L-R: Philip Vander Elst (UKIP), Caroline Lucas (Greens), John Madeley (chair), Sharon Bowles (Liberal Democrats), Janet Keene (Labour)
Two of the South East’s Euro MPs have this week backed campaigners’ calls for Europe to change its policy on trade deals that are bad for developing countries and the environment.
Two of the MEPs for our area, the Greens’ Caroline Lucas the Lib-Dems’ Sharon Bowles have signed a pledge brought to them by Oxford World Development Movement (WDM). The WDM is campaigning with the Trade Justice Movement to stop the EU pushing unfair trade deals with poor countries that will exploit poor people and the environment.
The Green Party’s Caroline Lucas said:
“I have signed the pledge to stop Europe’s unfair trade deals because I believe that Europe should prioritise development, environmental sustainability and human rights in poor countries. If I’m elected I will do everything I can to make sure this happens.”
Caroline Lucas (Greens) signing the trade pledge
Campaigners claim new EU trade deals will stop developing countries from being able to protect local food production and key natural resources like forests from the worst excesses of the market. And the deals could lead to more dumping of European products on developing countries – putting farmers and home grown industries out of business. The Trade Justice Movement is calling on the European Commission to review Europe’s trade strategy and place the interests of the world’s poorest countries ahead of profits for Europe’s biggest companies.
Sharon Bowles, Liberal Democrats, presenting her signed trade pledge
Julieanne Porter from Oxford WDM said:
“It’s very encouraging that these two MEPs have pledged to support our campaign to put an end to unfair trade deals. Europe is trying to negotiate trade deals that will hurt people and the environment in developing countries. It’s vital that this is stopped and that the needs of the poorest people are put first.”
ENDS
Contact: Oxford WDM Press Officer, Jenny Nicholson
07766 676371
jenny.nicholson@live.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Photographs follow in separate email
2. To find out more about the campaign to stop the EU’s unfair trade deals, and see the pledge, go to www.tjm.org.uk
3. The World Development Movement (WDM) tackles the underlying causes of poverty. We lobby decision makers to change the policies that keep people poor. We research and promote positive alternatives. We work alongside people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice.
See: www.wdm.org.uk or the Oxford Group on: http://oxfordwdm.blogspot.com/.
4. Candidates present: Caroline Lucas (Greens), Sharon Bowles (Liberal Democrats), Janet Keene (Labour), Philip Vander Elst (UKIP)
