TPP Rapid Dispute Mechanism Threatens Food Safety, Says DeLauro
A dispute settlement rapid response mechanism (RRM) for sanitary and phytosanitary concerns in the Trans-Pacific Partnership is poised to benefit foreign importers at the expense of U.S. food safety, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., in a letter (here) to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman on Oct. 21. TPP partners agreed on that type of mechanism for the pact, Froman said in recent days (see 1510190005). USTR staffers have repeatedly declined to comment on the details of the mechanism.
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That mechanism, however, would allow foreign exporters to “circumvent” U.S. food safety laws, said DeLauro. The RRM would “put pressure on domestic food safety agencies already hard strapped to conduct foreign import food inspections within tight budgets,” DeLauro said. “The Food and Drug Administration only has the resources to inspect about two percent of seafood imports. Even at these low levels, the inspectors are turning away large amounts of seafood from Vietnam and Malaysia every year because of dirt, decomposition, banned drugs, illegal additives and salmonella, among other concerns.”
DeLauro pushed Froman to disclose the sanitary and phytosanitary chapter. USTR pledged to release the TPP text to the public within a month. DeLauro has long challenged USTR to ensure TPP does not jeopardize U.S. food safety (see 1507220020 and 1504090057).