Strasbourg comment: Rule 90

David Martin explains how updated internal rules can help shape trade policy for "fair growth and job creation".

23 Apr 2014

As we take stock of the first parliamentary term under the Lisbon treaty, the parliament's new role in international trade clearly emerges as one of the big winners. Co-decision has been extended to all reforms of trade policy and the parliament's veto power over free trade agreements (FTAs) has been fully exercised. A reflection on the common commercial policy also allows us to bring our internal rules in line with these new powers. With my report in the constitutional affairs committee the parliament rules of procedure will better reflect the Lisbon treaty, including clarifying the procedure for parliament to seek the advice of the court of justice and for MEPs to adopt a position on the ongoing negotiations up to the point of ratification.

Setting out parliament's key demands for an FTA and monitoring the negotiating process is a key function of the international trade committee. In the last five years the EU has opened negotiations with a large number of partner countries in addition to concluding the first 'new generation' deep and comprehensive FTA with South Korea. Although the workload of the international trade committee has grown substantially in monitoring these agreements, the proliferation of negotiations has also helped the S&D group coalesce around key objectives we would like to see in every agreement. Central to this is the promotion of fair trade, a robust sustainable development chapter on labour and environmental issues, a link to human rights in the trade agreement, animal welfare clauses and a fair investment policy.

As rapporteur for ACTA, I saw first-hand the impact the parliament has on EU trade policy. While Lisbon set out our responsibility in shaping the trade agenda it was the rejection of the anti-counterfeiting accord which reinforced this new role to the commission. With our internal rules updated and a comprehensive FTA monitoring system in place, the European parliament can enter the next legislature as a key player in shaping the Union's trade policy for fair growth and job creation.