A raw deal for Africa29 October 2008
New European trade deals pose a serious threat to Africas forests, biodiversity and livelihoods.
In Undercutting Africa, a new report by Friends of the Earth, the impacts of these unfair trade deals are exposed.
Ongoing saga of trade deals
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are the deals currently being negotiated between the EU and 76 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific.
The EU had set a deadline of January 2008 for the deals to be completed.
But they are so controversial that many countries are still refusing to sign up.
Undercutting Africa
EPAs will lock countries' economies into a model based on the exploitation and export of their natural resources.
They will threaten the ability of African governments to protect the environment and achieve sustainable development.
EPAs could also cause African governments to:
-
Lift restrictions
on exports of raw materials -
Hand rights to EU businesses
to exploit their natural resources. -
Undermine small-scale businesses
like some farmers and industries.
A better approach to EU trade
Europe's trade policies put big business before the interests of people and the environment.
Friends of the Earth is calling for the negotiations on EPAs and other trade deals under Global Europe to be stopped.
We are working to support a growing international campaign for a full review of the EU's trade strategy.
We are asking for a new approach which places sustainable development for the poor and their environment as top priority.
A big opportunity
There is now a new Trade Commissioner, and the rest of the European Commission is due to be replaced in 2009.
This gives us a big opportunity for a fresh approach.
The campaign to make them scrap current policies must begin now - we can take this opportunity to turn European trade around.
Press for change
Change the way Europe trades
Tell the EU President to make trade work for people and planet
Resource
Undercutting Africa
(PDF† 1.3Mb) Oct 2008
This report shows how Economic Partnership Agreements threaten forests and biodiversity in Africa, and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
© Africa Trade Network
