2018/0091M(NLE) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that the aim of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and Japan is to create a free trade area involving the two parties, a new free trade area to be added to the many others which have recently been established or are under negotiation;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes that the pressure exerted on biodiversity and the environment by increased production in the food and feed sector is a cause for concern;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Notes that the EPA does not include any binding commitments in relation to the environment and sustainable development;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Notes that the EPA seeks to liberalise services on the basis of negative lists;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Notes that the European Parliament has expressed its objections to animal cloning and the importation of such animals for food, while in Japan it is permitted;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)

3e. Notes that Japanese rules are more restrictive than those in the EU as regards radioactivity in food;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

~~4. Urges that the EPA stipulate that Japan should accede to and apply the international agreements drawn up to combat imports of illegal timber;~~(Does not affect the English version.)

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls for the chapter on sustainable development to be made binding by subjecting it to a complaints and penalty system through an inter-state dispute settlement mechanism, to ensure that transnational companies comply with social and environmental standards;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Calls for the agreement expressly to recall the EU's opposition to the practice of whaling, which is permitted in Japan;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for the EPA to apply the WTO principle of positive lists in order to guarantee that public services are protected; regrets that the agreement provides for an almost total liberalisation of the financial sector and that this may affect all future attempts to harmonise fiscal and social standards in the EU;

Amendment 19 #

5a. Regrets that Japan has still not ratified ILO Convention No 105 concerning the abolition of forced labour or ILO Convention No 111 concerning discrimination in respect of employment and occupation and that the negotiations on the agreement did not bring about any changes to this situation;

Amendment 2 #

Luke Ming FLANAGAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that with every such new major trade deal, there are accompanying probably major negative environmental impacts, especially in the transport sector, given the increase in traffic flow on land, on sea and in the air; urges that these impacts should be independently measured and costed against any perceived financial gains;

Amendment 20 #

Nicola CAPUTO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the EPA to be amended to make food labelling compulsory until such time as bans have been imposed on imports of cloned meat and~~/or the traceability of cloned meat can be guaranteed~~ of all other foodstuffs which do not guarantee the same food safety standards as in the EU;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for the EPA to be amended to make systematic food labelling compulsory until such time as bans have been imposed on imports of cloned meat and/or the traceability of cloned meat can be guaranteed;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Urges the Union~~Calls on the Union and the Member States to draw on the Japanese rules on food radioactivity in an effort to protect European consumers more effectively.

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Condemns the fact that, in spite of the European Parliament's position on whaling, this issue was not up for discussion and that the negotiations on this agreement did not provide an opportunity for the EU to demand that Japan comply with the relevant international moratorium;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Rejects the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and Japan.

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Regrets that the representatives of the Commission and the Council went to Japan in July 2018 to sign the free trade agreement between Japan and the European Union before the European Parliament could even consider the final agreement;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Regrets that the agreement was negotiated in the utmost secrecy and that only minimal information was submitted to the European Parliament or made public;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Deplores the fact that the chapter on sustainable development was drafted in vague terms and does not include any binding measure or penalty in case of failure to comply with its provisions;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)

1d. Deplores the fact that, generally speaking, EU objectives concerning the fight against climate change, environmental protection and the preservation of biodiversity are not binding objectives in the final agreement;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 e (new)

1e. Regrets that a private or international investor-state dispute settlement court has once again been negotiated by the Commission; demands that all negotiations still under way on this issue be immediately closed;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that non-tariff regulatory 2. measures remain the priority and entail a complex drafting process and that new regulatory divergences could arise in future, in particular in heavily regulated and innovative areas such as motorised vehicles, chemicals, medical devices and services;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises that Japan is the world’s largest timber importer and thus plays a part in increasing the risk of illegal deforestation, which is detrimental in view of the current challenges posed by climate change and reduction of biodiversity;

source: 627.602

2018/10/03 INTA 236 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

– having regard to its resolution on the negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) of 3 February 2016,

Amendment 10 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 b (new)

– having regard to Protocol 26 to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on services of general interest;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Highlights the fact that the agreement promotes best practices for providing safe and high-quality food and products for consumers; calls on both partners to mainstream consumer protection in the implementation of the agreement; Reminds that around 85% of agri-food products will be allowed to enter Japan entirely duty-free.

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Highlights the fact~~Notes that the agreement ~~promotes b~~includest pr~~actice~~ovisions for providing safe and high- quality food and products for consumers; ~~calls on both partners to mainstream~~deplores the fact that consumer protection is left to be sorted in the implementation of the agreement; calls for vigilance in the matter of food product radioactivity levels;

Amendment 102 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC, David MARTIN, Bernd LANGE

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Welcomes the elimination of tariffs on industrial products for sectors in which the EU is highly competitive, such as chemicals, plastics, cosmetics as well as textiles and clothing;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection and that those high standards should not be regarded as trade barriers; recalls Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, welcomes the fact that both Japan and the EU have adhered themselves to the “Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and Trade” and calls on both parties to strongly reinforce commitments on gender and trade in this agreement; expects the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement;

Amendment 104 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; ~~expec~~requests the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement; asks the Commission to carry out an ex-post sustainability impact assessment after three years of implementation of the FTA and to immediately activate the amendment procedure in case of incompatibilities with sustainable development and the SDGs;

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; expects the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement; points out that the agreement stresses that labour and environmental standards cannot be relaxed or lowered to attract trade and investment;

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; expects the EU and Japan to show their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreementDeplores once more the fact that neither party has decided to make environmental protection and the protection of workers' rights mandatory; deplores the fact that the EU has not required Japan to comply with the international ban on whaling;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that both parties are committed to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; ~~expects the EU and Japan to show their~~deplores the lack of ambition of both EU and Japan regarding commitments to ~~the~~achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement;

Amendment 108 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Stress~~Notes that both parties ~~are~~ commit~~ted~~ to ensure high levels of environmental and labour protection; ~~expects~~calls on the EU and Japan to ~~show their commit~~take all necessary actions to implement to the Sustainable Development Goals ~~in all their actions, including the implementation of this agreement~~;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the sustainable management of ~~forests (including fighting illegal logging) and~~ fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); regrets the non-binding, low- level commitments on fighting illegal logging; calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matters;

Amendment 11 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 c (new)

– having regard to its recommendation following the inquiry on money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion P8_TA-PROV(2017)0491;

Amendment 110 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements~~, as well as to the~~; is of the view that the commitment to “encourage the conservation and sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matterstrade in timber and timber products harvested in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country of harvest” is largely insufficient and is concerned that EPA is likely to increase the threats to world forests, including EU’s forests; calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices; believes that only a trade and sustainable development chapter with a credible enforcement mechanism, providing for sanctions or the suspension of trade preferences, would make the Parties’ commitments effective;

Amendment 111 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective and binding implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); calls for enhanced cooperation to safe endangered maritime species such as Bluefin tuna, and to stop whale hunting at last, and calls in particular on Japan to respect all resolutions of the IWC and to prohibit scientific whaling carried out as a disguise for commercial whaling; calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matters;

Amendment 112 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matters; believes however that only a reformed trade and sustainable development approach, as promoted by the European Parliament in numerous resolutions, would achieve lasting progress in the future and can therefore only regret that the EU-Japan EPA is a missed opportunity in this respect;

Amendment 113 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements~~, as well as to the sustainable m~~ but recalls that such commitments remain voluntary; Points out that the EU-Japan agreement of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation incould be an instrument to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future; regrets that no binding measures or targets are included in the agreement; 1. calls on the Commission to introduce binding greenhouse gas emissions targets, including through the use ~~matters~~of a sanctions based mechanism;

Amendment 114 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); recalls that EU legislation remains applicable to products imported into the European market; calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matters;

Amendment 115 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the commitment to the effective and binding implementation of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change and of other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (including the endangered Bluefin tuna) and stop whale hunting); calls on both parties to cooperate closely under the sustainable development chapter to exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matters;

Amendment 116 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. ~~Welcom~~Deplores the ~~commitment to the effective implementation of~~fact that the commitment to apply the Paris Agreement to combat climate change ~~and of~~is not binding, and that the same goes for the other multilateral environmental agreements, as well as to the sustainable management of forests (including fighting illegal logging) and fisheries (combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); calls on both parties to ~~cooperate closely under~~renegotiate the sustainable development chapter to ~~exchange best practices and to strengthen the enforcement of legislation in these matters~~make it binding;

Amendment 117 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Calls upon both parties to suspend the ratification of the EPA until further agreement is reached on binding Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter in a further, more comprehensive negotiation.

