Government failing the environment in TPP talks

The latest Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) leak proves the National Government is not committed to protecting our environment, the Green Party said today.

Secret details of the TPP have been leaked showing that New Zealand’s position is weak on environmental issues.

“There is a double standard with weak enforcement measures for breaching environmental rules, but strong enforcement measures in areas like mining and copyright,” said Green Party MP Gareth Hughes.

“Modern trade agreements should protect the environment on which our economy depends – the latest leak shows this is not the case with the TPP.

“New Zealand should be a leader when it comes to protecting our environment, but this leak shows that our Government is prepared to trade our environmental protections away.

“It’s absurd that a leading 21st century trade agreement doesn’t address critical issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.

“Protections afforded to foreign investors under the TPP will seriously undermine our environment. Similar agreements have resulted in Governments being forced to pay billions because they put in place rules to protect the environment from harm caused by foreign corporations.

“What the National Government is saying in public is different from what it is saying behind closed doors. The Government must release the text.

“In a democracy, people should have the right to know the detail of, and have input into, international agreements that the National Government wants to sign us up to.”

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