The Greek MP of New Democracy, Mr Evangelos Basiakos, has raised a number of questions on the issue of the proposed tariff reductions for many agricultural products as part of the 12th round of negotiations for the Transatlantic Partnership Treaty on Trade and Investment (TTIP), as "these developments may be damaging to many of our key agricultural products."
The list of products that may be more severely affected includes potatoes, mushrooms, capers, spinach, oranges, nectarines, kiwis, figs, apples, cucumbers, pears, nuts, tomatoes, apricots, peaches and peppers.
Equally important is the choice of whether the entry into force of this agreement in the near future will be done immediately or after a transitional period. "It goes without saying that the abolition of duties on key agricultural products would encourage mass imports and further burden the competitiveness of our products, because of our high production costs. And this at a time when the survival of our agriculture is at stake, given the many problems agricultural producers are currently facing, including the new tax and social security measures," he said.
Sources: agrotypos.gr and kathimerini.gr