Eleven MEPs from the S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and The Left groups signed an op-ed calling on the Commission to take concrete steps towards sustainable trade in the online media outlet Euractiv on Monday 24 January.
Firstly, they regret that the Commission is “dragging its feet” in presenting a proposal on corporate due diligence. This text should address forced labour in the production chains of imported products.
For the eleven signatories, there is an urgent need to address the real inclusion of sustainable development in trade with third countries. They believe that this will require the Commission to present a revised 15-point action plan on this issue.
The text is expected to be published in the spring, but MEPs have repeatedly expressed their impatience with this. They see an urgent need for effective levers to enforce the sustainable development chapters in trade agreements.
This could be achieved through the greater inclusion of domestic advisory groups, which represent civil society in free trade agreements. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)