THE TRANSATLANTIC TRADE Investment Partnership (TTIP), is a bilateral trade agreement being negotiated between the EU and the US with the aim of reducing barriers to trade. Many of the things we value and that protect us can be classed as barriers to trade. Public services, environmental safeguards, workers’ rights, generic drugs, food safety, agri-food production, animal protection and data protection are all on the TTIP negotiation table.
A crucial vote on TTIP was due to take place this week in the European Parliament but at the last minute was called off. Not only was the vote cancelled, the Parliament then decided to suspend its debate on the topic. This prompted angry scenes in Strasbourg and exposed the rising levels of discontent and division among MEPs.
A victory for those working to stop this deal
The cancellation of the vote was seen as a victory for the thousands of people working to stop this dangerous trade deal. MEPs were put under tremendous pressure from their constituents and civil society right across the EU.
This week alone 24,500 emails were sent to Irish MEPs by their constituents from across the country. Uplift member and small business owner Barry O’ Driscoll was one of the people who contacted his MEPs about TTIP. “I’m worried about what kind of country my kids will inherit if TTIP is allowed to go ahead. We are waking up to the dangers TTIP poses to our environment, our food, our services, our rights. We can’t let irresponsible politicians trade away our democracy”.
Right across Europe people are coming together to oppose TTIP. Earlier this week, the European Citizens Initiative Against TTIP reached its target of two million signatures. From artists to chefs, workers to business people, the opposition to TTIP is spreading and politicians are feeling the heat.
MEP Brian Hayes was critical of the ‘loose comments’ of ‘left wing campaigners’. While MEP Lynn Boylan said “it is very encouraging to see the effect that strong citizen voices can have on the European agenda. The thousands of citizens protesting, emailing and petitioning their politicians have certainly made an impact’.
Secret arbitration courts that allow corporations to sue public bodies
One source of widespread public consternation is the inclusion of an Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism. ISDS are secret arbitration courts that allow corporations to sue public bodies and governments if their profit margins are interfered with. As one of the most contentious aspects of the deal, it has become a red line for many MEPs who would have voted against its inclusion if the vote on Wednesday had gone ahead.
If the inclusion of secret arbitration courts remains in TTIP, private corporations could end up having more influence than elected governments over wage setting mechanisms, what we grow and eat, how we use our natural resources, set taxes and much more. Essentially social policy takes second place to big business. Veolia, one of the companies installing water meters across Ireland, recently challenged the Egyptian government for attempting to increase the minimum wage. The Egyptian government has now reversed their decision to proceed. Veolia used the ISDS mechanism.
Secret negotiations
The secrecy of the negotiation process has also come under fire from both sides of the Atlantic. In the US Senator Elizabeth Warren said. “I actually have had supporters of the deal say to me ‘they have to be secret, because if the American people knew what was actually in them, they would be opposed.’ The EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly also criticised the secrecy and lack of information available to the public and made several recommendations for greater transparency.
The big lesson for politicians this week is that they need to stop listening to the business lobbyists and corporate power and instead listen to their constituents, who they represent. Thousands of people have joined the fight against TTIP and the Uplift community will continue to campaign to ensure Irish politicians are forced to listen and act on the interests of people not corporate power. The postponement of the vote and the cancellation of the debate have exposed deep cracks and will only make public opposition to TTIP and ISDS clearer and more influential.
Anne Marie is a campaigner with Uplift. Uplift is a new campaigning organisation that enables people to take action online and offline for a more just, equal and sustainable Ireland. Since launching 6 months ago over 10,000 people have joined Uplift. More information at www.uplift.ie
An earlier version of this article included a quote Euractiv incorrectly attributed to MEP Seán Kelly. It has since been removed.
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