Why “Fast Track” Can Sidetrack Both Science and Democracy

[Veilex]

Fast-track had dubious benefits when our trade deals were primarily about tariffs. But the process is far more risky today, when trade deals will affect how nations protect their citizens from unsafe chemicals, tainted foods, dangerous drugs and devices, and a polluted environment.

Consider, for example, talks currently underway for the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). These negotiations are being undertaken largely in secret. Even Members of Congress have found it difficult to learn what their own government is doing. Consumer and environmental groups have learned about the substance of the talks through leaked negotiating documents, or because of a recent EU policy that permits the public release of more EU negotiating information. But what we’ve learned is very alarming.

Not about trade

The U.S. and EU have been almost exclusively focused on ways to eliminate what the business community calls “trade irritants” but what most of us consider public protections. Their goal? Regulatory “harmonization” and “coherence.” Those lofty sounding terms may presage a successful effort to adopt standards that offer the lowest protection to citizens of both the EU and US.


For example, a proposed Regulatory Cooperation Council would function like an extra-national White House Office of Management and Budget—overseeing not only the development and implementation of federal legislative proposals and proposed regulations, but also state laws and regulations, and regulations proposed by independent agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Such a Council likely would examine such proposed laws and rules based on their costs and benefits, as well as their impact on trade, and would prioritize regulatory impacts on corporate profits over their value to the general public. This scrutiny also would extend to laws and rules proposed by both the EU and its member countries.

*Snip*
More at the link:

http://blog.ucsusa.org/why-fast-track-can-sidetrack-both-science-and-democracy-800?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=fb

[2naSalit]

1. It's obvious, to some

that this is all about reinstating global slavery and removing the scourge of democracy from the face of the earth.

[Populist_Prole]

2. If policy has to be railroaded through to be able to pass

It's bad policy, on top of the implications of fast track being anti-democratic.