Mandelson’s trade legacy puts forests and livelihoods at risk - new report
African countries will be locked into an economic model based on the export of raw materials that could have a devastating impact on forests and wildlife, if new EU trade deals shaped by former trade commissioner Peter Mandelson are signed - according to a new report published by Friends of the Earth today (Monday 20 October 2008).
As Baroness Ashton prepares to take on the role of Trade Commissioner, Friends of the Earth is urging a rethink of Europe’s new Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) pioneered by her predecessor Peter Mandelson. New research by the environmental group shows the agreements will put forests at risk by forcing African countries to lift rules that limit the export of logs and other unprocessed raw materials - preventing them from using these laws to protect forests, wildlife and domestic industries.
Friends of the Earth’s trade campaigner Sarah-Jayne Clifton said:
"Baroness Ashton should re-think the damaging policies put in place by her predecessor Peter Mandelson."
"Economic Partnership Agreements will deepen the economic crisis faced by African countries and put some of the world’s richest forests, their wildlife and the people who depend on them at risk."
undercutting_africa.pdf 1.33 MB
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