Aberavon’s MEP Derek Vaughan has urged local people to get involved in the campaign against a controversial trade agreement currently being negotiated between America and the European Union.
Aberavon MEP Derek Vaughan opposes the transatlantic trade agreement, TTIP
A national day of action against the transatlantic trade agreement, known as TTIP, will take place on 22 August, and Welsh MEPs have been urging the public to take a tough stance against the deal they say is being negotiated behind closed doors.
Labour’s Derek Vaughan, a former Aberavon MP, is one of a number of MEP’s arguing against the proposed agreement between the US and EU, which would see companies gaining the right to sue governments if decisions affected their trade. He argued against the agreement insisting, “that public services including health services are excluded from any trade agreement.” The threat of TTIP to public services such as the NHS is a major cause for concern, he said.
The view is echoed in other parties. Plaid Cymru MEP, Jill Evans, stated, “we can see the damaging impact TTIP would have on Wales in many different ways. Public services would be under threat of privatisation.” The agreement will grant foreign corporations market access to state owned monopolies such as the NHS, allowing it to come under threat, and undermining the democracy of Wales.
The secrecy of the deal is also something that concerned local MEP’s. The lack of transparency in negotiations caused Jill Evans to state, “It is unacceptable that the talks are secret and that only certain documents can be seen by certain people.” She added, “People must be made aware of all implications of the negotiations in order to ensure democracy and transparency are upheld.”
While Jill Evans calls for an end to secrecy, Labour MEP, Derek Vaughan, suggests citizens should lobby the UK government. He said, “I would urge citizens to lobby the UK Government to ensure they argue to protect services and standards in any trade agreement.”