TTIP Agreement - don't yawn, it's important!

That sounds scary, Eloethan. Why should the system not change to the precautionary principle?
I have often wondered about drugs and the number of side effects listed. It often sounds as though we are being used to test. But the GPs no longer fill in the yellow cards as too many people get those side effects.
Is that not what happened with thalidomide?

I've just seen it and filled it in.

My husband and I went to a meeting this evening at the NUT headquarters near King's Cross about the TTIP Agreement. We both wanted to be a bit better informed about it, and there were some very knowledgeable speakers, including John Hilary of War on Want, a German economist and writer and an American environmentalist.

From leaked information from the secretive talks (the documentation for which will apparently be prevented from being accessed for the next 30 years) and from the example of similar past and present agreements, it appears that TTIP is merely a way for corporations to roll back regulation and to gain access to public services. Regulatory measures will be "harmonised" with the US. European regulations are based on the "precautionary principle" whereby a chemical, drug, etc., has to be proved to be harmless. American regulations are based on the "scientific principle" where everything is deemed harmless unless there is proof it is dangerous.

Apparently there were so many 38degrees members who filled in the TTIP form last week that the system crashed - or so the powers that be say.
If you haven't heard from 38 degrees and you filled it in, there are only two days to do it again.
Please do.

weownit.org.uk/blog/hands-our-public-services-say-no-ttip

There is a march next weekend about the TTIP, but you can also have your say directly to the EU if you use the link on this link before 6th July.
Not much notice but I've only just seen it.

By the way, the NHA party was on the march against austerity, Eloethan.

Thanks durhamjen.

Anyone in London, there's a march on 12th July.
nhap.us7.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=937c3e62bc24fa37708920cc9&id=4e9a853946&e=716bee6853

Signed.

This is important.
On Tuesday the government is going to vote on whether to allow Syngenta to use insecticides which have been banned Europewide.

If the TTIP goes through, Syngenta will be able to sue the government of any EU country for affecting its profits. Governments will have no choice but to let Syngenta kill off bees.

Think about it, and sign this petition.
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/74c0444f/2d420d21/4ac69965/465b7b58/2725735509/VEsD/

opendemocracy.net/ournhs/martin-obeirne/nurses-fight-back-against-trade-treaty-that-threatens-nhs

One ray of sunshine. Have to look for more.

Think we'll have to mention this on the NHS thread, Eloethan. On the other hand, it will probably kill that one as well.

One of the MPs who asked questions was my MP. Obviously I am not the only one in North Durham who has written to her.
I do not understand how Cameron thinks it's okay to write to them about this. He should be questioned on it every PMQ until he gives a decent answer about the NHS. Of course, we know what he really thinks, we should leave it be until it all goes through and the private companies can then take the next government to court for affecting their profits. It won't be his government, but it will be worse than the PFI contracts.

It's worrying isn't it that very few people seem to be aware of the TTIP talks being held. I suppose it's hardly surprising since it's received almost no coverage in the media.
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David Cameron's complacent, and sometimes flippant, responses to those MPs who are very concerned about the secrecy of talks which have such far-reaching and dangerous implications, are not at all reassuring.

This is how the government is going to get away with it. Nobody's interested.

Sorry, attempt.

nhap.org/cameron-makes-light-of-ttip/

From PMQs. Another attepmt to pat us on the head and tell us to go away.

Eloethan, they gained more MEPs this time, I think, in the UK.
If parliament ends up split three ways, the Green party could hold the balance. I think that's possibly wishful thinking, but as I said earlier it's the TTIP that's important. It seems that there are only a few of us that are bothered on this forum.
Just watching the news, and there is now a North East Party for the next election.

Bump

I would prefer to vote Green - and may well do so - but the problem is that with our voting system it's unlikely that such a vote will count. I agree that Labour is very lack lustre and seems like a pale imitation of the Tory party now.

What annoys me is that the Labour Party are saying they will keep an eye on it with regard to the NHS. That's really worked so far, hasn't it?
The best way to ensure we still have an NHS next year is to vote Green or the NHA. All the other parties like the TTIP.

Thanks durhamjen.

For people who don't think this issue concerns them, here is just one small extract from the link provided, which demonstrates the sorts of powers that multinationals are trying to strengthen:

"............ Canada was forced to revoke its ban on the toxic fuel ad"ditive MMT under challenge from the US company Ethyl. The US tobacco giant Philip Morris is suing the Australian government for billions of dollars over its public health policy that all cigarettes must now be sold in plain packaging........" (I wonder if this is one of the reasons why the British government is now backtracking on its proposal to introduce plain packaging for cigarettes).

Governments will either have to risk being hit with huge legal costs to fight these sorts of claims or let multinationals do what the hell they like.

A long time since this has been mentioned. It is still being discussed in secret.
nblo.gs/XCwVj

Do you think there are a lot of people on GN who cannot be bothered to find out about the TTIP, when?
They'll regret it when their taxes double to pay for it.

Bump again

And if we were a little isolated nation, well,* barrel, over it, for good*, comes to mind in any negotiations of this kind.