|
Newsletter |
|
Suscribe to get our weekly newsletter now!
|
|
|
192) Some good reasons for delaying the signature of an EPA between the EU and West Africa (3) |
|
|
| Some good reasons for delaying the signing of an
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
between the European Union and West Africa
(Part III) | 6) No EPA without food sovereignty
At a meeting in 2004 between the allied organisations
(The National Federation of Farmers, CPF; The National Union of Cotton Growers, UNPCB; the network of West African Farmers' Organisations and Agricultural Producers ROPPA; the Women's Network RECIF/NGO; the National Observatory of the Rice Sector in Burkina,ONRIZ; the Alert on Economic and Social Rights Group, ASAB-INADES; ATTAC-Burkina; the Organisation for the Reinforcement of Development Capacity, ORCADE ; the network of African Women Economists, REFAE and our own publishing office the SEDELAN,
it was decided to establish the following motto :
No EPA without
* food sovereignty;
* a genuine regional integration policy in ECOWAS, to benefit all, including the landlocked member states;
* a real industrialisation programme with strong emphasis on further processing of agricultural produce.
Since then a range of demands for ensuring food sovereignty have been put forward. Moreover, in January 2005 the Heads of State signed an ECOWAS document setting out its agricultural policy, with a resolute claim to food sovereignty. From then on not much thought seems to have been spent on the question whether an EPA can be compatible with food sovereignty. To my knowledge only ROPPA has produced some interesting thoughts on the subject. Leading politicians are probably all taken up by the WTO negotiations - which is only one more argument in favour of putting a moratorium on the discussions with the EU.
7) No EPA without a genuine regional integration policy with special reference to the processing of agricultural products
Such a requirement is fundamental to a country the size of Burkina. But it seems to be missing in the debate. One can simply take a look in any grocery store of any town in the WAEMOU (the West African Franc currency zone, which has no customs protection worthy of its name) to realise the stark facts. Nearly all articles on sale are imported. Nevertheless it is altogether possible to create an industry (small, for a start) for the transformation of farm products. Here are some hints.
How comes that soumbala (a traditional sauce which is very popular, even with urban citizens) in modern form is nowhere to be seen? Despite the fact that a few years ago it was exhibited conditioned into cubes (like the Maggi aroma cubes) at an agricultural trade fair.
How comes that one cannot find fruit juice made from Burkina grown fruit? Why is there no product made from maize, apart from its most basic form, maize flour?
It is difficult to envision the development of Burkina Faso without the prior development of an agricultural processing trade. But it is also difficult to imagine the development of such an industry, if there is no customs protection. Therefore, a condition for the development of the country is the creation within its borders of added value on agricultural products.
How can this fit in with an EPA? Obviously, an answer to that question must be found before getting on to any such agreement with the EU.
8) It is perfectly feasible to delay the signing of an EPA between the European Union and West Africa!
Whenever the demand is made for postponing the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement that the EU intends to conclude with West Africa, many rebut that such a step is impossible! The commitments made at the World Trade Organisation would not permit it.
I am well aware that the European Commission is putting strong pressure on its counterparts for the adoption of a very tough time schedule in the negotiations. They should normally be over by the end of 2007, in view of the expiry date of the WTO derogation on unilateral special tariff preferences on January 1st 2008.
However, I am also aware of the objectives proclaimed by the WTO at its inception, namely that trade relations should contribute to the promotion of higher living standards, full employment and better income through optimal use of resources, in accordance with sustainable development, preserving the environment and taking into account the needs of its member states at their current state of development.
I also know that the WTO has granted the LDCs (Least Developed Countries - by far a majority within the ECOWAS) special status. They are entitled to special and differentiated treatment and this would allow for the proposal of postponing the signature to a date later than January 1st 2008.
Finally, after the NO vote on the European Constitution in France and the Netherlands, project Europe itself has come to a standstill. Would it not be in the best interest of West Africa to ask for a pause in the negotiations with Europe?
Indeed, let us call for a break. Let us use the spare time to start off a wide democratic debate on this whole issue. Let us not accept that it be allowed to proceed without a discussion in our various Parliaments.
Continued from Part I and Part II. |
|
|
|
Syndication |
Suivez les articles "Vu au Sud - Vu du sud"
|
|
View from the South