38 Amendments of Marc TARABELLA related to 2015/2105(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the link between the single market and EU trade policy, and the fact that a dynamic, open and freeair global trade system is essential to making the single market function and grow; However, notes that this system needs effective, fair, transparent and strong global rules; Highlights that the multilateral rule-based system under the WTO is the most legitimate mean of managing and expanding trade relations in a more transparent and democratic way;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers the opening of new markets to be of the utmost importance in the context of the current farming crisis and accordingly favoimportant in the context of the current farming crisis; takes the view, however, that export prospects, which are not the priority objective for European agricultural and food products, would not counterbalance the dangers that a multitude of bilateral trade agreements might pose for the most sensitive agricultural sectors, bearing in mind the competitive advantage enjoyed by farmers in certain third countries owing to their production models, the size of their production structures the balanced negotiation of bilateral or multilateral agreements with third countries, provided that the most sensitive sectors are adequately protectedand their lower social, environmental, health and animal welfare requirements and standards; highlights, further, the need to negotiate and approve only those bilateral or multilateral agreements with third countries that are balanced and likely to provide adequate protection for the most sensitive sectors, through limited tariff quotas or simply by excluding the most sensitive sectors;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers the opening of new markets to be of the utmost importance in the context of the current farming crisis and accordingly favours the balanced negotiation of bilateral or multilateral agreements with third countries, provided that the most sensitive sectors are adequately protected; considers it vital, however, to encourage domestic demand in relation to fruit and vegetable consumption in particular, since 24 of the 28 Member States consume less than the daily portion of 400 g recommended by the World Health Organisation;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that, given the EU’'s status as the largest economy in the world, trade is its strongest policy tool for promoting European values abroad while creating jobs and growth at homesustainable and responsible trade can be a tool for promoting European values abroad; points out that a new future EU strategy on trade and investment paired by a coherent EU industrial policy, internal market and the economic policies will add value within the EU by fostering economic growth, investment and creating jobs;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Points out that the new trade strategy shall be conducted in the interest of European consumers and in a coherent manner with the principles, objectives and initiatives of the Union´s external actions;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Stresses that the new EU trade strategy should promote wealth distribution, help fighting against poverty and social and economic inequality and contribute to reinforce the rule of law, labour standards, human rights and fundamental freedoms at the same time as it creates economic growth and prosperity;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Stresses the importance of ensuring greater coherence between the measures proposed as part of the Union’s new commercial strategy and those adopted as part of the common agricultural policy in order to guarantee adequate income for farmers and preserve a European production model that respects the environment, animals, food safety and regional balance; recalls, as already highlighted by the European Parliament in its resolution of 8 July 2015 on TTIP, the need to guarantee the economic and social viability of the European agricultural model;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Points out that the trade policy should be accompanied by appropriate internal EU policies in order to allow consumers and workers in the EU to fully benefit from trade to be equipped with adequate social safety net; recalls the need for EU trade policy to be consistent with the EU´s commitments on human rights and to respect OIT international labour conventions;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2d. Points out that investment in education and innovation are key for the EU to compete successfully on the global markets while maintaining high levels of employment under fair conditions; stresses that social consequences of market opening must not only be addressed but foreseen and absorbed in a way that workers have the skills and tools needed to adapt to new challenges ; Considers therefore essential to invest in education and long life learning;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that the strategy reflects an understanding that protectionism has no place in the EU’s internal or external policies and that European goods and services are part of global value chains which make protectionist measures self-defeatingthat European goods and services are part of global value chains; calls on the Commission and Member States to strengthen cross-border value chains of goods and services enhancing the competitiveness of our economies and economic growth by reducing unjustified trade barriers;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Takes the view that the common agricultural policy has been a pillar of European policy since its introduction in 1962; recalls that, ever since the creation of the CAP, the European Union has insisted on ‘Community preference’, which means giving priority to products from the Member States;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission on one hand to support SMEs going global and to make available more internationalization tools, which would result in increased export capacity, and on the other hand to ensure protection of SMEs from unfair trading practices;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Points out that the European Union’s common agricultural policy runs counter to the major agricultural policies in the rest of the world, under which agricultural support is directly linked to prices or production volume and is characterised by its countercyclical nature; takes the view that it is important under these circumstances to negotiate agricultural free-trade agreements that do not destabilise the European agricultural and rural sector;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Acknowledges that in order for the EU to secure its place in global value chains a joined-up strategy across different areas of economic policy is needed; stresses the importance to ensure responsible management of supply chains, to tackle aggressive corporate profit shifting and tax avoidance strategies that profit from the fragmentation of value chains; Calls on the Commission for further and ambitious measures against aggressive tax planning and tax avoidance (tax rulings) which distort trade and competition, in order to promote balanced trade and fair competition between Member States and with third countries;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Highlights the importance of promoting innovation and quality as an added value of European products; notes that the recognition in trade agreements of geographical indications should be a priority, it equally notes that the extension of geographical indications to non- agricultural products could be a tool to encourage international trade expansion; notes that this tool could be effective to fight against commercial frauds and counterfeiting of goods at the same time as it fosters R+D and competitiveness for our businesses;
