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GATS and alcohol: A seminar on the current state of negotiations
5 November. European Parliament (Brussels)
The EPP, GUE/GNL, IOGT/NTO and NBV organised a seminar on November 5 on the current state the GATS negotiations relating to alcohol.
Background:
Increasing alcohol consumption in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America is having a negative impact on their health and social well-being of countries which is hindering their development.
Alcohol is a leading risk factor for premature death and disability across the world. Each year, there are more than two million deaths caused by alcohol. For this reason, the WHO was asked by its Members to develop a global strategy to combat the harmful use of alcohol; this is expected to be adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2010.
On the other hand, Europe is home to the headquarters of many alcohol producing companies, who are increasingly seeking to market their products in emerging markets. The Member States of the EU are represented in the trade negotiations under the WTO by the DG of the European Commission. This seminar will look at the role of the EU in these negotiations and at the repercussions that these will have on the ability of WTO Member States to implement effective policies to reduce alcohol related harm.
Programme
12.30 Opening remarks by Jens Holm MEP, European United LeftâNordic Green Left, and the Left Party of Sweden and Anders Wijkman MEP, the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats and Christian Democrats of Sweden
12.40 The evolution of the GATS negotiations. Speaker: DG Trade
13.00 The impact of the trade negotiations under the WTO on the ability of Member States to develop and implement public health policies regarding alcohol. Speaker: Ellen Gould (Trade expert. Canadian Center for Political Alternatives)
13.30 Discussion and Q&A
14.00 Closing
Date and time: Wednesday, 5 November. From 12.30 to 14.00
Venue: European Parliament (Brussels) Room A3F383
Please contact susanna.odin@iogt.se for more information.