COAG augurs very negative effects on its new studies impacts of TTIP
The Coordinator of Organizations of Farmers and Ranchers (COAG) has presented its study on the impact that could have the TTIP in the Spanish agricultural sector. This has been prepared at the request of Friends of the Earth and presented in an organized event with VSF Global Food Justice, Platform not TTIP, Rural Platform and Engineering Without Borders Galicia.
By Marta Fernandez
The main conclusion of the study is that if the transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) goes ahead, very negative impacts for the agricultural sectors of the European Union, especially for the production of beef, pork and dairy are expected. In fact, in 2014 the European Parliament warned of the danger of disappearance of suckler cows industry if the Treaty was signed.
If the deal goes ahead, very negative impacts for Community agriculture sectors are expected, especially for livestock
As for the producers of arable crops, the impacts remain uncertain, although it is estimated that grain exports from the US to the EU would increase by 122%, causing a decline in agricultural value added of cereals in the EU, in Spain it could reach 6.4%, one of the largest, since it would remain in deficit.
While the effects are unknown in poultry production, although tariff elimination on these products allow US producers to sell cheaper than the Europeans.
The increased export opportunities created by the TTIP not necessarily translate into higher revenues
In this sense, the models predict that the TTIP increase imports of food and agricultural products from the US. And, unlike previous agreements, negotiations now include a variety of non-trade issues as are the regulations on food safety, the use of antibiotics and hormones in meat production, chemical washes for meat products, the use production of pesticides and GMOs.
Time of presentation of the study.
Issues that directly affect consumers, farmers and the environment, and which makes a significant difference in production costs. However, not taken into account the administrative obstacles to European exporters of fruits and vegetables when trying to enter the US market face.
Blanca Ruibal, responsible for agriculture and food of Friends of the Earth, said that “the TTIP will bolster the industrial agricultural model, harmful to the environment and health of people. In a context of climate change and scarcity of natural resources it is urgent to promote a local and family agriculture, protect water, soil and biodiversity, produce healthy food and keep living countryside“.
Unlike previous agreements, current negotiations include a variety of non-trade issues
Miguel Blanco, Secretary General of Coag, has stressed that reducing tariffs and quotas is “the final nail to the principle of Community Preference”, to which he added that “the dismantling of tariffs would increase the price drop, with Spain and Italy the most affected countries”. By sector, the worst part would take the livestock. In fact, in the report, it is stated that, in a context of eliminating tariff and nontariff barriers, US imports could soar one 33,505% in poultry, a 3,983% in pigmeat, a 966% in meat beef, 901% in milk powder and 988% in cheese.
The study also questions the value assigned by the European Commission to Geographical Indications, since the benefits could be directed only to export-oriented producers
On the other hand, the conditions of traceability, food safety and handling at slaughter in the US differ greatly from those required in the EU, which require the use of strong meat disinfectants, banned in Europe, to prevent further cases of poisoning bacteria. Specifically, this report points to a ratio of 82.5 cases per 100.000 people in the US, testimonial against 1.5 per 100,000 in Europe. Verotoxigenic E. coli poisoning usually occurs through consumption of ground beef contaminated by the toxin produced by the bacteria.
Currently, negotiations on the TTIP seem to be on ‘stand by’ waiting for the decision that the Commission take on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), ie, the free trade agreement with Canada that only has the opposition of Belgium. In the words of Miguel Blanco, “the TTIP has stopped to gain momentum and put the CETA ahead which will be the Trojan Horse”.
