 |
|
Press Release
|
|
|
Press Release
|
|
EU/WTO: Negotiations to impact badly on the environment The studies, which assess the impacts of multilateral trade negotiations underway in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), have found that the environment will be the main loser from liberalisation. According to the studies' findings, c limate change will be a major result of liberalisation due to the increase in transport and greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiversity loss will also be a bi-product of liberalisation, due to pressures for increased agricultural production in biologically sensitive areas, increased pesticide use, land conversion and deforestation [2]. The studies reveal the following key findings: Forests : The liberalisation of forests will result in loss of forestland, soil erosion and illegal loggingpractices. In developing countries liberalisation will cause agriculture and forest sectors to compete for land, resulting in social conflict and displacement of indigenous peoples [3]. Distribution Services : Environmental impacts will result from increase in consumption, waste disposal and transport, such as road construction, rail, maritime and air transport which will increase urban air pollution, noise, traffic congestion. [4]. Agriculture : The liberalisation of the agricultural sector will increase stress on natural resources, and increased agricultural production will result in more land use, intensification of agro-chemical use, encourage deforestation and pollution emission [5]. The studies conclude that actions need to be taken by governments to strengthen environmental and health regulation, forest governance mechanisms and regulatory capacity as well as to "control the pace of liberalisation" [6]. The studies also identify a number of negative social and developmental impacts of liberalisation. Kim Bizzarri of Friends of the Earth Europe commented: "The European Commission's studies illustrate that the environment will be the main loser from liberalisation. The European Commission cannot ignore the findings of its very own analysis. Time has come for the EU to change it's out-of-date trade mandate. The EU must pay respect to its commitment towards environmental protection."
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: NOTES TO EDITORS: [1] Since 1999 the European Commission's Directorate General for External Trade has been funding Sustainability Impact Assessments through an independent research team at the University of Manchester, UK. [2] IARC, Overall project final report for sector studies, 22 April 2005, p. 3 [3] IARC, Draft Final Report for the Forest Sector Study, 22 April 2005, pp. v-viii, 22-43 [4] IARC, Final Report for the Distribution Service Study, 22 April 2005, pp. 3-9, 38-60 [5] IARC, Final Report for the Agriculture Sector Study, 22 April 2005, pp. 68-69, 133-142 [6] IARC, Overall project final report for sector studies, 22 April 2005, p. 4
Friends of the Earth
Europe campaigns for sustainable and fair societies and for the
protection of the environment, |