Friends of the Earth | Press release

Mandelson’s trade legacy puts forests and livelihoods at risk - new report

20 October 2008

African countries will be locked into an economic model based on the export of raw materials that could have a devastating impact on forests and wildlife, if new EU trade deals shaped by former trade commissioner Peter Mandelson are signed - according to a new report published by Friends of the Earth today (Monday 20 October 2008).

As Baroness Ashton prepares to take on the role of Trade Commissioner, Friends of the Earth is urging a re-think of Europe’s new Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) pioneered by her predecessor Peter Mandelson. New research by the environmental group shows the agreements will put forests at risk by forcing African countries to lift rules that limit the export of logs and other unprocessed raw materials - preventing them from using these laws to protect forests, wildlife and domestic industries.

Friends of the Earth’s trade campaigner Sarah-Jayne Clifton said:

"Baroness Ashton should re-think the damaging policies put in place by her predecessor Peter Mandelson."

"Economic Partnership Agreements will deepen the economic crisis faced by African countries and put some of the world’s richest forests, their wildlife and the people who depend on them at risk."

"The EU needs a new trade strategy which takes into account the needs of poor countries and allows them to protect their economies and environment from the worst excesses of the market."

The EU is also using EPAs to resurrect investment liberalisation policies previously rejected by developing countries at WTO talks, a move which would allow European corporations increased access to African countries’ forests, fisheries, agriculture and other natural resources such as oil and gas. The new trade deals will also require governments to lift tariffs on European imports, threatening many of Africa’s infant industries causing job losses, worsening poverty and increasing pressure on natural resources.

The report calls for a new approach to our trading relationship with developing countries that fosters fair and sustainable development. Friends of the Earth believes EPAs should be scrapped and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries allowed to implement their own policies to protect the environment, promote development and reduce poverty.

Download the report here: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/undercutting_africa.pdf