EU-US trade deal: 14 EP committees have their say

The European Parliament is working on its position on the EU-US trade deal known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The international trade committee is responsible for drafting the Parliament's recommendations; however 13 other EP committees will contribute with their opinions. MEPs are due to debate and vote on the EP's position before summer.

The trade deal, which is still being negotiated, can only enter into force if it has been approved by both the Council and the European Parliament. MEPs have already warned that they would not approve the agreement at any cost and that they will be closely looking at issues such as food standards.

The international trade committee is responsible for drafting the Parliament's position based on a report prepared by Bernd Lange, a German member of the S&D group. However the final vote will only take place once the other 14 committees involved have given their opinions.

The  international trade committee discussed on 13 April  the 898 amendments to Lange's report that have been submitted. The vote on the report is expected by the end of May. During the meeting, Lange said: "It is absolutely essential for me to obtain a large majority to express our position against the Commission."

This week, the six remaining committees will vote on their opinion. It will then be up to the international trade committee to vote on its report and then all MEPs can vote on it during a plenary session.

State of play

Adopted opinions:

• Development committee
• Economic affairs commitee
• Industry, research and energy commitee
• Internal market and consumers protection committee
• Civil liberties committee
• Foreign affairs committee
• Employment committee

Opinions to be voted on this week:

• Environment, public health and food safety committee (vote morning  Tuesday 15 April)
• Agriculture committee (vote afternoon Tuesday 14 April)
• Culture committee (vote morning Thursday 16 April)
• Legal affairs committee (vote morning Thursday 16 April)
• Petitions committee (vote morning Thursday 16 April)
• Constitutional affairs committee (vote morning Thursday 16 April)

Initially there were 14 EP committees sharing their expertise with the international trade committee. However, the transport committee decided not to participate. MEPs still have a chance to submit amendments before the plenary vote takes place.

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