Email your MEP about Trade Justice


Back in the spring and summer of 2009, we asked you to pay attention to the June 2009 European elections, and to ask your prospective MEPs to speak out on trade justice for developing countries. Many of you met with, spoke to, or corresponded with your MEP candidates and raised concerns regarding EU trade policy with them. The campaign was a great success and example of people power, with a total of 6 of all 12 (i.e. 50%) elected MEPs, across all the political parties, signing up to our trade justice pledge.

The time has now come to remind them of their promises! The president of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barrosso, has put forward his list of nominations for the Commission. In the second week of January, from 11th to 15th, important hearings will take place in the EU Parliament, where MEPs will get the chance to put the prospective Commissioners through their paces. This is a key moment, when central questions about the impact of EU trade policy on development can be asked, and in particular pressure can be brought to bear on the new Trade Commissioner to revise the EU’s trade policy to ensure it doesn’t make poor countries poorer.

Please take a moment to email your MEPs, both those who signed and those who didn’t, and request them to ask questions about EU trade policy and its impact on development in these hearings next week. Even if you didn’t partake in the campaign before, you can join in now. Remember, your MEP’s job is to represent you in Brussels.

You can get contact details and information about your MEPs here: http://www.europarl.ie/view/en/irish_meps.html

For a draft email text to your MEP click here. It is best if you can modify it a bit to suit your own circumstances or perspectives. But don’t forget you can also just pick up the phone and call them, or go meet them at their clinic.

For some potential questions you could ask, click here. Do also feel free to formulate your own though.

You can download the original pledge card here

To learn more about the EU Parliamentary hearings and how they work, check out http://www.europarl.europa.eu/hearings/default.htm?language=EN

And don’t forget to let us know how you get on by emailing Fleachta@comhlamh.org

To learn more about this issue, please go here