Trade negotiations opened to public scrutiny after pressure from MEPs - 2010-04-21

Documents about plans to tackle the international trade in counterfeit goods have been released, just weeks after the European Parliament called for greater transparency in negotiations on the issue.

The Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is currently being negotiated by the European Union and ten countries worldwide.

In March Labour's David Martin MEP co-authored a resolution in which the European Parliament called for greater clarity about exactly what issues were being discussed.

Campaigners have raised concerns that the agreement could have implications for individuals' civil liberties.

They were concerned that the agreement could result in people having their computer equipment analysed by customs officials looking for illegally downloaded files.

The lack of clarity over what was being discussed also meant there was apprehension over the impact any treaty might have on the trade in generic medicines, which help supply cheaper drugs to the healthcare sector.

Documents released on Wednesday (21 April) seem to offer some reassurances on these issues, showing that most of the detail focuses on large scale counterfeiting.

David Martin, who is Labour's spokesperson in the European Parliament on trade, said: "Thanks to pressure from EU citizens and the European Parliament - there has been an important shift in favour of increased transparency.

"The documents mean that it's now easier to see exactly what is being discussed, but the final agreement hasn't been reached yet.

"That will need the European Parliament's approval, so it's vital the European Commission pays attention to MEPs' concerns."

Labour MEPs have stressed that ACTA should target commercial counterfeiters and not individuals.

The countries involved in the negotiations, which include the USA and Japan, hope to strike a deal to help tackle the trade in counterfeit goods and uphold intellectual property rights.

Officials at EU borders seized 79 million counterfeit articles in 2007. The trade includes cosmetic products, toys and medicines - sectors in which fake goods can have serious implications for consumer safety.

Speaking on the impact any treaty could have on the pharmaceutical sector, David Martin added: "Commercial interests must never be placed over public health, so I welcome the clarification we've had from the negotiators.

"As a major transit point for generic medicines to developing countries, it is vital that the European Union does not impede the trade in legitimate generic medicines which save millions of lives in developing countries."

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