Lochhead voices concern over TTIP’s effect on food standards

Richard Lochhead will go to Brussels to seek reassurances from the European Commission over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership’s (TTIP) effect on food, health, environmental and labour standards in Scotland.

Lochhead will also demand that EC negotiators prioritise maintaining Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI) status for Scottish products within negotiations.

He will say: “The European Commission has stated that TTIP will not result in a lowering of standards – however, until the Scottish Government sees the final text of an agreement then we cannot be certain, and for that reason I am seeking assurance today that the partnership will be beneficial, rather than detrimental, to Scotland.

“It is also my intention to see that Defra pushes for all Scotland’s PGI status products to be included in the TTIP.”

As well as warning that TTIP could lead to privatisation of the NHS, critics have voiced concern that the deal could weaken consumer protection.

But appearing in front of the Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee, UK Trade and Investment Minister Lord Livingston listed the food and drink sector as one of the industries which are expected to benefit from the deal.

The Food Standards Agency published an internal report on the implications of TTIP in November, following an FOI response.

It said: “Whilst it is true that we cannot guarantee the outcome of the TTIP negotiations the European Commission has made it clear, on behalf of all EU Member States, that TTIP will not affect the way the EU legislates on food safety.

“Any proposal to allow products, substances or processes currently banned by EU legislation would require changes to the legislation. These legislative changes would require the support of a majority of Member States and the European Commission has not been given a mandate to make any concessions in the areas you have identified in order to agree the deal.”

Negotiations over TTIP are ongoing, with six full rounds of negotiations taking place, and another two rounds expected later this year. A deal could be reached by the end of 2015.