 |
 |
EU must do better on fair trade
October 22, 2001 12:00 AM
The EU could and must take three steps to help poverty-stricken farmers in southern Africa trade fairly with Europe, according to Baroness Sarah Ludford, the Liberal Democrat MEP for London.
Baroness Ludford is supporting the campaign being run by ACTSA - Action for Southern Africa - in support of fair trade for southern African farmers.
She commented:
"ACTSA has weighty evidence that we in Europe are not offering a level-playing field.
"Firstly, sugar farmers in Swaziland are very efficient and can produce sugar at less than half the cost of European farmers, but most sugar that those farmers sell to Europe is subject to big import taxes. That removes the competitive edge the African farmers have and so stops them using trade to develop their economy. The EU must remove all barriers that stop southern African farmers selling to EU markets.
"Secondly, Mozambique tried to protect its nut processing sector by taxing the export of raw cashews, but the World Bank and the IMF vetoed any increase in aid or debt relief until the tax was abolished. Mozambique gave into the pressure and, as a result, the cashew industry collapsed and 7,000 jobs were lost. Bodies like the EU can push for African economies to be permitted such small-scale protection.
"Thirdly, the trade policy pursued by the EU should also cultivate development in southern Africa and different policies should be 'joined up'. The EU has, for example, given aid to Namibian farmers to help them market beef to South Africa whilst at the same time dumping European beef, made cheap by EU subsidies, into southern African markets.
"In his recent party conference speech, the Prime Minister said that free trade and globalisation should help poorer economies as well as the rich. These are a few simple steps he and his fellow leaders in Europe can take right now."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats