels, 17/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 13 May, the European Commission published a draft interim report for public consultation. The report was drafted by the independent consultant Ecorys, and focuses on the impact on sustainable development of the future transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement (TTIP).
The technical report is 400-pages long and is the result of work conducted by Ecorys in a process involving wide consultation with more than 500 stakeholders. It highlights the opportunities that TTIP could create for people and businesses across Europe, the Commission states.
The report shows that TTIP will generate growth for all EU member states, with exports to the US increasing by 27%. Furthermore, a mix of social indicators shows a combined benefit both for European and US citizens. The report goes beyond the numbers to look in detail at the social and environmental impact that TTIP could have.
“This report, being a draft version to now be scrutinised, should be taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, the report does highlight the many opportunities TTIP presents for the EU. I believe, though, that one particular thing cannot be scientifically captured in any study, however - the impact of TTIP on Europe's ability to shape globalisation to our own standards. Modern trade agreements are one of the tools at our disposal to shape globalisation, making it more responsible. With this in mind, both TTIP as well as our trade agreement with Canada (CETA) aim to include progressive chapters on sustainable development, including on labour rights and the environment”, European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström commented in a blogpost.
Stakeholders now have the opportunity to review the draft and offer feedback before Ecorys publishes its final report and recommendations before the end of the year. A dialogue between civil society and the authors of the report will take place under the auspices of the Commission on 30 May.
BEUC says TTIP will lead to higher prices. The European consumer association, BEUC, deplores the fact that the Ecorys impact study show that TTIP would lead to average prices increases of 0.3%, whereas household income would increase between 0.2 and 0.4%. “It is disappointing that TTIP is likely to result in price increases for consumers. This is not what consumers were told when negotiations kicked off three years ago. Cheaper products were supposed to be the number one consumer benefit of a future trade pact with the US but that claim is now in jeopardy”, BEUC regrets.
The draft report is available at: http://goo.gl/nHWGI3 . (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)