Madam, - The European Union is currently negotiating bilateral trade deals with some of the world's poorest countries. Christian Aid believes that these deals, called Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), will force poor countries into trade policies that will undo the achievements of last year's debt cancellation and aid packages. Poor farmers and vulnerable producers will be pushed into direct competition with rich nations, including Ireland.
Last Thursday overseas development agencies, including Christian Aid, and representatives of African, Caribbean and Pacific governments gathered in Brussels to voice their concerns about these deals directly to European member-states.
We must stop these unfair trade deals in their current form before poor countries around the world are forced to trade away their future. The Irish Government should use its influence to make these deals work for, and not against, development.
We do not want to see an undermining of Ireland's positive achievements towards making poverty history.
- Yours, etc,
ADRIAN HORSMAN, Communications and Media Manager, Christian Aid, Clanwilliam Terrace, Dublin 2.