TTIP Action week

For over two years, the US and the European Union are negotiating the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). This week, SOMO (among others) calls for action by co-organising a TTIP action week.

Feiten & Fabels

What exactly is being discussed (Dutch explanation) during these negotiations, we don’t know; the negotiations are held in secret. But what are the consequences for the Netherlands, for European employees and for the environment? Big companies want this free trade agreement, but what’s in it for the rest of us? How rose-tinted is the bigger picture? Or how bleak? SOMO thinks this agreement includes several critical issues that pose a threat to democracy and the rule of law. This Friday (April 18^th), there is a global day of action against TTIP, with many demonstrations and campaigns worldwide. In the run up to this day, SOMO participates in organising a Dutch TTIP action week, together with other foundations including Milieudefensie, TNI and Both Ends. During this week various activities have been organised:

April 15^th (20:00 – 22:00), Wageningen University

Farmersdebate: Consequences of TTIP for agriculture and climate, including alternatives

On April 15^th, representatives of different farmer organisations will debate about the consequences of the free-trade arrangement TTIP. Will TTIP create more welfare and employment on both sides of the ocean, or will it cause deregulation in environmental and food security standards and the closure of European family businesses in the agriculture? Besides the consequences for the Dutch agriculture, the debate will also focus on TTIP’s consequences for the environment. Furthermore, an alternative agreement and the possibility to launch a joint TTIP-climate campaign will be discussed. Click here(opens in new window) for more info.

April 17^th (20:00 – 22:00), Volkshotel Amsterdam

Debate: Would you like a cup of TTIP?

This Friday, a debate will be held about TTIP’s consequences for the Netherlands, for European employees and for the environment. What’s in it for us? Among others, Jeronim Capaldo (Economist at the ILO and Senior Researcher at Tufts University), Agnes Jongerius (MEP for the PvdA) and Catalene Passchier (vice-president of the Dutch Labour Union FNV) will take place in this debate. Although the tickets are sold out, it is still possible to watch the debate through our livestream this Friday at 20.00 here(opens in new window) . More information about the event can be found here(opens in new window) .

STOP TTIP petition

STOP TTIP is a self-organised European Citizens’ Initiative against TTIP and CETA. The petition collects signatures to call on the institutions of the European Union and its member states to stop the negotiations with the USA on TTIP and not to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada. You can sign the petition here(opens in new window) .

Read more

• Publication: Feiten en Fabels (Dutch only) – A critical look on seven important presuppositions about TTIP.