EU Commission cannot ignore TTIP opposition
Press release from EFA MEP Jill Evans
Commenting on today's European Commission publication of its consultation findings on the inclusion of ISDS (Investor State Dispute Settlement) in the TTIP transatlantic trade agreement, Plaid MEP Jill Evans said:
"The European Commission cannot bury its head in the sand and ignore the massive public opposition to this settlement mechanism, which would threaten our public services and standards and regulation on food safety and the environment, for example.
"They should not undertake a consultation if they are not prepared to listen to the response. There is very clear public opposition to ISDS and it should not form a part of EU trade policy. It is certainly not in Wales's interests.
"Plaid Cymru will continue to oppose TTIP as it stands and engage with the network of concerned stakeholders in Wales to address their concerns and keep up the pressure on the Commission to address opposition to ISDS."
ISDS is a secretive arbitration process whereby multinational companies can sue democratically elected governments if they feel government decisions will affect their profits or even potential profits.
Plaid Cymru strongly opposes this, as it could lead to privatisation of our public services by the back door.
The European Commission suspended the TTIP talks on the Investor State Dispute Settlement last January to carry out this public consultation.
