‘Brexit and UK trade – where next?’
On Wednesday 7th September, over twenty people came to hear Mark Dearn, War on Want’s Senior Trade campaigner, talk to the Global Justice Reading group on ‘Brexit and UK trade – where next?’
Mark said, “CETA is a ‘new generation’ trade deal similar to the controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Much like TTIP, CETA seeks to eradicate social, health and environmental protections which may harm corporate profits, lock-in the privatisation of public services and introduce an ‘corporate court’ system so corporations can sue governments for lost profits. Our recent report on Food and CETA shows we cannot let our food safety rules, or the livelihoods of European farmers, be traded away for the sake of Canadian agribusiness profits. It is critical that the European Parliament stops this deal, which is opposed by more than 3.4 million people across Europe.
Neither Reading residents and businesses, nor their environment, will benefit from these toxic trade deals. And Brexit does not mean we are not at risk, as this deal, if agreed, will still apply in the UK for 20 years even when we leave the EU.
If we value parliamentary sovereignty, our legal system, public services or democratically made rules to protect society and the environment, we should tell our MEPs and MPs that they must stop this toxic trade deal, before it’s too late. Our message to leaders who oppose TTIP: if your opposition to this deal is genuine, then listen to your electorates, your trade unions and civil society groups, and oppose CETA too.” We will have a chance at Reading Town Meal, 1st October
