The
British National Health Service (NHS) in further danger
“Britain
could be flooded with harmful chemicals currently banned in the
European Union if the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
(TTIP) deal is signed next week, a trade union has warned. The GMB
said chemicals that can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects and
development disorders will be allowed in the EU after the
controversial trade agreement is signed. The union’s top health and
safety officer expressed concern that TTIP would allow a 'downward
harmonization of standards' for chemicals currently banned in the
EU.”
“Proponents
of TTIP say the deal to remove trade barriers between the EU and US
will drive growth and create jobs. Research shows that TTIP could
inject €120 billion into the EU’s economy, the European
Commission claims. However, critics argue that the agreement, which
has been negotiated behind closed doors, will weaken the EU’s
health and safety regulations. They also warn it will enable private
companies to sue governments over laws that limit their operations
through a controversial investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS)
clause.”
“In a
separate statement Thursday, the GMB called on the UK to negotiate an
opt-out from the ISDS [investor-state dispute settlement ] clause to
ensure the NHS stays in the public sector. Campaigners fear the NHS
could be the target of lawsuits from private corporations filed in
commercial courts. Next week’s vote on TTIP hangs in the balance
after the European Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats (S&D)
group backed away from a deal with the center-right European People’s
Party.”
Comments
Post a Comment