Amendment 118 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Recalls that the Commission’s Sustainability impact assessment states that Japan’s regulatory framework to address illegal logging activities suffers from serious design weaknesses and that is only based on voluntary measures; points out that this could exacerbate illegal logging;

Amendment 119 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls upon both parties to suspend the ratification of the EPA until further agreement is reached on a binding Trade and Sustainable Development Chapters.

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 12 December 2017 on “Towards a digital trade strategy” (2017/2065(INI))

Amendment 120 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Regrets the lack of ambition of the animal welfare provisions, only aiming at improving understanding of each other’s practices, and calls for the Commission to ensure a working plan and a working group are established to address this issue;

Amendment 121 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Deplores that a sanction-based mechanism to effectively enforce sustainable development related provisions has not been included in the TSD chapter;

Amendment 122 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)

9d. Regrets the fact that the TSD- chapter in the EU-Japan-agreement lags behind the sustainability related provisions that are included in the CPTPP-agreement to which Japan is a Member and where each Party shall provide appropriate sanctions or remedies for violations for the effective enforcement of the provisions;

Amendment 123 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)

9e. Stresses that assessing and reviewing labour and environmental standards should not be limited to the chapters which specifically deal with these issues, but should horizontally address these areas and other areas of the agreement, such as investment, trade in services, regulatory cooperation and public procurement on labour and environmental standards;

Amendment 124 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 f (new)

9f. Calls on both parties not to wait until the review clause will be triggered to strengthen the sustainable development provisions in the Agreement and to start working immediately on an effective sanction mechanism in case of sustained violations;

Amendment 125 #

Christophe HANSEN, Iuliu WINKLER, Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Jarosław WAŁĘSA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progress on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions, and joins the call by EU and Japanese trade unions for this lack to be remedied promptly; considers the ratification and implementation of both conventions a precondition for establishing a trade agreement with the EU for any potential partner, and calls upon parties to suspend the ratification of the EPA until ratification of both conventions is complete;

Amendment 126 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 127 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; ~~regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of~~calls on the Commission to monitor this and other commitments ~~made~~ in the ~~EPA, concrete progress on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conven~~TSD chapter and cooperate with Japan on the implementation in accordance with the Commission's 15- point plan on TSD implementations;

Amendment 128 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progress on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions; calls upon parties to suspend the ratification of the EPA until this ratification, as also called upon by the EU and Japanese trade unions;

Amendment 129 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas although the Union and Japan share fundamental values ~~such as respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and a strong commitment to sustainable development and a rules- based WTO system~~, the agreement as negotiated contains no social or environmental conditions;

Amendment 130 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Bernd LANGE, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

Amendment 131 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the clear commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not yet ratified two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete ~~progress~~and swift progress in a reasonable timeframe on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions;

Amendment 132 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Bernd LANGE, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights the fact that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; ~~regret~~notes that Japan ~~has not yet~~is yet to ratif~~ied~~y two ILO core conventions (on discrimination and on the abolition of forced labour) and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progress on the part of Japan towards the ratification of these conventions;

Amendment 133 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Highlights ~~the fact~~ that the agreement includes the commitment to pursue the ratification of fundamental ILO conventions; regrets that Japan has not ~~yet~~ ratified the two ILO core conventions (on dDiscrimination and on the aAbolition of fForced lLabour) ~~and expects, in light of commitments made in the EPA, concrete progress on the part~~before the negotiations have been concluded and calls ofn Japan, to~~wards the ratification of these conventions~~ ratify and implement these conventions as soon as possible;

Amendment 134 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Welcomes that Japan will establish an inter-ministerial framework to deal with the implementation of sustainable development commitments, including the ratification of the ILO core conventions, and that the trade and sustainable development committee foreseen by the agreement is tasked with interacting with civil society on the implementation of the sustainable development chapter;

Amendment 135 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Welcomes that the TSD Chapter contains an obligation for the Parties to ratify the remaining fundamental ILO Conventions; calls on the EU and Japan to establish a roadmap on solid commitments to to achieve full implementation of these Conventions in a timely manner;

Amendment 136 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 137 #

Bendt BENDTSEN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 138 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort; regrets that this agenda has not been pursued by the Commission and that insufficient efforts have been made to secure the ratification of ILO Conventions 105 and 111 by Japan during the actual negotiations of the EPA;

Amendment 139 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Welcom~~Notes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development ~~and calls on the Commission to trigger this~~; Stresses that the review clause ais ~~soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of~~no guarantee that labour and environmental provisions, w~~hich should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort~~ill be strengthened and effectively enforced in the future;

Amendment 14 #

Christophe HANSEN, Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Iuliu WINKLER, Jarosław WAŁĘSA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, given that the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has a strategic dimension ~~and~~, is the most important bilateral trade agreement ever concluded by the Union a~~s it~~nd covers nearly a third of world GDP, it should have been given much stricter social and environmental requirements than have been negotiated;

Amendment 140 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on trade and sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort;

Amendment 141 #

Daniel CASPARY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and ~~calls on the Commission to~~beliefs that triggering this clause ~~as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort~~will not be necessary given the high standards of labour and environmental provisions in Japan;

Amendment 142 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause ~~as soon as possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness~~if necessary in order to uphold the commitments made ofn labour and environmental provisions~~, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort~~;

Amendment 143 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause ~~as soon as possible in order to~~when needed to further strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions~~, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort~~;

Amendment 144 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to ~~trigger this clause as soon as possibl~~make good use of this clause in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions~~, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort~~ and to ensure this EPA to continuously be a front-runner agreement with the highest protection possible;

Amendment 145 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Welcom~~Notes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause ~~as soon as possible~~ in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions and provisions on the protection of whales, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resort;

Amendment 146 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause ~~as soon as possible~~ in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions, which should include ~~the possibility of~~ sanctions as a last resort;

Amendment 147 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause as soo~~Requests the Commission to immediately reopen the negotiation at least of the chapter on sustainable development with a view to adding a sanction-based mechanism in cas ~~possible in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environ~~e of violation of commitments, as a condition for the Parliamental to pro~~visions, which should include the possibility of sanctions as a last resor~~ceed with voting its consent to the agreement;

Amendment 148 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Welcomes the inclusion of a review clause in the chapter on sustainable development and calls on the Commission to trigger this clause ~~as soon as possible~~immediately in order to strengthen the enforceability and effectiveness of labour and environmental provisions, which should include ~~the possibility of~~ sanctions as a last resort;

