Greenpeace TPP Leak & Secrecy: Scandal or Business as Usual?

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Greenpeace TPP Leak & Secrecy: Scandal or Business as Usual?

May 3rd, 2016

Awake Goy

tpp.greenpeace.leak.us.eu_occupycorporatism Susanne Posel ,Chief Editor Occupy Corporatism | Media Spokesperson, HEALTH MAX Brands

A Trans-Pacific Partnership leak has been circulated in the media via Greenpeace in the Netherlands concerning, among other things, the US and EU talks which took place in New York and concern the creation of “a court-like system for disputes” for the EU.

The US suggested that the EU “inform its industries of any planned regulations in advance, and to allow them the same input into EU regulatory processes as European firms”; as well as proposed that pesticides and food safety be under the thumb of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Codex Alimentarius.

In addition the European Commission would like to see “safeguard environmental laws, defend international standards and protect the EU’s right to set high green benchmarks in future.”

For now the EU “has not… accepted the US demands”. In regard to the leak, the European Commission said that these documents “reflect negotiating positions” and not the “final outcome”.

In respect to the assumptions made by Greenpeace, the chief negotiator for the EU said the non-governmental organization (NGO) is “flatly wrong”.

The 248 page leak of “consolidated texts” found in Chapter 13 was given to the general public to “ignite a debate”. Juergen Knirsch, trade expert for Greenpeace said that “the documents show the negotiations should be halted.

Daniel Mittler, political director for Greenpeace International said that the leak highlights how the TPP “puts large corporations, corporate power at the center of policy making. It is not a treaty that is designed to help small business or, indeed, people and the public good.”

Greenpeace also maintains that this leak exposes disagreements between the US and the EU have become “entrenched”. However, Knirsch said the leak demonstrates how the US is actively trying to replace Europe’s “precautionary principle” which would allow harmful products to go to market.

Dan Mullaney, assistant US trade representative for Europe and the Middle East explained : “The United States has no interest in a ‘TTIP Lite.’ We believe there remains sufficient time to complete an ambitious, comprehensive and high-standard TTIP agreement this year if we continue our intensive engagement, and we mobilize the necessary political will, effort and determination on both sides.”