University of Manchester's Sectoral Studies on Agriculture, Distribution Studies and Forests for the European Commission (DG Trade)

Kim Bizzarri of Friends of the Earth - Europe (FoEE) wrote:

Yesterday the European Commission (DG Trade) presented three independent sector studies (on agriculture, distribution services and forests) carried out by the University of Manchester on behalf of the Commission (see links below for downloading the studies...).

The studies prove very interesting in undermining the validity of the 'win-win' claims of economic liberalisation since they identify several negative impacts of liberalisation both on the environment and developing countries. The studies also stress the need to strengthen (and not weaken) domestic regulation as the fundamental pre-requisite for liberalisation, since it's impacts would otherwise prove damaging in most of the cases. A number of developing coutrnies' case studies were undertaken.

The Commission is allowing for input to be provided in writing. Eurocommerce, as well as the Free Trade Association have informed that they will provide comments to the reports. It would be important therefore that, if you have input to make, that you do so.

Comments are to be sent in the form of an e-mail (sia-trade@man.ac.uk) by Thursday 2nd June.

I hope you find the studies of interest, FoEE certainly did (we released a press statement yesterday on the environmental impacts (http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2005/AW_19_May_2005_EU_WTO.htm)

Overall project final report for sector studies
http://www.sia-trade.org/wto/FinalOverallApr05.pdf

Draft Final Report for the Forest Sector Study
http://www.sia-trade.org/wto/ForestDraftFinalReport_v1_2_270205.pdf

Final Report for the Distribution Service Study
http://www.sia-trade.org/wto/DistServicesFR_130405.pdf

Final Report for the Agriculture Sector Study
http://www.sia-trade.org/wto/AgricultureFRApr05.pdf