EU concessions to African farmers suspect

According to an international non-governmental organisation, the recent trade concessions by the European Union to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries mean little in real terms. The Agency for Co-operation and Research in Development (ACORD), a Pan-African organisation working for social justice and development has scoffed at the EU’s offer. It says the deal, which comes ahead of the Economic Partnership Agreements is not a new development in the negotiations, and is too little too late, especially for Africa’s smallholder farmers.

The EU proposal — removal of all quotas and tariffs for ACP countries’ access to its markets — covers products such as beef, dairy, cereals, fruits and vegetables. This was to apply immediately following the signing of the agreement, with a phase-in period for rice and sugar. However, South Africa whose number of globally competitive products are not in the loop will continue to be charged import duties. 

In its rejoinder to the EU’s proposal, ACORD policy advisor Deborah Scott says as free trade agreements, Economic Partnership Agreements represent a great threat to African agriculture as they require the opening up of Africa’s markets to EU goods.

Opponents of EPAs insist that the negotiations will not promote the fulfilment of human rights but will instead violate even more rights. EPAs will push farmers into a deeper agricultural crisis by putting them in competition with highly subsidised EU products locally and regionally.