TPPA will remove consumer rights
“The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement is the biggest threat to consumer rights New Zealand has ever seen” says Debbie
Swanwick, Spokesperson, Soil & Health – Organic NZ.
Her comments come following the closure of the 15th round of TPPA negotiations at Sky City, Auckland recently.
Over a hundred and fifty protestors gathered at Sky City during the negotiations, to present a petition signed by
750,000 world citizens against the TPPA which organisers refused to accept.
One of the implications of the TPPA, with regard to food, is that consumers will be denied the right to know what is in
their food. "Current labelling laws will be revoked for fear of prosecution by investor interests should a label, for
example identifying ingredients as genetically engineered, negatively impact their profits" says Swanwick.
Protests throughout the country have demonstrated the level of public discontent on the issue which has also attracted
comment from public representatives, in agreement, in local council.
“We recently elected a new Auckland Council that wants to build resilient communities across the region, support local
business and retain our public assets. I believe a TPPA would pose a barrier to those three laudable roles and give
foreign investors too much power in New Zealand' said Auckland Councillor Cathy Casey of the TPPA.
A poll conducted by Consumer Link in mid November expressed public concern around the lack of transparency around the
TPPA. Sixty five percent of New Zealanders think the Government should make the contents of the agreement public before
the negotiations are completed.
“The lack of public consultation and a lack of response despite repeated calls for the release of draft documents is
undemocratic and does not deliver on a governance mandate to serve the interests of the public. A leaked draft of the
legislation affords powers to investors over consumers. As it currently stands, precursor legislation currently affords
investors 88% of all claims against governments, which is paid by the taxpayer. Placing profits before people has never
been acceptable behaviour” says Swanwick.
Soil & Health is one of the oldest organic organisations in the world and promote fresh, healthy, organic food - GE, pesticide
and additive free and advocate for consumers rights. Oranga Nuku, Oranga Kai Oranga Tangata.
ENDS