Amendment 149 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Recalls that the European Court of Justice has stated, in its 2/15 Opinion on EU-Singapore FTA that trade and sustainable development chapters have a direct and immediate effect on trade and that a breach on sustainable development provisions authorises the other Party to terminate or suspend the liberalisation provided for on other provisions of the FTA;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Union and Japan share fundamental values such as respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and a strong commitment to sustainable development ~~and a~~, climate change and a legal enforceability of the rules- based WTO system;

Amendment 150 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Calls on Japan, the EU and its members states to make use of the review clause of the TSD Chapter to strongly reinforce commitments on Gender and Trade, including the achievement of the rights to equal pay and reconciliation of working and family life;

Amendment 151 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Underlines the fact that the EPA maintains the right of M~~Regrets that public services are not fully excluded from the scope of the agreement and that any such services that may ember ~~State authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level, despite its nega~~ge in the future are governed by the provisions of the Agreement; Underlines the preference for a gold standard clause that unequivocally carves out public services from all trade and investment obligations; Believes that as a principle, the use of a positive list approach, a~~nd that it does not prevent governments from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector~~s per the GATS is always preferable;

Amendment 152 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines ~~the fact~~ that the EPA should maintains the right of Member States' authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level~~, despite its~~; is concerned that a negative list approach~~, and that it does not prevent governments from bringing any~~ requires regulators to determine at the time of negotiations all regulatory needs for the future and that ratchet and standstill clauses forbid in principle to go back to less favourable levels of liberalisation; believes that the current public utility clause may not be the most approprivat~~ised service back in to the public sector~~e manner to protect services of general interest and services of general economic interest; regrets that the EPA does not provide the same level of safeguards to public water as CETA;

Amendment 153 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Underlin~~Criticises the fact that the EPA ~~maintains the right of Member State authorities to define, provi~~applies a negative list approach, de mand ~~regulate public services at local, regional or national level, despite its negative list approach, and that it does no~~s to renegotiate services liberalisation based on a positive list approach; stresses that the agreement must contain clear and unambiguous language that under no circumstances the agreement prevents governments or local or regional authorities from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector;, in order to protect authorities from being sued by private investors; Calls upon both parties to protect public water management, including waste water management, and to exclude it from the application of market access commitments and non-discrimination clause under the EPA.

Amendment 154 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines the fact that the EPA maintains the right of Member State authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level, despite its negative list approach, and that it ~~does not~~should under no circumstance prevent governments from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector;. Calls upon both parties to protect public water management and to exclude it from the application of market access commitments and non-discrimination clause under the EPA.

Amendment 155 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines the fact that the EPA maintains the right of Member State authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level, despite its negative list approach, and that it does not prevent governments from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector; regrets the negative list approach in the services liberalization chapter;

Amendment 156 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines th~~e fact~~at the negative list approach guarantees that the EPA maintains the right of Member State authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level~~, despite its negative list approach,~~ and that ithe EPA does not prevent governments from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector;

Amendment 157 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Underlines the fact that the negative list approach in the EPA maintains the right of Member State authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level~~, despite its negative list approach,~~ and that the EPA it does not prevent governments from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector;

Amendment 158 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

12. Underlines the fact that the EPA fully maintains the right of Member State authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level, ~~despite its negative list approach,~~ and that it does not prevent governments from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector;

Amendment 159 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Expects that the EPA maintains the right of Member States’ authorities to define, provide and regulate public services at local, regional or national level, and that it does not prevent governments from bringing any privatised service back in to the public sector;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has a strategic dimension and is the most important bilateral trade agreement ever concluded by the Union as it covers nearly a third of world GDP, almost 40 percent of world trade and more than 600 million people;

Amendment 160 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Regrets that the agreement does not include a specific chapter on Consumer Protection, which should be included in all future trade agreements.

Amendment 161 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Highlights the need to safeguard future regulatory policy space, necessary to meet the regulatory challenges of digitalisation and dynamic and uncertain technological development in the area of trade in services; stresses that new services and newly developed public utilities must stay out of the liberalisation obligations of the agreement;

Amendment 162 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12c. Demands that any provisions on Mode 4 (temporary movement of natural persons) must be subject to an effective international cooperation of the legal authorities for the enforcement of social and employment legislation, collective wage agreements and minimum wages;

Amendment 163 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. BConsiders that the agreement will make it easier for EU firms to provide services on the highly lucrative Japanese market and believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, will give a significant boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives;

Amendment 164 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, will give a boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives; notes that the EPA secures fairer treatment of EU service suppliers operating in Japan comparable to that of Japanese suppliers;

Amendment 165 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, will give a boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives and human rights due to a redefinition of the notion of public space;

Amendment 166 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, will give a boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives and human rights due to a redefinition of the notion of public space;

Amendment 167 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services, cyber security, energy and telecommunications, will give a boost to trade in services while safeguarding the pursuit of legitimate policy objectives;

Amendment 168 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. ~~Believ~~Notes that market access commitments in cross-border services, including e-commerce, maritime transport, postal services and telecommunications, ~~will give a~~could boost to trade in services ~~while safeguarding~~; recalls theat pu~~rsuit of legitimate policy objectives~~blic policy objectives have to be safeguarded;

Amendment 169 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Points out that the EPA foresees the temporary movement of professionals across borders (so-called mode 4), committing both sides to intra-corporate transfers in about 40 sectors and for independent professionals in about 20 sectors, which contributes to facilitate EU-Japan foreign direct investment ties;

Amendment 17 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has a strategic dimension and ~~is the most important bilateral trade agreement ever concluded by the Union as~~ it covers nearly a third of world GDP;

Amendment 170 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the agreement should preserves the sovereign right to regulate the financial and banking sectors for prudential and supervisory reasons~~; calls on both partners to~~ and recalls that provisions in the financial services chapter are based on GATS, which dates back to 1995; notes with concern that the EU has included those financial products that were at the origin of the financial crisis into the list of services to be liberalised (i.e. credit-default swaps, asset- backed securities, derivative products such as futures and options); requests that both partners use the financial regulatory forum only to improve the global financial system; regrets that this FTA has missed the opportunity to make liberalisation of trade in financial services compatible with the post-crisis regulatory pattern by using a positive list for financial services, as also recommended by the European Parliament based on the work of its PANA Committee; regrets the inclusion of a very ambitious provision on new financial services, confirming the intention to further liberalise and expand the financial sector, in contradiction with the post-crisis approach of rather limiting financial innovation;

Amendment 171 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Stress~~Notes that the agreement preserves the sovereign right to regulate the financial and banking sectors for prudential and supervisory reasons; calls on both partners to use the financial regulatory forum to improve the global financial systemfinancial regulatory forum could be used by both parties to improve the global financial system; Recalls that the EP has requested in its PANA report that the ‘Investment’ and ‘Financial Services’ chapters of future trade or partnership agreements be negotiated on the basis of the positive list principle, so that only the financial sectors necessary for commercial development, the real economy and households benefit from the facilitation and liberalisation brought about by the agreement between the Union and the third party concerned; is concerned that the EU-Japan agreement has been negotiated on the basis of a ‘negative list’ approach; regrets that the EP recommendation has not been followed;

Amendment 172 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the agreement preserves the sovereign right to regulate the financial and banking sectors for prudential and supervisory reasons; calls on both partners to use the financial regulatory forum to improve the global financial system; calls upon both parties to carryout systematic studies on the impact of the EPA on financial stability and financial regulation space. Furthermore, calls upon parties to exclude financial regulation from the scope of any future agreement on investment protection arbitration;

Amendment 173 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the agreement preserves the sovereign right to regulate the financial and banking sectors for prudential and supervisory reasons; calls on both partners to use the financial regulatory forum to improve the global financial system; calls upon both parties to carry out systematic studies on the impact of the EPA on financial stability and national financial regulation space. Furthermore, calls upon parties to exclude financial regulation from the scope of investment protection arbitration;

