Hi John,
Today the government has once again used every trick in the book in order to avoid having to answer to anyone on trade deals.
The Agriculture Bill is being wrapped up in parliament today and trade has been a big issue during the debates on it. Farmers had pushed for changes to the bill that would have given a bit more oversight of trade. But the government has used an obscure technicality to throw out those changes - so MPs won’t even be able to vote on them.
It is yet another example of the government’s power grab over trade deals. Yet another reason why we need to show our resistance - starting with the day of action against the US trade deal on 24 January.
Rally for the day of action
Many of you have been in touch about plans for the day, whether taking action from home or elsewhere, and it’s great to see things coming together.
We will wrap up the day with an online rally, and we have worked with allies to put together a brilliant line-up of speakers.
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The rally will be at 5.30pm on Saturday 24 October.
It will be both a celebration of our campaign, and a chance to hear some major voices speak of their fears and concerns:
- Jay Rayner, food writer and host of Radio 4’s The Kitchen Cabinet
- Emily Thornberry, shadow secretary of state for international trade
- Sian Berry, co-leader Green Party
- Dr Phil Hammond, NHS doctor, Private Eye writer and comedian
- Sharon Treat, senior attorney, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, US
- Glyn Moody, tech writer, contributing editor Ars Technica
- Dr Sonia Adesara, NHS doctor and activist
Whatever else you do on the day, we hope you can join us for this rally. Times are tough right now and when, on top of everything else, we read the news of the government’s outrageous shenanigans on trade, it is really good to come together. The movement against the US trade deal is growing every day, as more and more people are outraged by the government’s contempt for public concerns over food standards, the NHS and more.
The day of action on 24 October is the next big chance to join with others who care about the injustices caused by trade deals. Together we have power and together we can stop the toxic US trade deal.
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Thank you for all that you do,
Jean Blaylock
Trade campaigner at Global Justice Now
PS. Tonight’s Dispatches documentary looks at dangerous levels of contamination found in the American food industry and the implications for a US trade deal.
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The US-UK trade deal could give corporations everything they want. Help us stop it.
We are campaigning to stop the toxic US trade deal which is likely to lower food standards, weaken chemical regulation, increase medicine prices and block climate action.
Regular gifts give us the long-term stability to plan effective campaigns for a more just world. And they will help further the campaign to stop this toxic trade deal.
If you’re not already a member, will you join today?
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