GUE/NGL MEPS call on parliament to reject current form of EU's negotiating mandate

In a plenary debate yesterday on what form the EU's negotiating mandate will take in the negotiations for a transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US, GUE/NGL MEPs voiced their concerns.

GUE/NGL MEP Helmut Scholz, shadow rapporteur on the dossier for the Group, commented: "European people are concerned about the implications for genetic engineering in agriculture, sale of data privacy, a new ACTA attempt, threats to cultural diversity in Europe, reduction of protection for consumers and workers, exposure to financial speculation, to name just a few.

"If the Commission and the majority in Parliament ignore these concerns at today's vote, it shows that the lessons from ACTA have not been learned. If this agreement does not serve the interests of the people and will not advance social and environmental progress, the GUE/NGL will be firmly opposed to it." 

GUE/NGL MEP Paul Murphy said: "The leaked draft mandate illustrates the real agenda behind the EU US negotiations – it is one shaped by the interests of big business rather than working people on either side of the Atlantic. That is why I am opposed to the opening of the negotiations and opposed to a possible agreement for a free trade area.