Amendment 174 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses that the agreement only preserves the sovereign right to regulate the financial and banking sectors for prudential and supervisory reasons ; calls on both partners to ~~use~~amend deeply the “financial regulatory forum’s” missions, in order to dissociate speculative and commercial credit banking activities ; to elaborate a common tax on financial transactions, particularly on derivatives ; to reduce “shadow banking” and high speculative assets private tradings ; to improve the global financial system;

Amendment 175 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. ~~Stresses~~Deplores the fact that the agreement preserves the sovereign right to regulate the financial and banking sectors for prudential and supervisory reasons; calls on both partners to use the financial regulatory forum to improve the global financial systemopens up the financial sector almost completely, and that it creates a 'Euro-Japanese financial forum on regulations' with the power to influence future financial rules in Japan and the EU;

Amendment 176 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. ~~Welcomes key innovative~~Takes note of elements such as dedicated chapters to enhance benefits for SMEs and promote corporate social responsibility based on ~~the principles of the G20 and the OECD;~~ G20 and OECD’s principles; Deplores that CSR provisions remain on a voluntary basis within the remit of the TSD chapter and are not subject to an effective enforcement mechanism or to the general dispute settlement mechanism;

Amendment 177 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes key innovative elements such as dedicated chapters to enhance benefits for SMEs and promote corporate social responsibility based on the principles of the G20 and the OECD; notes that with respect to corporate social responsibility the Commission has unfortunately failed to promote an innovative model based on mandatory commitments, and remains stuck with an insufficient voluntary approach;

Amendment 178 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes key innovative elements such as dedicated chapters to enhance benefits for SMEs ~~and~~trough special clauses committing both parties to transparency about market access and to share relevant information. Points out that it is the first agreement containing a specific chapter on Corporate Governance aiming to promote corporate social responsibility based on the principles of the G20 and the OECD;

Amendment 179 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes key innovative elements such as dedicated chapters to enhance benefits for SMEs and promote corporate social responsibility based on the principles of the G20 and the OECD;. Urges both parties to take a positive and constructive stance in the conclusion of the United Nations Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights.

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

Amendment 180 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes key innovative elements such as dedicated chapters to enhance benefits for SMEs and promote corporate social responsibility based on the principles of the G20 and the OECD;. Urges both parties to work actively towards the conclusion of the United Nations Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights.

Amendment 181 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Welcomes key innovative elements such as dedicated chapters to enhance benefits for SMEs ~~and promote~~, the Paris agreement and corporate social responsibility based on the principles of the G20 and the OECD;

Amendment 182 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Regrets that the precautionary principle is not mentioned in the TBT and SPS chapters and only a reference to the precautionary approach has been made in the TSD-chapter; stresses that nothing in the agreement prevents the application of the precautionary principle in the European Union as set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Firmly underlines that all imports from Japan into the EU must respect all standards imposed on EU products;

Amendment 183 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Underlines that the EPA includes an anti-fraud clause, which makes it possible for the EU to withdraw trade preferences in cases of fraud and refusal to cooperate on customs matters, while ensuring that legitimate traders are not adversely affected;

Amendment 184 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that regulatory cooperation is voluntary and that it should by no means limits the right to regulate; recalls that corresponding provisions must be implemented in full respect of the prerogatives of the co-legislators; ~~welcomes the fact that the regulatory cooperation chapter clearly states that the principles established in the TFEU, such as the precautionary principle, must be fully respected;~~ underlines the provision in the chapter on regulatory cooperation that regulatory measures cannot constitute a disguised barrier to trade, which entails a weighing and balancing between what is proportionate and necessary on the one hand and what can be a legitimate policy objective on the other hand; is concerned that regulatory cooperation within the framework of FTAs risks making the delicate balance between regulating the public interest and eliminating barriers to trade lean towards the latter; recalls that the principles established in the TFEU, such as the precautionary principle, are not adequately protected by current multilateral and bilateral trade agreements and regrets that the EPA has failed to set up stronger and adequate safeguards; is concerned that the EU may lose again trade disputes in the future, as well as about the real risk of a chilling effect on future regulatory measures;

Amendment 185 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that regulatory cooperation is voluntary and ~~that it~~ by no means should limits the right to regulate; recalls that corresponding provisions must be implemented in full respect of the prerogatives of the co-legislators; welcomes the fact that the regulatory cooperation chapter clearly states that the principles established in the TFEU, such as the precautionary principle, must be fully respected or open the door to any kind of regulatory chill or weakening of the level of protection of labour, the environment, consumers, health and food safety in order to encourage or attract trade; Stresses the importance of excluding sensitive regulations; Underlines that any cooperation should not undermine the internal legislative process in the EU, including appropriate consultations of EU stakeholders, nor affect in any way the prerogatives of the European Parliament under the EU Treaties;

Amendment 186 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that regulatory cooperation is voluntary and that it by no means limits the right to regulate; recalls that corresponding provisions must be implemented in full respect of the prerogatives of the co-legislators; welcomes the fact that the regulatory cooperation chapter clearly states that the principles established in the TFEU~~, such as~~ must be fully respected; calls for an amendment to the text and to explicitly mention the precautionary principle~~, must be fully respected~~;

Amendment 187 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that regulatory cooperation ismust remain voluntary and that it must by no means limits the right of either party to regulate; recalls that corresponding provisions must be implemented in full respect of the prerogatives of the co- legislators; ~~welcomes the fact~~notes that the regulatory cooperation chapter clearly states that the principles established in the TFEU, such as the precautionary principle, must be fully respected;

Amendment 188 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that regulatory cooperation is voluntary and that it by no means limits the right to regulate; recalls that corresponding provisions must be implemented in full respect of the prerogatives of the co-legislators; welcomes the fact that the regulatory cooperation chapter clearly states that the principles established in the TFEU, ~~such as~~and in particular the precautionary principle, must be fully respected;

Amendment 189 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls for transparency and Parliamentary oversight on the functioning of the regulatory cooperation committee and for a balanced involvement of ~~all~~ stakeholders, notably including civil society organisations; demands full access for Members of the European Parliament and National Parliaments to all preparatory documents of the Regulatory Cooperation Committee; insists on a transparency register for the participants to meetings of the Regulatory Cooperation Committee;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has a strategic dimension and is the most important bilateral trade agreement ever concluded byin the ~~Union~~world as it covers nearly a third of world GDP;

Amendment 190 #

17. Calls for transparency on the functioning of the regulatory cooperation committee and for a balanced involvement of all stakeholders, notably civil society organisations;. Calls upon full access for Members of the European Parliament and National Parliaments in the preparatory documents of the Regulatory Cooperation Committee. Furthermore, calls upon a transparency register for the participants to the Regulatory Cooperation Committee meetings.

Amendment 191 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls for transparency on the functioning of the regulatory cooperation committee and for a balanced involvement of all stakeholders, notably of trade unions and civil society organisations; Stresses that the European Parliament should be kept informed on a regular basis about the decisions, that are taken in the regulatory cooperation committee;

Amendment 192 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

Amendment 193 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls for transparency on the functioning of the regulatory cooperation committee and for ~~a balanced involvement~~the adequate involvement of the EU co-legislators and of all stakeholders, notably civil society organisations;

Amendment 194 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls for transparency on the functioning of the regulatory cooperation committee and for ~~a balanced~~the full involvement of all stakeholders, notably civil society organisations;

Amendment 195 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Welcomes the commitment of both the EU and Japan to work more closely together on developing international standards; points out that setting standards through regulatory cooperation is crucial as the EU and Japan account for more than 40% of global imports and exports;

Amendment 196 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17a. Calls upon both parties to acknowledge the right of each national, regional and local authority to regulate in the public interest.

