20/04/2006 6:03:23 pm
Free Is Fair. Today, the European Parliament was said to decide about a proposal that the EU should decide the terms of what kind of trade is "fair" and "sustanable". I e the definitions that the so-called Fair Trade Movement has provided. Now, this is just a proposal saying that the EU Commission should investigate how to do this. And any real proposal must also be decided by the Member States in the Council. But history teaches that what may seem to be very far from reality may be picked up by someone and soon turn out as an issue for a real decision.

This particular policy, of course part of the protectionist wave rolling out all over Europe now, would be devastating. Not only for Europe and world trade, and hence the global economy, but mostly for poor countries. They are the losers when rich countries don′t trade freely but demand certain conditions. It is therefore essential to watch this development closely already today.

Read the draft proposal here - >