When David Byrne, European Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumer Protection, issued a message of support this week to the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) ahead of its 5th annual meeting, it is unlikely that he anticipated damning criticisms of both US and European governments to come out of the meeting. But a report issued today from the TACD does just that.
In short, TACD, an umbrella organisation of the 65 leading EU and US consumer groups, is highly critical of "American and European governments for advocating business concerns over consumer concerns in their trade policies".
Speaking this week at the meeting, Felix Cohen, head of the main Dutch consumer organisation and a member of the TACD steering committee, said: "This report card shows that both the EU and US governments have let consumers down badly. Although the EU has made some progress, few of the recommendations made by leading consumer advocates in the US and the EU were met."
There is certainly a case of mixed messages here. While governments in Europe and the US profess to place food safety as a priority issue - the new food safety authority in Europe and the new European food laws, for example - the TACD maintains that this may not be the case.
"Globalisation must benefit consumers and assure they're protected," said Rhoda Karpatkin, president emeritus of the Consumers Union and also a member of the TACD steering committee. "Issues such as safe food are critical to consumers. The governments are negotiating trade policies that favour business interests. That's wrong."
"Although the EU has made some progress, few of the recommendations made by leading consumer advocates in the US and the EU were met, " added Felix Cohen.
One particularly sticky issue singled out by the TACD is that of genetically modified foods, and in particular the attitude of the US. According to the group, "the USA has refused to require labelling of genetically engineered food so consumers will know what they are eating. It also has failed to establish a mandatory safety assessment system." In contrast, legislative moves in the European Union, where the anti-GMO consumer is currently more vociferous than in the US, are bringing the food industry towards the implementation of tough rules on the traceability and labelling of GM food ingredients.
A further criticism singled out by the TACD is the lack of precautionary principle in the US - a principle much favoured by European countries, and a crucial support in the recent European BSE crisis. In a statement, the group said:"The US has continued to oppose the 'precautionary principle' - the notion that when there is scientific uncertainty, governments must err on the side of caution - in a variety of international venues. However, the TACD commended the EU for its continued efforts to promote the 'precautionary principle' in the trade agenda."
Representing over 20 million consumers, TACD will be keen to learn the response of the US and the EU to the report. Anthony Wayne, Assistant US Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs, and Gerard Depayre, Deputy Head of the European Commission Delegation to the United States, are due to respond.