The Europe we want-a Transatlantic Health and Wellbeing Partnership?

Abstract

‘ A high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies and activities …’ Article 152 of the Treaty establishing the European Community 1 Amongst the ten priority policy areas2 for the European Commission (EC) is the negotiation of ‘a reasonable and balanced free trade agreement with the US’-the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). President Juncker has explicitly stated2 that he ‘will not sacrifice Europe’s safety, health, social and data protection standards … on the altar of free trade’. He has also promised2 the ‘jurisdiction of courts in the EU Member States’ not to be ‘limited by special regimes for investor disputes’ and that ‘the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law’ will apply in this context. The proposed TTIP is a comprehensive trade and investment agreement, focusing on European Union (EU)-United States (US) market liberalization. It is about to transform the EU regulatory setting with potentially serious and damaging implications for the public’s health and wellbeing, and healthcare.3 Is the Commission abiding by its own legal commitment to protect health in all its policies and activities? Is President Juncker going to keep his promises? TTIP represents potentially the largest regional free-trade agreement in history, accounting for nearly a half of the world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and almost a third of world trade flows.4 It is predicted to deliver the EU 0.5% additional GDP growth (€119 billion per year or €545 for an average …