Objections as EU-US trade talks continue

Fears that Europeans will be forced to accept inferior and dangerous food, such as chlorine-treated chickens, has led to a raft of objections to the ongoing EU-US trade agreement negotiations.

The 12th round of negotiations began in Brussels on Monday with Greenpeace protesting and delaying the start of the talks. But the objections are EU-wide and with both sides now pushing to get agreement on the massive trade deal by July so President Barak Obama can get it signed before the end of his term, pressure is mounting on all sides.

One of the big issues highlighted by most objectors, including the Irish-based People’s Movement, is that the EU will be forced to drop its precautionary principle — which says if there is a doubt about the safety of a food or product then it should not be included.