Amendment 197 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement ~~and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism~~; Notes that non-discriminatory treatment of foreign investors can be achieved without the inclusion of an ISDS/ICS mechanism; Given the EU’s and the Japan`s developed legal systems such a mechanism is not necessary; Recalls that the Belgian government has asked the ECJ to rule on the compatibility of ICS with the EU legal framework; Therefore asks the Commission to wait until the ECJ has ruled on this matter before negotiations with Japan on investment protection continue;

Amendment 198 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism;. Calls upon the parties to rely on their established domestic court systems for disputes arising in the context of investments; insists on the principle of equality before the law for citizens, and domestic and foreign investors.

Amendment 199 #

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism; in whatever form. Calls upon the parties to rely on the domestic courts for disputes arising from the EPA.

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)

– having regard to its recommendations of 13 December 2017 to the Council and the Commission following the inquiry into money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion,

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the EPA is the most important bilateral trade agreement ever concluded by the Union as it covers nearly a third of world GDP;

Amendment 200 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to ~~return to the old, private ISDS mechanis~~include an investment court system or investor-state dispute settlement clause in this agreement; reminds the willingness of EU civil society to exclude the use of such a system;

Amendment 201 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Takes note that~~Calls for negotiations ~~continue~~ on a separate investment agreement ~~and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism~~to be brought to a stop immediately;

Amendment 202 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism~~Calls on the Commission to put a halt to the investment protection agreement negotiations;

Amendment 203 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism; notes that the EU has introduced the Investment Court System (ICS) in agreements with other partners;

Amendment 204 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

18. ~~Takes note~~Follows with interest thate negotiations ~~continue~~ on a separate investment agreement and re~~iterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism~~minds that the EU no longer has a mandate to negotiate the old, private ISDS mechanism; calls, therefore, for a swift conclusion of an investment agreement applying the ICS;

Amendment 205 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement, which the European Parliament will monitor closely, and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism;

Amendment 206 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism;~~ Welcomes the absence of investment protection provisions in the EPA, as these have proven to be highly divisive, unfair and unnecessary; Regrets that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement;

Amendment 207 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. ~~Takes note~~Regrets that thate negotiations ~~continue~~ on a separate investment agreement ~~and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanis~~have not yet finished; notes that the Commission has changed its approach on investment protection to an Investment Court System;

Amendment 208 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Takes note that negotiations continue on a separate investment agreement ~~and reiterates that it is unacceptable to return to the old, private ISDS mechanism~~for which the EU has proposed including the new investment court system pending work on a multilateral investment court;

Amendment 209 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Welcomes the fact that the EPA with Japan includes a separate chapter on SMEs that seeks to enhance much-needed cooperation between the Parties on SME issues and will offer particular benefit to SMEs;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

~~C. whereas Japan is the world’s third largest consumer market but only the sixth export market for the Union, showing the untapped potential of bilateral trade;~~deleted

Amendment 210 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years; ~~calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament~~welcomes the fact that the Parties have reached an adequacy decision on the protection of personal data and calls on the Commission to immediately inform the European Parliament on suspected infringements or problems in the implementation process; calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses the important role of the independent Japanese data protection authority and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) in this;

Amendment 211 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of da~~Welcomes the recognition of each other's data protection systems as 'equivalent'; reiterates its call on the Commission to incorporate into the EU’s trade agreements a horizontal provisions, w~~ith~~hich fully maintains th~~ree years; calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament;~~e right of a party to protect personal data and privacy, provided that such a right is not unjustifiably used to circumvent rules for cross-border data transfers for reasons other than the protection of personal data; considers that such rules and provisions should form part of all new and recently launched trade negotiations with third countries”

Amendment 212 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years; calls on the Commission to~~Regrets that the EPA does not include a provision on the cross-border data transfers; notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess this issue within three years; calls on the Commission to activate this clause while in coming negotiations fully respect ~~the~~ing EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament; notes in this regard that the General Data Protection Regulation is fully compatible with the general exceptions under the GATS;

Amendment 213 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes the draft Commission Implementing Decision of 5 September 2018 pursuant to Regulation 2016/679/EU on the adequate protection of personal data by Japan and notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years; calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament;

Amendment 214 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years; calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament;. Urges the parties to provide safeguards on data protection and privacy with as minimum the protection provided by the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

Amendment 215 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Bernd LANGE, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years; calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament;. Urges the parties to provide safeguards on data protection and privacy with minimally the protection provided by the EU General Data Protection Regulation.

Amendment 216 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes that the agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the issue of cross-border transfer of data provisions within three years and recognises the growing importance of the digital economy for growth and jobs; calls on the Commission to fully respect the EU law on data protection and on the protection of privacy and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament and safeguard EU citizens’ fundamental rights;

Amendment 217 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Bernd LANGE, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes that the ~~agreement includes a rendezvous clause to assess the~~Commission is expected to adopt an adequacy decision during the autumn which is su~~e of~~fficient to ensure cross-border transfer of data ~~provisions within three years; calls on the Commission to~~between the EU and Japan while fully respecting the EU ~~law~~acquis on data protection and on the protection of privacy ~~and stresses that any future outcome must be subject to the consent of Parliament~~, thereby making the activation of the rendez-vous clause of the FTA unnecessary;

Amendment 218 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Calls on the Commission to enhance cooperation and coordination with Japan on multilateral issues, in close cooperation with other strategic partners, to defend and to develop further the global trading system based on the respect of WTO law and other international norms;

Amendment 219 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Welcomes the publication of the draft adequacy decision on Japan, which established that Japan provides a comparable level of protection of personal data to that in the EU; stresses that the free flow of data across borders is a key enabler of the digital economy;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the implementation of the EU-Japan EPA will increase export opportunities for EU businesses, create greater competition, and boost economic growth, as well as bring advantages to consumers by lowering prices and increasing the consumer choice on goods and services;

Amendment 220 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls for the prompt establishment of ~~the SME~~ contact points ~~to make sure that relevant information on market access is made available to small companie~~for citizens, civil society, public actors, and SMEs on the monitoring of the new round of negotiations;

Amendment 221 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls for the prompt establishment of the SME contact points and website to make sure that relevant information on market access is made available to small companies;

Amendment 222 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Recalls that trade agreements should include a Tax Good Governance Clause that would reaffirm the Parties’ commitment to implementation of agreed international standards in the fight against tax evasion and avoidance, on obligations for country-by-country reporting, automatic exchange of information and the establishment of public registers of beneficial ownership; Regrets in this regard the low level of ambition in the EU-Japan agreement;

Amendment 223 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Notes that 78% of the EU companies exporting to Japan are SMEs and that lack of access to information represents a trade barrier, especially for small businesses; welcomes that both the EU and Japan committed to setting up a website which will provide specific information to SMEs on how to access their markets;

Amendment 224 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely the proper implementation of the agreed removal of the NTMs, as well as the management of tariff-rate quotas for agricultural products, and to report back to Parliament, including by providing guarantees that Japanese standards and technical regulations have not been and will not be lowered;

Amendment 225 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely ~~the proper~~whether the implementation of the agreed removal of the NTMs, as well as the management of tariff-rate quotas for agricultural products, lead to adverse effects for the population of Japan or of the Union, and to report back to Parliament;

