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Ghana: Poultry sector to be hardest hit by EPAs, stakeholders kick against it
24-Sep-2007 AllAfrica.com
For the last few years, the Ghanaian market has been flooded with cheap imported chicken from the European Union and the United States. These are usually fatty chicken parts that come in packages without labels. Demand for local poultry has collapsed, threatening the livelihoods of over 1,000 poultry farmers in both small and large-scale poultry farming in Ghana. The current situation will be compounded when the EPAs take effect in 2008 with the removal of tariffs across board.
This is the way some agreements should end
24-Sep-2007 IPS
Elaborate funeral rituals were performed in central Brussels over the past week to show how a planned free trade accord between the European Union and the Korean government should, in the view of anti-poverty campaigners, be buried.
Senate panel gives initial okay to Peru trade deal
24-Sep-2007 Reuters
The US Senate Finance Committee approved on Friday a draft of a free trade agreement with Peru. Sen. Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat and critic of most trade deals, urged colleagues to support the agreement as a bulwark against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an ardent foe of the United States.
Development challenges of competition policy in the Economic Partnership Agreements
24-Sep-2007
A brief critique of the EU’s proposal on Competition Policy in the EPAs.
Costa Rica dealt wild card in trade pact rift
22-Sep-2007 LA Times
With just over two weeks to go before Costa Ricans head to the polls to vote on a free-trade agreement with the United States and six other countries, Alfredo Volio should be a happy man. As head of the "yes" campaign championing the pact, known as CAFTA, he has watched public support climb in recent months. But that was before a memo written by CAFTA advocates was leaked to the public this month, fueling outrage here.
Draft EU-ECOWAS EPA (April 2007)
22-Sep-2007
Draft EU-SADC EPA (EU proposal, June 2007)
22-Sep-2007
Draft EU-ESA EPA (July 2007)
22-Sep-2007
European and Korean social movements and civil society unite against the ‘Global Europe’ strategy and the South Korea-EU FTA
21-Sep-2007
On the occasion of the 3rd round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between South Korea and the EU taking place from 17th till 21st September in Brussels, Belgium, members of the Korean Alliance against Korea-EU FTA (KoA) and members from social movements and civil society organisations from Europe have come together to join forces and struggle together against the Global Europe strategy and the Korea-EU FTA.
Joint EU-Korea business statement
21-Sep-2007
From the Korea FTA Industry Alliance and BUSINESSEUROPE
US report predicts more export increase than import from Korea FTA
21-Sep-2007 Yonhap News
An independent report from the US International Trade Commission on the South Korea-US free trade agreement gives rosy predictions of the deal as one that benefits the US more than South Korea.
Economic Partnership Agreements - no plan B?
21-Sep-2007 AllAfrica.com
The European Union Trade Commissioner, Peter Mandelson, said the EU would not engage in an alternative strategy concerning African, Caribbean and Pacific trade relations with Europe at the World Trade Organisation, stressing that there is definitely "no Plan B" for EU trade relations with the ACP. New Era spoke to trade analyst, Wallie Roux, wherein he responds in his personal capacity to Mandelson’s assertions.
Concern rises over EU bilaterals with developing countries
20-Sep-2007 IP Watch
Concern is growing in both Europe and developing countries about whether a series of free trade agreements slated for signature later this year will contain overly stringent rules on intellectual property.
Santiago sees ‘dead’ JPEPA if gov’t won’t explain benefits
20-Sep-2007 Inquirer
Philippine government negotiators have failed anew to answer basic questions from senators on the benefits of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) to the country. During today’s hearing, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairman of the committee on foreign relations, told government negotiators: “If I find it impossible to defend it on the Senate on the basis of your statement, then as chair, I will be compelled to defer submission of my committee reports. In other words, JPEPA will be dead.”
Militant groups picket Senate in time for JPEPA hearing
20-Sep-2007 Philippine Star
Cause-oriented groups under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Thursday picketed the Philippine Senate to coincide with hearings on the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
Costa Rica CAFTA referendum on October 7!!!
20-Sep-2007 IndyBay Media
Unable to gain public and legislative support for CAFTA amidst broad-based public opposition, the Costa Rican government has set up a referendum vote on CAFTA on October 7. It will be a "yes" or "no" vote. Hear a 28 minute audio piece, a segment of the video documentary, "Costa Rica, Inc." for an indepth analysis of why opposition is so strong in that country.
S. Korean cattle breeders protest US beef
20-Sep-2007 Cattle Network
Some 7,000 South Korean cattle farmers converged near the National Assembly in Seoul on Tuesday to protest the government’s pending free-trade agreement with the United States.
China to lend Congo $5 billion in latest Africa foray
20-Sep-2007 Reuters
The draft accord signed on Monday foresees Chinese companies gaining copper/cobalt, gold and nickel concessions under repayment deals that would also include toll revenues from the roads and railways to be constructed.
Flower industry may wilt if EPA deadline is missed
20-Sep-2007 AllAfrica.com
Kenya faces tariff increases of between two and 24 percent on its exports to the European Union if it fails to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU by the end of the year.
EU hardens stance in trade talks with Korea
20-Sep-2007 Chosun Ilbo
Free trade talks between Korea and the EU have hit an unexpected snag after the EU turned from a generous negotiating partner in the first two rounds into a stubborn, picky one in the third round.