EU Free Trade Agreement with Peru and Colombia seminar
22 December 2015
On Thursday 26 November 2015, the House of Lords External Affairs Sub-Committee held a seminar on the implementation of the EU Free Trade Agreement with Peru and Colombia, focusing on its provisions on labour standards, human rights and environmental protection.
Presentations
The Committee heard presentations by:
- Nikos Zaimis, Deputy Head of Unit, Unit D1 – Trade and Sustainable Development and Generalised System of Preferences, DG Trade, European Commission
- Koen Warmenbol, Policy Officer - Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Coalition of the Flemish North-South Movement - 11.11.11
- Louise Winstanley, Programme & Advocacy Manager, AB Colombia
- Hannah Clayton, Human Rights Adviser, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
These were followed by an open discussion and Q&A session with the audience.
Discussion and themes
During the discussion between the Committee, speakers and other attendees, a range of issues were raised:
- Sustainable development provisions are actively negotiated with partner countries by the EU as part of its promotion of values through trade policy. This is not a simple task: partner countries are often initially suspicious of such provisions.
- The implementation of the sustainable development provisions is key, and there is a role for EU institutions, Member States and civil society in monitoring this process.
- Improving rights and standards is a long term process in all countries. Potential violations of labour and environmental standards relate to domestic legal provisions in the countries, and it can be difficult for the Commission to determine when a change reflects a weakening of laws, and when amendments are consistent with practices also found in EU Member States.
- EU FTAs do not provide for sanctions relating to their sustainable development provisions, which may weaken their leverage.
- EU businesses are the beneficiaries of FTAs, and Member States have a particular role in ensuring that their businesses are compliant with the standards laid out in the agreements.
Related documents
- Summary of the Seminar on the EU Free Trade Agreement with Peru and Colombia: Labour Standards, Human Rights and Environmental Protection
- Letter from Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, to the Committee, 18 January 2016
- Letter from the Committee to Lord Maude of Horsham, Minister for Trade and Investment, 17 December 2015
- European Commission: EU and the Andean Community
- European Commission: Trade for all - Towards a more responsible trade and investment policy (PDF)
Further information
Image: PA