Amendment 226 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Bernd LANGE, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Commission to monitor closely the proper implementation of the agreed removal of the NTMs, as well as the management of SPS measures, tariff-rate quotas for agricultural products, and tolabelling of goods. Asks the Commission to systematically report back to Parliament;

Amendment 227 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Urges both partners to ensure the active involvement of social partners and civil society in the monitoring and implementation of the EPA, notably through the joint dialogue with civil society and the domestic advisory group; calls on the Commission to actively establish and share best practices with Japan on the functioning of domestic advisory groups and the joint dialogue; calls on both parties to ensure a speedy set-up of well-functioning, effective and balanced domestic advisory groups with a proper code of conduct and to ensure that their views are taken into account in a transparent manner in the government to government consultations foreseen in the agreement;

Amendment 228 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. URegrets the swift ratification procedure that has not allowed for a meaningful involvement of national parliaments in the consideration of the EPA and asks the Commission to foresee an adequate timetable for ratification that also allows for such a meaningful consultation for future ‘EU-only’ FTAs; urges both partners to ensure the active involvement of social partners and civil society in the monitoring and implementation of the EPA, notably through the joint dialogue with civil society and the domestic advisory group;

Amendment 229 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Urges both partners to ensure ~~the~~an active involvement of social partners and civil society in the monitoring and implementation ~~of the EPA~~, notably through the joint dialogue with civil society and the domestic advisory group; calls on the Commission to allocate more resources to these mechanisms and to provide support to ensure constructive participation of civil society; urges the Commission to ensure that a consultative mechanisms is set up on both sides before the entry into force of the agreement;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the agreement achieves a high degree of trade liberalisation aiming to liberalise for the EU 99 % of tariff lines and 100 % of imports and for Japan 97 % of tariff lines and 99 % of imports

Amendment 230 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Urges both partners to ensure the active involvement of social partners and civil society in the ~~monitoring and implementation of the EPA, notably through the joint dialogue with civil society and the domestic advisory group~~negotiations;

Amendment 231 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Urges both partners to ensure the active involvement of social partners and civil society ~~in the monitoring and implementation of the EPA~~, notably through the joint dialogue with civil society and the domestic advisory group;

Amendment 232 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Bernd LANGE, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the EU delegation to Japan is involved in the whole process of implementing the agreement; points out that EU Delegations make it possible for and direct action to be taken for the proper implementation of trade provisions and help to ensure that issues and obstacles are detected quickly and dealt with effectively;

Amendment 233 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Expects full transparency on the functioning of the sectorial committees to be established under the agreement both with regard to the Parliament and the general public;

Amendment 234 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. C~~ommits itself to monitor closely the implementat~~alls for the suspension of ~~the~~all agreement ~~in close cooperation with the Commission, the stakeholders and the Japanese partn~~s, either concluded or still in discussion, as long as sanction based mechanisms are not included in the “trade and sustainable development” chapters;

Amendment 235 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Commits itself to monitor closely the implementation of the agreement in close cooperation with the Commission, the stakeholders and the Japanese partners;~~Rejects the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the economic partnership between the European Union and Japan.

Amendment 236 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Suspends the final vote on the ratification of the EPA until a new text has been presented that well reflects all demands expressed by Parliament in this resolution;

Amendment 24 #

D. whereas it was estimated in the latest June 20168 Impact Assessment made by DG-Trade, that the agreement would deliver positive impacts in terms of ~~GDP, income, trade and employment~~Japanese GDP (+0,61% by2035) and nearly none in terms of European GDP (+0,14% by 2035), trade (+3 days of European exports ; +13 days of Japanese exports by 2035) and employment(less than 190.000 additional jobs by 2035 ; 0,075% of the whole European workforce) for both the Union and Japan, adhering to the objective of ‘“smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’”;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas it was estimated in the 2016 Impact Assessment that the agreement would deliver limited positive impacts in terms of GDP, income, trade and employment for both the Union and Japan, adhering to the objective of ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’; whereas the potential success of a trade agreement should rather be assessed on the basis of its contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

Amendment 27 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas ~~it was estimated in the 2016 Impact Assessment that the agreement w~~the EU-Japan EPA could deliver positive impacts in terms of GDP, income, trade and employment for both the EU~~nion~~ and Japan, if adhering to the objective of ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’; whereas the 2016 Sustainability Impact Assessment evaluates modest economic benefits, estimating a potential GDP growth to +0.76% for the EU and +0.29% for Japan in the long term, under a symmetrical scenario;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas it was estimated in the 20162 Impact Assessment that the agreement would deliver positive impacts in terms of GDP, - but well below 1% GDP growth and over the long term - income, trade and employment for both the Union and Japan, adhering to the objective of ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’; whereas FTAs nowadays targets primarily the elimination or the modification of regulatory measures;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas Japan is so far the only G7 member with no prohibition on imports of illegal timber in spite of being the largest world importer of wood and plywood, the second largest importer of logs and the third largest importer of lumber; whereas the EU FLEGT scheme, which builds on mandatory certification schemes, for imports is a priority policy of the EU; whereas the EU Timber Regulation provides for a prohibition to place illegal timber on the EU market and sets up a mandatory due diligence system; whereas the 2016 Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment on EPA noted that Japan had no formal regulation on controlling imports of illegal wood and wood-based products and that such an issue should be of high priority in the negotiation;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 c (new)

– having regard to the European Economic and Social Committee’s Opinion of 15 February2018 on Trade and sustainable development chapters (TSD) in EU Free Trade Agreements (FTA),

Amendment 30 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas the Sustainability Impact Assessment also raises some questions about potential environmental and food safety related concerns namely with regards to illegal logging and pesticides;

Amendment 31 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. whereas, according to many experts reducing deforestation, especially illegal logging, is the fastest, most effective and least controversial way to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the world; whereas Japan is one of the largest importer of wood products and these imports come -to a significant degree- from places where illegal logging is rife; whereas the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement will fully eliminate tariffs on all wood products;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. whereas the EU and Japan successfully concluded their talks on reciprocal adequacy on 17 July 2018 and they agreed to recognise each other's data protection systems as 'equivalent', which will allow data to flow safely between the EU and Japan;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)

Dc. whereas the EPA has been concluded and signed while negotiations for an investment protection agreement are still ongoing with no clear deadline for their conclusions, which proves that ISDS or ICS are not necessary, notably in the case of two democracies that respect the rule of law;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)

Dd. whereas, in its Resolution on TiSA negotiations, the Parliament has requested that an unequivocal gold standard’ clause should be included in all trade agreements to ensure that the public utilities clause applies to all modes of supply and to any services considered to be public services by European, national or regional authorities, in any sector and irrespective of the service's monopoly status;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)

De. whereas in many areas Japan has followed the approach of setting standards and technical regulations at a level above international ones, such as for instance in the case of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides; whereas the Union has also set standards that are higher than international ones, such as for instance, the Codex Alimentarius;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)

Df. whereas, following the 2008 financial crisis, the tendency to consider the size and expansion of the financial sector as one of the causes of the crisis emerged, as well as a debate on the risks posed to financial stability by the liberalisation of financial services;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. wWhereas Parliament ~~has~~wanted to monitored these negotiations ~~from the start~~, having called in vain for transparency and for negotiators to meet the interests of both citizens and businesses, it appears that trade unions were never listened to ; that businesses got a continuous audience from the Commission, through 190meetings with representatives of corporate groups such as Business Europe and zero meetings with representatives of SME’s; that the DG Trade refused to provide the list of organizations met in 2017, the year of the conclusion of negotiations;

Amendment 38 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI

E. whereas Parliament has monitored these negotiations from the start, having called for transparency and for negotiators to meet the interests of both citizens and businesses; whereas the actual overall level of transparency during the negotiations has been insufficient and no EU textual proposals were published when submitted to the Japanese side; whereas the ratification by national Parliaments is not requested for the EPA, a EU-only agreement;

