Kenyans protest unfair trade

from The Sunday Times

Nairobi - Kenyan activists and farmers protested in the streets of Nairobi against what they said were unfair trade partnerships pushed by the European Union.

Protests were held in several African capitals to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of negotiations for Economic Partnerships Agreements (EPA) between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific rim countries (ACP), a spokesman for ActionAid said.

In Nairobi demonstrators crushed farm products and waved banners that read “Fight Poverty... Say No to EPAs”.

The EPAs are trade pacts that are set to replace the current preferential trade agreements between Europe and its former colonies, which were deemed illegal by the World Trade Organisation and expire by year’s end.

In a statement, the ActionAid organisation charged that Europe’s “use of strong-arm trade politics will deny food rights and undermine good governance in the world’s poorest countries.”

The preferential trade pacts between Europe and the ACP were initially designed to ensure a steady flow of supplies from former colonies.

Many poor countries argue that they will no longer be able to compete if they lose their special tariffs on exports to EU countries.

“Small scale farmers have systematically been driven out from the export markets in sectors like horticulture leaving only the big players to enjoy the boon,” ActionAid said.

“A reciprocal free trade agreement will worsen this situation while limiting the capacity of our governments to protect agriculture especially for majority small scale farmers who produce most of the staple food.”

Events and protests aimed at raising awareness on the implications of the new trade pacts were also held in Ghana, Mozambique, Cameroon and several other of the 78 ACP countries.

While EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson has upped the pressure on ACP countries to find a common position and press on with the negotiations, east African diplomats said earlier this week there was still no consensus.