Push for global trade justice, Burstow urges Government

1.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 3rd Nov 2005

Local MP Paul Burstow joined thousands of trade justice supporters in their call for the Government to use its influence at the World Trade Organisation talks in December to shape a fairer international trading system, at a mass lobby of Parliament held last Wednesday.

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam also met with a group of local Trade Justice campaigners in a separate meeting held that day.

Mr Burstow said:

"I am proud that my constituents have come to Westminster today on behalf of the world's poorest people. They wholeheartedly share my concern that the trade policies that will be discussed in Hong Kong will affect the lives of millions across the globe.

"Poor countries must have the right to use trade policies that protect the livelihoods of their most vulnerable farmers and producers, and grant them access to first world markets. Only then can we really make poverty history."

"In its respective presidencies of the G8 and EU, the Government has so far failed to tackle fully the problems faced by developing nations.

"The round of trade talks in Hong Kong however does represent a further golden opportunity for this Government and its partners in the EU to use its negotiating clout, and deal magnanimously with the scourge of global poverty and unfair trade regimes."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The organisers of the mass lobby held in Westminster, the Trade Justice Movement is one of the networks at the centre of the Make Poverty History coalition of over 500 charities, campaigners and faith groups calling for trade justice, debt cancellation and increased levels of aid to eradicate global poverty. For more information, see:

- the Trade Justice Movement website www.tjm.org.uk

- the Make Poverty History campaign, www.makepovertyhistory.org

2. The Mass Lobby demands:

Ahead of the WTO talks in Hong Kong in December, the TJM is calling on the UK government and its partners in the European Union to:

- Stop pushing poor countries to open their economies through world trade talks

- Respect the right of poor countries' to decide on trade policies that will help end poverty and protect their environment

The UK in particular, is called to use its influence within the EU to:

- Allow developing countries to shape trade policies that protect vulnerable farm sectors and promote national industries

- Allow countries to choose the best policies for poor people and the environment in services such as water, health and education