Parliament sets guidelines for trade talks with Australia and New Zealand

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2017-10-27

● New opportunities for EU business, with a special focus on small firms
● Protection for EU farmers and consumers
● Separate agreements on trade and investment

Trade talks with Australia and New Zealand should aim to help the EU economy while protecting farmers and consumers, MEPs say in a resolution voted on Thursday.

The EU is set to launch negotiations for new free trade agreements with the two countries, aiming to boost trade in goods and services, and investment flows. MEPs offer various proposals as their input to the Council and the Commission for future talks.

Key suggestions include:

● EU businesses should be offered new opportunities to win contracts with public authorities,

● some agricultural products may need special treatment, such as quotas or transition periods and safeguard clauses. The most sensitive ones might have to be excluded,

● no provision should prevent EU governments from legislating to protect health, safety or the environment or require them to privatise public services,

● the EU’s consumer protection standards must be maintained,

● a specific chapter should be devoted to creating business opportunities for small companies, and

● separate deals should be concluded on trade and investment respectively with both countries.

The resolution on Australia was passed by 452 votes to 126 with 25 abstentions, and that on New Zealand by 440 votes to 122, with 27 abstentions.

Source: European Parliament

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