Today, negotiators meet in Brussels to finalise an EU-Canada free trade deal, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta). Like the EU-US deal being discussed, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Ceta contains a controversial clause to allow large companies to sue governments over decisions they believe could harm their profits. This investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system circumvents existing court systems and could be a barrier to democratic policymaking.
In Britain, Ceta could threaten the NHS, public education and other public services, as well as our ability to regulate a host of industries from fracking to finance. Despite widespread public concern over ISDS, trade negotiators have seen fit to keep it in Ceta. If the British government doesnt challenge it this week, neither European or British parliaments have the ability to amend a deal whose text still remains formally secret. Today is business secretary Vince Cables last chance to use the UKs veto to remove ISDS from Ceta, to protect our democracy from the corporate power-grab proposed by this deal. We urge him to do so.
Nick DeardenDirector, World Development Movement, John HilaryExecutive director, War on Want,Sally HuntGeneral secretary, University and College Union,Christine BlowerGeneral secretary, National Union of Teachers,Helen DreweryGeneral secretary, Quaker Peace and Social Witness,Ruth Bergan Coordinator, Trade Justice Movement