05 February 2009 - The Green MEP for the South East has criticised the European Parliament after it refused to support a more socially and environmentally responsible approach to trade in a vote in Strasbourg earlier today.

By adopting the Schröder report (1) on the development impact of its controversial Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the Parliament sidelined an alternative resolution – co-signed by Greens – which would have established a fairer and more sustainable stance on trade between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

Dr Lucas MEP is a member of the European Parliament’s International Trade committee and was also awarded ‘MEP of the Year 2008’ for her work on trade by Parliament magazine. Commenting on today’s vote, she said:

"I am disappointed that a Conservative-Liberal majority in the European Parliament has today succeeded in reinforcing unfair economic partnership agreements. Trade should offer a good deal for all, but EPAs have today been given free rein to continue a shameful EU tradition of social and environmental exploitation in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

"In 2000, the EU promised to examine all alternatives to EPAs for countries unable to enter into such agreements, and to consider socio-economic effects and the partner country’s level of development (2).

"However, it has ignored its own commitments and the concerns of ACP governments, NGOs, and churches by persisting with its bullying and divisive tactics, pressing for free trade bilateral deals with individual countries instead of systematically striking cohesive deals for wider regions (3)."

Dr Lucas MEP stated: "If these EPAs are as beneficial as some claim, why does the EU need to apply so much pressure for developing countries to sign?

"The Greens had called for the Parliament to delay its vote on assent to allow democratic debate in African, Caribbean and Pacific parliaments. But Conservative and Liberal MEPs have imposed their vision of free trade that too often divests the EU of responsibility for socially and environmentally sustainable development."

She concluded: "Unfettered trade might bring profits to global corporations, but the benefits simply do not trickle down to the people who need them most. If the European Union were serious about social and environmental standards, it would uphold these values beyond its backyard. Today, we have seen that the EU talks development, but votes big business."

ENDS

Notes to editors

(1) 340 votes in favour, 225 against

(2) Articles 37.6 and 37.7 of the EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement, signed in Benin in 2000.

(3) A regional agreement currently exists only for the Caribbean (CARIFORUM)