Stop the unfair trade deal with Central America

The World Development Movement is calling on the EU to stop an unfair trade deal with Central America. The campaigners are concerned that the EU is rushing through negotiations in secret to seal a trade deal that could increase poverty and inequality in an already poor region.

Vicky Cann, trade policy officer at the World Development Movement said:

"Central American governments and campaigners are voicing serious concerns over this deal because of the fear that it could increase poverty in the region. But it seems that the EU is insistent that it is completed and is really piling on the pressure to get a conclusion this summer. It is outrageous that the details of these negotiations are secret, as it denies democratic scrutiny and accountability to parliaments and citizens.

"There is a lot of evidence that free trade deals like this one could result in significant job losses amongst producers of manufactured goods; reduced government income from trade taxes to invest in public services, like health and education; reduced access to cheap medicines for the poorest people; reduced access to financial services for low income communities and small businesses. It is also likely that women will be disproportionately negatively affected."

The last round of negotiations that took place in April this year were halted when Nicaragua walked out. Although, the Nicaraguan government has now agreed to take part in the next round of negotiations, some Central American governments are understood to continue to have significant reservations over the EU's far reaching proposals.

The World Development Movement is calling on people to Email the European negotiators working on the deal and ask them to put the brakes on these negotiations.

For more information, please call Kate Blagojevic on 020 7820 4900

Kate Blagojevic
Press officer, World Development Movement
0207 820 4900/4913, 07711 875 345, Email: kate.blagojevic@wdm.org.uk