A report from a European public health NGO spells out how the new EU-Canada trade treaty could open the door to unhealthy imports and fewer public powers to restrict them.
Reading the small print of international trade treaties isn't everyone's cup of tea, although as Brexit unfolds more of us may have to become trade treaty experts.
Fortunately, in the case of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which was recently agreed between the EU and Canada, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) has done the donkey-work. Drawing on the expertise of its members, it has produced a useful report explaining in detail how CETA has the potential to undermine public health -- including by changing regulations relating to food.
For example, EPHA says the treaty could: open the door for businesses to challenge health laws, limit public health policy choices, lead to lower tariffs on imports of unhealthy foods, and undermine measures to counter antimicrobial resistance.
EPHA is an alliance of public health NGOs, professionals and patient groups. Read The Unhealthy Side-Effects of CETA here, and find out more here about Sustain's campaign work for a healthier and more humane food supply.
Published Friday 9 December 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
