This Thursday 21st May, at 7:30pm at RISC in Reading, five MEP candidates for our region will be answering questions about their positions on EU trade policies and their effects on the poor in developing countries, as well as their positions on introducing a ‘Green New Deal’ across Europe to address problems of trade, jobs and environmental justice. A busload of Oxford WDM campaigners will be leaving from Norfolk Street at 6pm to ask some challenging questions of the candidates.
Representatives from groups such as Oxford World Development Movement (WDM), Reading International Solidarity Centre and other social justice and environmental campaign groups, are campaigning with the Trade Justice Movement to stop the EU pushing unfair trade deals with poor countries that will exploit their people and the environment. They are asking the MEPs to sign a pledge aimed at enabling developing countries to protect local food production and key natural resources like forests from the worst excesses of the market. Two of the MEPs for the region, the Greens’ Caroline Lucas and the Lib Dems’ Sharon Bowles have already signed the pledge.
Caroline Lucas, Green MEP, said: "I have signed the pledge to stop Europe's unfair trade deals because I believe that Europe should prioritise development, environmental sustainability and human rights in poor countries. If I'm elected I will do everything I can to make sure this happens."
The proposed deals could lead to more dumping of European products on developing countries, putting farmers and home grown industries out of business. The Trade Justice Movement is calling on the European Commission to review Europe’s trade strategy and place the interests of the world’s poorest countries ahead of profits for Europe’s biggest companies.
Julieanne Porter from Oxford WDM said: "It's very encouraging that these two MEPs have pledged to support our campaign to put an end to unfair trade deals. Europe is trying to negotiate trade deals that will hurt people and the environment in developing countries, so I am looking forward to hearing what the other parties - the Conservatives, Labour and UKIP - would do about these issues if they were voted into power."
To book a free place on the bus from Oxford anyone can ring Julieanne on 01865 236 088 or email: oxwdm@phonecoop.coop.
ENDS
Contact: Oxford WDM Press Officer, Jenny Nicholson
07766 676371
jenny.nicholson@live.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. To find out more about the campaign to stop the EU's unfair trade deals, and see the pledge, go to www.tjm.org.uk
2. The World Development Movement (WDM) tackles the underlying causes of poverty. We lobby decision makers to change the policies that keep people poor. We research and promote positive alternatives. We work alongside people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice.
See: www.wdm.org.uk or the Oxford Group on: http://oxfordwdm.blogspot.com/.
3. Event details:
Thursday 21st May 2009, 7:30pm, Reading International Solidarity Centre (RISC), 35-39 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS.
Candidates: Caroline Lucas (Greens), Sharon Bowles (Liberal Democrats), Janet Keene (Labour), Nirj Deva (Conservatives), Philip Vander Elst (UKIP); http://oxfordwdm.blogspot.com/.