Amendment 39 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. wWhereas ~~Parliament has monitored these negotiations from the start, having called for transparency and for negotiators to meet~~ sustained criticism and public scepticism towards the method of trade negotiations has led to new increased levels of transparency in other EU trade agreements, with better access to documents, regular reporting on negotiations and improved communications, but further i~~nte~~mprovements are st~~s of both citizens and businesse~~ill necessary such as the publication of the negotiating directives by the Council before starting negotiations of trade agreements;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)

– having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the role of civil society in the EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement of October 2014,

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas Parliament has ~~monitored~~been involved in these negotiations from the start~~, having~~ and has amongst others called for transparency, an ambitious text about the free flow of data and for negotiators to meet the interests of both citizens and businesses;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas Parliament has monitored these negotiations from the start, having called for transparency and for negotiators to meet the interests of ~~both~~ citizens, civil society organisations and businesses;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas Parliament has monitored these negotiations from the start, having called for transparency and for negotiators to meet the interests of ~~both~~ citizens, civil society and businesses;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~Parliament has monitored these negotiations from the start, hav~~the negotiations were held entirely behingd c~~alled for transparency and for negotiators to meet the interests of both citizens and businesses~~losed doors, and that the negotiation mandate given to the Commission by the Council has still not been officially published;

Amendment 44 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas free trade as an essential element of globalisation has been at the centre of public debate, with civil society raising concerns about the possible negative impacts of new generation free trade agreements; whereas different studies using different methodology show divergent results regarding the impact of job creation of these FTAs; whereas in the EU, the effectiveness of existing tools which can help workers who lose their jobs as a result of globalisation or from bilateral trade agreements adapt to new opportunities and changes must be further improved and complemented with additional mechanisms seeking to anticipate negative impacts;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas the Parliament objected in September 2017 to an implementing act1a, aiming at reducing controls on food imports from Fukushima region to the European Union; whereas the European Commission did not take into account Parliament´s objection and adopted the implementing act without justifications or explanations; _________________ 1a Implementing act on the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station.

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas it is crucial that the trade preferences and opportunities opened up by the agreement are accessible and that full use is made of them;

Amendment 47 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)

Eb. whereas the Plenary objected in September 2017 an implementing act1a, aiming at reducing controls on food imports from Fukushima region to the European Union; whereas the European Commission did not take into account Parliament´s objection and issued the implementing act without justification or explanation; _________________ 1a Implementing act on the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers this agreement to be of major strategic importance ~~and that it represents a timely signal in support of open, fair and rules-based trade, while promoting high standards at a time of challenges to the international order~~; notes, however, that in the current context of raising protectionism and citizens’ justified concerns about unfair globalisation, the status quo in trade policy is no longer tenable and regrets the missed opportunity for the EU to introduce new innovative trade rules at these challenging times;

Amendment 49 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers this agreement to be of major strategic importance and that it represents a timely signal in support of open, fair and rules-based trade, while promoting high standards at a time of challenges to the international order; stresses that this agreement will improve productivity, accelerate GDP growth and create jobs in the EU;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)

– having regard to the analysis on the economic impact of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement of the European Commission’s Directorate- General for Trade of June 2018,

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers this agreement to be of major strategic ~~importance and that it repre~~bilateral and international importance which sentds a timely signal in support of the EU's open, en fair ~~and rul~~, values- based trade~~, while promoting high standards at a time of challenges to the international order;~~ agenda and is a way to set high global standards in the field of the environment, food safety and labour rights

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers this agreement to be of major strategic importance and that it could represents a timely signal in support of open, fair and rules-based trade, ~~while promoting high standards at a time of challenges to the international order~~but regrets that it fails to properly address the necessity to rebalance the EU’s trade strategy towards sustainable development;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers this agreement to be of major strategic importance, for both Parties and on a global scale, and that it represents a timely signal in support of open, fair and rules-based trade, while promoting high standards at a time of serious challenges to the international order;

Amendment 53 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Considers this agreement to be of ~~major~~ strategic importance a~~nd that it represents a timely signal in support of open, fair and rules-based trade, while promoting high standards at a time of challenges to the international ord~~t a time of challenges to the international order and of raising nationalist protectionism; warns that such protectionism is not an option but stresses that a business as usual trade agenda cannot be an option either;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Stresses that liberalisation of the financial sector by the EPA is very broad, as it includes all finance-related positions, and all financial products and innovations; recalls that among these products were the particularly toxic assets which were at the centre of the 2008 global financial crisis; warns that in combination with the opaque regulatory cooperation system, which has been agreed by the negotiators and which is aimed at reducing the costs and regulatory burdens for private operators. Underlines the need both in the European Union and Japan for far- reaching and effective financial regulation directed at strengthening control mechanism, guaranteeing transparency and access to information in order to preserve financial market stability.

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Is very concerned that the scope of liberalisation of financial services by the EPA will prove to be too broad, as it includes all finance-related positions, and all financial products and innovations; recalls that among these products were the particularly toxic assets which were at the centre of the 2008 global financial crisis; warns that in combination with the opaque regulatory cooperation system, which has been agreed by the negotiators and which is aimed at reducing the costs and regulatory burdens for private operators, it may become highly challenging to prevent the next financial crises; underlines the need both in the European Union and Japan for far-reaching and effective financial regulation in order to preserve financial market stability.

Amendment 56 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS, Joachim SCHUSTER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that EU trade agreements should be put in the service of sustainable development for the many and to protect consumers, workers and the environment, to create decent jobs, uphold EU standards, safeguarding public services and respecting democratic procedures whilst boosting EU export opportunities; therefore a fundamental change in the current trade paradigm is of utmost importance, putting sustainability on equal footing with economic interests;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Regrets that a private or international investor-state dispute settlement court has once again been negotiated by the Commission; demands that all negotiations still under way on this issue be immediately closed;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that the EPA will serve as an important complement to the joint commitment of the European Union and Japan to an open and strong multilateral trading system and forthcoming reform of the World Trade Organisation;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes positively the ambitious and comprehensive nature of the EPA, which delivers on the priorities set out in European Parliament resolution of 25 October 2012 on EU trade negotiations with Japan;deleted

Amendment 6 #

– having regard to the non-paper of Commission services ‘Feedback and way forward on improving the implementation and enforcement of Trade and Sustainable Development chapters in EU Free Trade Agreements’,

Amendment 60 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes ~~positively~~ the ambitious and comprehensive nature of the EPA, which partly delivers on the priorities set out in European Parliament resolution of 25 October 2012 on EU trade negotiations with Japan; albeit this EPA does not reflect the European Parliament’s most recent demands for the inclusion of binding and enforceable labour, environmental and corporate social responsibility standards in trade agreements; notes that Japan had agreed to such binding and enforceable standards in the 2016 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TTP) agreement, which demonstrates clearly that failure to include similar provisions in the EU- Japan EPA rests with the European Commission;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes ~~positively the ambitious and~~the comprehensive nature of the EPA, which delivers on ~~the~~a number of priorities set out in European Parliament resolution of 25 October 2012 on EU trade negotiations with Japan; deplores that negotiators repeated a number of mistakes made in CETA which were strongly criticised by civil society, amongst which the inclusion of ICS mechanism, no access for the public to EU offers in the negotiations;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Notes positively~~Welcomes the ambitious and comprehensive nature of the EPA, which delivers on the priorities set out in European Parliament resolution of 25 October 2012 on EU trade negotiations with Japan;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes ~~positively~~ the ambitious and comprehensive nature of the EPA, which delivers on the priorities set out in European Parliament resolution of 25 October 2012 on EU trade negotiations with Japan;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes in particular the ambitious level of tariff liberalisation, combined with measures to safeguard the most sensitive products through duty-free quotas, reduced duties or staging periods; points out that the EU tariff on automobiles will be phased out over seven years; calls on the Commission to keep an eye on trends in automobile trade flows over this period in order to predict any destabilisation of the European market and address the situation in these cases;