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees with the Commission on the need to take a holistic yet ambitious approach to public procurement while ensuring a level playing field for an equal and fair access to it, urges the Commission to defend EU rules and standards when negotiating trade and investment agreements with non EU- countries;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Opposes any form of negotiation involving the treatment of European agriculture as an expendable bargaining chip and warns of the cumulative effect of tariff concessions granted under different trade agreements; points out that a zero rate of duty is imposed on 71 % of all EU agri- food imports; stresses the need for specific studies drawn up by independent bodies on the repercussions on European agriculture of existing trade agreements and the potential impact of those currently being negotiated;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. OpposesStresses that agriculture is a highly strategic political issue on which food security and the way of life of all Europeans depend; opposes, therefore, any form of negotiation involving the treatment of European agriculture as an expendable bargaining chip and warns of the cumulative effect of tariff concessions granted under different trade agreements; points out that a zero rate of duty is imposed on 71 % of all EU agri- food imports;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomesStresses the importance of the Commission’'s pledgecommitment that no trade agreement will lower EU consumer protection standard, labour and environmental standards , which constitute the core of the European social model, while guaranteeing full compliance with the EU acquis;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Opposes any form of negotiation involving the treatment of European agriculture as an expendable bargaining chip and warns ofemphasises the threats posed by the cumulative effect of tariff concessions granted under different trade agreements; points out that a zero rate of duty is imposed on 71 % of all EU agri- food imports;
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Takes the view that any trade negotiations must be aimed at the strict preservation of standards on food security and human and animal health, as defined under EU legislation, ensure that fundamental values of the EU such as the precautionary principle and sustainable agriculture are respected, and firmly oppose any lowering of food standards;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Deplores the Commission's approach, which too often grants concessions in the field of agriculture for the purpose of gaining better access, in third countries, to the market for industrial goods and services; calls on the Commission to stop placing the interests of industry and services before those of agriculture;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Regrets that agriculture is the adjustment variable in international negotiations; regrets that this also applies to the negotiations with the US;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. UrgesCalls on the Commission to assess the impact on Europe of fresh trade concessions to third countries anddopt a strategy which protects sensitive sectors and applies to all trade agreements concluded or under negotiation, and to give an overview of the concessions already granted or in the process of being granted so that there is no runaway accumulation of concessions; therefore looks forward to the results of the impact assessment on the cumulative effect of the various sensitive-product quotas already granted to our partners (under negotiation or planned) as promised by the European Commission at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting on 11 April 2016 and urges it to forward its findings to the European Parliament before accepting or making any commercial offer;
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the current and future exclusion of services of general interest and services of general economic interest from trade agreements (including, but not limited to, water, health, social services, social security systems and education, waste management and public transport); welcomes the commitment by the Commission upon which it will not require governments to privatise any service nor prevent them from renationalising once privatised services, nor expanding the range of public interest services they offer to citizens;
Amendment 69 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on the Commission to ensure the highest level of transparency, dialogue and accountability; keeping the European Parliament fully and immediately informed at all stages of the negotiations, ensuring the serious and continuous engagement of the EU institutions with all relevant stakeholders throughout the whole negotiation process as well as with national parliaments and regional and local authorities; furthermore calls on the Commission to encourage EU negotiating partners to equally act in widening transparency thus ensuring the democratic foundation of trade policy, strengthening EU citizens trust and preventing misinformation;
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to conduct impact assessments of European agriculture and to publish the results before launching negotiations; stresses the need to consult all stakeholders, particularly at Parliament; considers that these impact assessments should consider the particular characteristics of all basic agricultural products;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Opposes, with regard to sensitive products, as mentioned in its resolution of 8 July 2015 on the TTIP negotiations, any accumulation of rules of origin for products from third countries with which the EU and its FTA partners already have free trade agreements;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for negotiations – in parallel to trade agreements – on greater mobility for professionals, recognition of professional qualifications, and visa facilitationSupports greater mobility for professionals, recognition of professional qualifications, and visa facilitation; Considers that the internal market should ensure the free movement of people; asks the Commission together with the Member States to promote a European mobility that ensures freedom of movement, the principle of equal treatment, and equal access to regulated professions while ensuring fair working conditions for all Europeans;
Amendment 84 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that trade agreements should ensure a level playing field between the different trading partners in the agricultural sector, taking into account the high environmental, food safety and social costs to be met by European farmers, so as to ensure that the latter are able to benefit fully from the opening of new markets; tariff barriers remain an indispensable tool to this end and must be maintained;
Amendment 95 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that EU producers are obliged to meet the highest standards in terms of quality, product hygiene, sustainable production methods, plant health, animal health and welfare, traceability, pesticide residue control, veterinary medicine and additives;
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that compliance with European standards of food safety, human, plant and animal health, and consumer protection is a fundamental and essential principle of the negotiations for European agriculture;
Amendment 98 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Strongly believes that producers in third countries wishing to export to the EU must provide European consumers with the same guarantees in terms of health, food safety, animal welfare, sustainable development and minimum social standards as those required of EU producers; stresses that this is the only way to ensure that EU farmers compete with third countries on equal terms and stresses the need for tighter import controls at borders and more stringent Food and Veterinary Office inspections of production and marketing conditions in countries exporting to the EU in order to ensure compliance with Union rules;
Amendment 106 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the protection of geographical indications should be a sine qua non in trade negotiations with third countries, especially the USA; therefore opposes the conclusion of any trade agreement which does not comply with the principle of geographical indications;
Amendment 109 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the protection of geographical indications should be a sine qua non in trade negotiations with third countries, especially the USA; considers that any agreement which would not protect geographical indications should not be signed;
Amendment 114 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Regrets that,under recently concluded or ongoing trade negotiations, only a ‘short list’ of EU geographical indications is protected by our trading partners; asks the Commission to establish rules ensuring a high level of protection of all EU geographical indications of economic relevance on the markets of third countries with which negotiations are under way, together with suitable implementing measures; notes that the protection and recognition of geographical indicators in third countries is potentially of great value to the entire EU agri-food sector;
Amendment 122 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the importance of progress regarding health and phytosanitary barriers, paying particular attention toespecially regarding the red lines drawn by the European Union that might have implications for the health of consumers.
Amendment 130 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. rejects any negotiations which would jeopardise the precautionary principle;