Kirkwall campaigners voice concerns against trade deal
Twenty volunteers from several Orkney groups were on the streets of Kirkwall on Saturday as part of a UK-wide day of action campaigning against a major trade deal being negotiated between the European Union and the USA.
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is being thrashed out between EU and US officials. The aim is to break down what they claim are barriers to trade, but opponents are warning of serious threats to public services, food standards, the NHS, farming and the environment.
They warn that the TTIP deal would give corporations the chance to sue governments if laws were passed that damaged their profitability, adding that Britain would be open to a flood of cheap food imports causing serious damage particularly to the beef industry, while the NHS and other public services could face privatisation regardless of government policy at Westminster or Holyrood.
Members of Orkney Greens, council workers from Unison, Yes Orkney and other individuals spoke to passers-by and collected signatures for a protest petition – which has been signed by 2.5m European citizens so far – outside St Magnus’ Cathedral.
One of the organisers Chris Giles said he was delighted with the response to the first protest in Orkney, but concerned at how little the public knew about the TTIP deal.
“It was an excellent turnout from several organisations which was very encouraging,” said Chris. “We were very surprised at how few people we spoke to had heard of TTIP and were alarmed when it was explained to them. TTIP is a threat to public services and to farming – two of the biggest employers in the islands.
“We will be having another, larger action in the coming weeks to press home the message that this is a bad deal for Orkney, Scotland, the UK and Europe.”
Further information on TTIP and how to get involved in the campaign can be found at http://www.globaljustice.org.