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What now for the Trade Justice Campaign?2005 was a remarkable year. Never before has poverty dominated the public debate as it did in the year that saw the G8 meet in Edinburgh and the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong. Record numbers of people in the UK became involved with the campaign to Make Poverty History, delivering a clear message to their political leaders that it is unacceptable that the gap between the world’s rich and poor is wider than ever. The campaign focussed on the three key demands of trade justice, more and better aid and dropping the debt. That campaign is now over and there will be many debates over its strategies, successes and failures. In Herne Hill and Dulwich we have focussed on the subject of Trade Justice, the most complex area of anti-poverty campaigning, and clearly the campaign against the structures that keep people poor, such as unfair trading rules and irresponsible corporate practices, must go on in 2006. Last year’s G8 meeting made small progress on debt and aid, but had very little to offer on trade issues, so we were told to wait for December and the WTO meeting in Hong Kong which could have been a turning point. Outrageously, the developed countries, particularly the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), tried to use the WTO meeting to aggressively push forward their agenda to open the markets in developing countries for the interests of their corporations. This shameful abuse of power showed no respect for poor countries' right to decide their own trade policies to help lift millions of people out of poverty and stop environmental damage. It also directly contravenes the 2001 Doha agreement that this round of talks should be biased in favour of poor countries, so that they have a better chance of using trade as a way out of poverty. Rich countries did not end the dumping of their agricultural products in developing countries. The EU and US have retained domestic agricultural subsidies that damage poor and vulnerable farmers in developing countries. Given this, the agreed date for ending export subsidies of 2013 amounts to a symbolic gesture. Agricultural export subsidies, account for only 5 per cent of the $300 billion spent by developed countries to support their agricultural industries. Until the dumping of all subsidised crops and products on to poor countries' markets is ended, small-scale farmers face worsening poverty. In one area trade justice campaigners have been calling for, special measures to protect vulnerable farmers in poor countries from liberalisation, there was some useful progress. Despite standing together, the demands and concerns of developing countries have been repeatedly sidelined. However, it is encouraging to see the solidarity shown across developing countries. A poll of African delegates at the meeting found that two-thirds of them felt that their economies would suffer if they accepted what was on offer. As the WTO reconvenes at its headquarters in Geneva, there is a real need to continue to press the UK Government to act on all issues we are calling for - not just agriculture - in order to deliver trade justice as negotiations continue. It is vital that the UK Government use its influence within the EU to deliver a fair deal in these talks. We are not satisfied with empty rhetoric and political posturing. We need to see that they have a concrete understanding of the issues and the actions they must take to deliver trade justice. So the end of the Hong Kong WTO meeting marks the start of the next phase of the Trade Justice Movement’s global campaign for trade justice. We need to push for the best possible outcome from the ongoing trade talks in Geneva, so please do write to your MP or to Alan Johnson, Minister at the Department for Trade and Industry (addresses at the end). Letters really do make an impact, so please let the UK Government know that trade justice is an ongoing campaign, not just a passing phase. From March the Trade Justice Movement will be lobbying about the new Company Law Reform Bill. It is the biggest shake-up of company law in decades. But at the moment, the Government’s proposals tell companies to put profits first. There is no obligation for companies to take steps to protect the health, environment and livelihoods of poor communities in the UK and overseas who are affected by their operations. That is the next target for local campaigning, we’ll also be working to establish a campaigning partnership with a community in Ghana that has been affected by unfair trade rules, please do get in touch if you’d like to be involved. Contact Caroline Bradley for more information at: carolinebradley@blueyonder.co.uk or Trade Justice Movement website: www.tjm.org.uk Addresses for letters: Right Hon Tessa Jowell, MP Right Hon Alan Johnson, MP Caroline Bradley |
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