TPPA will remove consumer rights

Press Release – Soil and Health Association
“The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement is the biggest threat to consumer rights
New Zealand has ever seen” says Debbie Swanwick, Spokesperson, Soil & Health –
Organic NZ. Her comments come following the closure of the 15th round of TPPA negotiations …TPPA will remove consumer rights

“The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement is the biggest threat to
consumer rights New Zealand has ever seen” says Debbie
Swanwick, Spokesperson, Soil & Health – Organic NZ.
Her
comments come following the closure of the 15th round of
TPPA negotiations at Sky City, Auckland recently.
Over a
hundred and fifty protestors gathered at Sky City during the
negotiations, to present a petition signed by 750,000 world
citizens against the TPPA which organisers refused to
accept.
One of the implications of the TPPA, with regard
to food, is that consumers will be denied the right to know
what is in their food. “Current labelling laws will be
revoked for fear of prosecution by investor interests should
a label, for example identifying ingredients as genetically
engineered, negatively impact their profits” says
Swanwick.
Protests throughout the country have
demonstrated the level of public discontent on the issue
which has also attracted comment from public
representatives, in agreement, in local council.
“We
recently elected a new Auckland Council that wants to build
resilient communities across the region, support local
business and retain our public assets. I believe a TPPA
would pose a barrier to those three laudable roles and give
foreign investors too much power in New Zealand’ said
Auckland Councillor Cathy Casey of the TPPA.
A poll
conducted by Consumer Link in mid November expressed public
concern around the lack of transparency around the TPPA.
Sixty five percent of New Zealanders think the Government
should make the contents of the agreement public before the
negotiations are completed.
“The lack of public
consultation and a lack of response despite repeated calls
for the release of draft documents is undemocratic and does
not deliver on a governance mandate to serve the interests
of the public. A leaked draft of the legislation affords
powers to investors over consumers. As it currently stands,
precursor legislation currently affords investors 88% of all
claims against governments, which is paid by the taxpayer.
Placing profits before people has never been acceptable
behaviour” says Swanwick.
Soil & Health is one of the
oldest organic organisations in the world and promote fresh,
healthy, organic food – GE, pesticide and additive free and
advocate for consumers rights. Oranga Nuku, Oranga Kai
Oranga
Tangata.
ENDS

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