Amendment 68 #

3. Notes in particular the ambitious level of tariff liberalisation, combined with measures to safeguard the products most sensitive ~~products~~for the European Union through duty-free quotas, reduced duties or staging periods, while with the exception of rice, many products sensitive for Japanese farmers and food producers will face competition from EU exports; points out that the EU tariff on automobiles will be phased out over seven years;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes in particular the ambitious level of tariff liberalisation (tariffs on more than 90% of the EU's exports to Japan will be eliminated at the entry into force of the EU-Japan EPA), combined with measures to safeguard the most sensitive products through duty-free quotas, reduced duties or staging periods; points out that the EU tariff on automobiles will be phased out over seven years;

Amendment 7 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12

– having regard to Opinion 2/15 of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 16 May 2017, pursuant to Article 218(11) on the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), requested by the European Commission on 10 July 2015, in particular paragraph 161;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes in particular the ambitious level of tariff liberalisation, and underlines the importance to combined them with measures to safeguard the most sensitive agricultural and non- agricultural products, through duty-free quotas, ~~reduced duties~~duties, transitional or staging periods; points out that the EU tariff on automobiles will be phased out over seven years;

Amendment 71 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes ~~positively that Japan has addressed unnecessary~~that European commercial stakeholders have used the desperate situation of Japan following several environmental and man-made disasters and the conclusion of the EU - Korea agreement, to present two lists non-tariff measures (NTMs) these companies wanted to disappear in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, food labelling and cosmetics, and that obedience of Japan was declared a precondition for entering in direct negotiations of this trade agreement; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with UNECE international standards used also by EU car manufacturers;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes ~~positively~~ that Japan has addressed unnecessary non-tariff measures (NTMs) in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, food labelling and cosmetics; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with international standards used by EU car manufacturers; is aware that this is still an ongoing process and recalls that a country’s right to set national standards at a level that is higher than international ones should be fully respected; asks the Commission to provide guarantees that Japan has not lowered and will not lower its standards through this FTA;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes positively that Japan has addressed unnecessary non-tariff measures (NTMs) in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, food labelling and cosmetics; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with international standards used by EU car manufacturers; stresses that this reduces compliance costs for EU businesses who export to Japan, and creates a more predictable regulatory environment for EU agricultural exports by addressing sanitary and phytosanitary measures;

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes positively that Japan has addressed unnecessary non-tariff measures (NTMs) in a variety of sectors such as vehicles, food additives, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, food labelling and cosmetics; takes note as well of Japan’s commitment to align its automotive standards even more with international standards used by EU car manufacturers;

Amendment 76 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

Amendment 77 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Highlights that more than two thirds of all Japanese-brand vehicles sold in the EU are manufactured in the EU, and that Japanese-brand vehicles made in the EU are exported to third countries; points out that the removal of tariffs can boost production and jobs;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 cities, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts; insist that in the European Union as well in Japan, public procurement must continue to serve the best interest of the citizens; underlines the importance of access to public services for citizens;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 cities, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts; insist that in the Union as well in Japan, public procurement must continue to serve the best interest of the citizens; underlines the importance of access to public services for citizens;

Amendment 8 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

– having regard to the European Parliament resolution containing the European Parliament’s recommendations to the Commission on the negotiations for the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) of 3 February 2016;

Amendment 80 #

5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 cities, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts; calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of this point closely to ensure that the commitments made in the areas of openness and access to public procurement are respected;

Amendment 81 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 cities, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts; stresses that ecological and social criteria, including gender equality criteria, should be applied in awarding public procurement contracts;

Amendment 82 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI, Aleksander GABELIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 cities, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts; Reminds Japan commitment to equally treat EU companies and Japanese State-owned enterprises on the service market;

Amendment 83 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of ~~48 cities~~54 core cities, and may enlarge the number of cities covered even further, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts;

Amendment 84 #

Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Christophe HANSEN, Iuliu WINKLER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the fact that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 “core” cities, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts;

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Welcomes the fact~~Notes that Japan will, notably, grant non-discriminatory access for EU suppliers to the procurement markets of 48 cities, remove the ‘operational safety clause’, which has in practise prevented EU rail suppliers to access the Japanese market, and maximise transparency in tendering for public contracts;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Notes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese~~, and that i~~; warns that a dramatic increase of EU food products entering the Japanese market would put the livelihoods of Japanese farmers and small-scale food producers at stake and emphasises the need for a safety-net of efficient and fast safeguard measures; notes that the agreement protects only 205 European geographical indications out of thousands, and calls for a continuation of talks after three years in order to evaluate the options for increasing the list of protected GIs;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Notes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese~~, and that it protects 205 European geographical indication~~; warns that a dramatic increase of EU food products entering the Japanese market would put the livelihoods of Japanese farmers and small-scale food producers at stake and emphasises the need for a safety-net of efficient and fast safeguard measures; welcomes that the agreement protects 205 European geographical indications, and calls for a continuation of talks after three years in order to evaluate the options for increasing the list of protected GIs;

Amendment 88 #

Pedro SILVA PEREIRA, Alessia Maria MOSCA, David MARTIN, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat, beef and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications; points out that processed agricultural products such as pasta and chocolate will also enjoy duty-free entry to the Japanese market over a transitional period;

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications (GIs), with the possibility to add further GIs, which is particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector;

Amendment 9 #

Jarosław WAŁĘSA, Christophe HANSEN, Iuliu WINKLER

Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)

– having regard to the European Commission 15-point plan to make EU trade and sustainable development chapters more effective of 26 February 2018;

Amendment 90 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. WConsiders that Japan is a highly valuable export market for European farmers and food producers, and welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications;

Amendment 91 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Notes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications; expects the agreement to pay the utmost attention to local producers and family farming on both sides;

Amendment 92 #

Daniel CASPARY

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications, which constitutes a further improvement in comparison to previous trade agreements;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes that the agreement provides significant export opportunities for EU agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects ~~205~~only 205 of more than 1200 European geographical indications ;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Notes that the agreement ~~provides significant export opportunities for EU~~will make it easier for the EU to export agri-food products, such as wine, pig meat and cheese, and that it protects 205 European geographical indications;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

Amendment 96 #

Karoline GRASWANDER-HAINZ, Ana GOMES, Emmanuel MAUREL, Maria ARENA, Eric ANDRIEU, Agnes JONGERIUS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Highlight~~Notes the fact that the agreement promotes best practices ~~for providing~~regarding food safety and ~~high-quality food and products for consumers; calls on both partners to mainstream~~consumer protection; Recalls that the Sustainability impact assessment states that Japan’s use of fertilisers and pesticides per square kilometre of agricultural land remains well above the OECD averages, raising the question of residue loads in Japanese food; calls on both partners to apply the highest standards of consumer protection and food safety in the implementation of the agreement;

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Highlights the fact that the agreement promotes best practices for providing safe and high-quality food and products for consumers; calls on both partners to ~~mainstream~~enhance consumer protection in the implementation of the agreement and to place the interests of consumers at the heart of the EPA; stresses that the agreement shall under no circumstances jeopardize precise, understandable and EU compliant food labelling;

Amendment 98 #