A phantom letter to the EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht

by Aurelie Walker, Trade Policy Advisor, Fairtrade Foundation

Dear Trade Commissioner De Gucht,

Thank you for your visit to the UK this week to discuss EU trade policy with us it was lovely to see you after so long. I am glad you enjoyed meeting our Lords Select Committee on international trade.

 You briefly touched on the WTO in your conversation with the Lords. You mentioned that a reduction of trade distorting cotton subsidies would be impossible in December given that the US cannot pass anything through Congress right now. 

 I understand the difficult position you are in, but I was wondering if you could do me (and 10000 cotton farmers in West Africa) a favour? Please don’t stop raising the issue with the Americans.  They can make changes to their cotton subsidy system in the current farm bill reform. It’s really a question of now or never. 

 I know it’s usually your colleague the agriculture commissioner Ciolos that talks all things farming, but let him know this is an important issue for you, and encourage him to keep the pressure on the US to make changes and give poor cotton farmers a fair chance to compete. 

 It would help if he made changes to European cotton subsidies to lead the way so if you could mention that too we would all be really grateful.

Well I think I’ll sign off now.  Thank you again for your visit, and I look forward to welcoming you in the UK again. 

Yours faithfully,

Aurelie