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TTIP talks: What’s cooking?
- Perspectives on Food & Farming
Monique Pariat
(Deputy Director-General European
Commission Directorate General Agriculture and
Rural Development - DG AGRI)
thanked the panel for
their input. First of all, all of the concerns raised are
legitimate. Too much food is wasted, and we eat too
much with at least 1/3 of the people being overweight
or obese on both sides of the Atlantic. There are high
standards on both sides of the Atlantic and in the
European model of agriculture- a model based on
small farms, should be preserved. These concerns
are being taken into account in the current negotia-
tions. However the concerns expressed today, go
far beyond the current trade negotiations, and also
relate more generally to changing global economies
and globalisation. Monique Pariat stressed that the
reality is that we live in a globalised world and Euro-
pean citizens have taken that choice through their
democratic choice.
Currently the US is our main export trade partner and
main trade partner overall. In the food drink sector
it is mainly for processed goods such as wine and
liquors produced with European grapes and grains.
It is important to see where increase in demand will
come from. Increase in global demand – demand will
come from exports. So why do we need an agree-
ment when exports are still high?
For a series of products, the US can export more. For
example in the dairy sector, there are still high tariff
barriers on the American market.
Geographical Indications (GI) are a priority for EU
agricultural products and to ensure that they are
protected. GIs are good for small and medium size
producers. GIs guarantee that these products are
protected and it is important that GIs are not “edged
out” of the American market.
It is the goal of TTIP to increase jobs. Several socio-
economic studies show that certain sectors are more
at risk than others. In the deal, the US has placed
emphasis to open all markets and eliminate tariffs
for example meat, sugar and rice. It is not the inten-
tion of the EU to remove all tariffs; it will still protect
sensitive sectors and agree on specific measures and
quotas.
...
Proceedings of the Conference
TTIP: Socioeconomic Impact on Food and Farming
In conclusion,
Monique Pariat
stressed
that
the agreement will ultimately be
decided by citizens through their elected
officials in the council and the European
Parliament, and if it is not up to expec-
tations, can be rejected.
The European
Commission is making efforts to attain
the best results and to achieve the high-
est level of transparency.
At the end the day it will be
you who decides
what hap-
pens to this agreement and
if the deal isn’t up to scratch
then you can reject it.”
Monique Pariat ,
European Commission