The United States and the European Union are negotiating a huge free trade agreement that has the potential to lower food safety and environmental standards, according to Greenpeace which has blown the whistle on these negotiations.
In negotiations over the would-be Transantlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), it appears that the US has sought to weaken European standards that prevent potentially dangerous products from being marketed when their effect is not yet known. Weakening food standards is always dangerous, and could result in contaminated meat, produce, or beverages being sold in grocery stores and restaurants.
Please join me in asking the United States Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman to ensure that the provisions of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership do not compromise environmental regulations or food safety standards either in the US or in Europe.
Dear Michael Froman:
It is shocking to read that the United States and Europe are negotiating a trade deal of which the public knows very little. At the very least, deals like this should be discussed in the full light of day and the public should be invited to comment. So far, it looks like the TTIP endangers food safety and environmental standards. Specifically, documents released by Greenpeace suggest that you are pressuring Europe to lower food safety regulations. Europe's precautionary principle is in place to protect consumers from eating contaminated food. Under no circumstances should this principle be compromised or replaced with a weaker protection. Please ensure that the provisions of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership do not compromise environmental regulations or food safety standards either in the US or in Europe.
