Friends of the Earth International Press Release
Auckland, New Zealand 4th February 2016, Today trade ministers from 12 countries party to the giant 'Trans Pacific Partnership' held a symbolic signing of a trade deal which sets the economic and pro corporate rules for 40 percent of the world economy.
Friends of the Earth International warned that the 'Trans Pacific Partnership', or TPP, will threaten people and planet, if ratified.
Sam Cossar-Gilbert, Friends of the Earth International Economic Justice Coordinator, said:
“The TPP signing ceremony is nothing more than a photo opportunity to try and prop up this deeply unpopular and environmentally destructive deal. Trade ministers know that it will be very difficult to ratify the TPP in national parliaments, particularly in the US where all leading presidential candidates oppose it.”
“The thousands of people protesting on the streets of New Zealand today represent the widespread opposition to this corporate trade deal across the pacific. The fight against TPP is growing and we must make sure this 6,000-page injustice never sees the light of day.”
Sam Castro from Friends of the Earth Australia stated:
“TPP includes the controversial Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism that enables foreign corporations to override domestic law and to sue governments for adopting policies that could harm their expected profits. For example it would protect "free trade" in dirty energy products and lead to an increase in coal, oil and gas exports, fueling global warming. It is possible that states and countries could be challenged for banning unconventional gas drilling or take other actions that may 'limit' the access or rights of transnational corporations.”
”The TPP not only undermines our sovereignty but undermines environmental regulations on a vast range of issues including food safety, access to medicine, genetic modification, chemical use and climate change. It’s time for the Australian Government to put the interests of the public before the fossil fuel industry”.
For more information contact
Friends of the Earth Australia, TPP Trade Campaigner contact: Samatha Castro,
samantha.castro [at] foe.org.au 0439 569 289
Friends of the Earth International Economic Justice, Resisting Neoliberalism Coordinator:
Sam Cossar-Gilbert, +33 7 50 91 89 83 (France), sam.cossargilbert [at] foe.org.au
Friends of the Earth US Communications contact:
EA Dyson, +1 202 222 0730, edyson [at] foe.org