Activities of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2023/2001(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the implementation of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
Amendments (36)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
– having regard to the Joint Interpretative Instrument on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union and its Member States 1a, _________________ 1a https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:2201 7X0114(01)&rid=1
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
– Draft Decision No X/2022 of the CETA Joint Committee on the interpretation of certain terms in Article 8.10, Annex 8-A and Article 8.39,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 23 June 2022 on the future of EU international investment policy (2021/2176(INI)),
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
– having regard to the SPS mixed committee reports of 25-27 October 2022, of 16-19 November 2021 and of 16-19 November 2020,
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
– having regard to the successive DG Health audits on the traceability and quality of the control systems in place governing the production of beef and pork intended for export to the European Union (in 2014, 2019 and 2022),
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 c (new)
Citation 8 c (new)
– having regard to the Third Meeting of the CETA Joint Committee, 2 December 2022, Canada, Joint Report,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 d (new)
Citation 8 d (new)
– having regard to the Ares (2021)1164445 – 10/02/2021: 2020 Canada-EU CETA Agriculture Committee meeting. 21 September 2020 and the report of the meeting of the 6 October 2022,
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 f (new)
Citation 8 f (new)
– having regard to the report from the UN Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, A/78/168: Paying polluters: the catastrophic consequences of investor-State dispute settlement for climate and environment action and human rights, 13 July 2023,
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 g (new)
Citation 8 g (new)
– having regard to the Parliamentary question - P- 001292/2023(ASW),
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 h (new)
Citation 8 h (new)
– having regard to the written answer by from the Commission to the Parliamentary question - P- 001292/2023(ASW) 3a _________________ 3a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/doc ument/P-9-2023-001292-ASW_EN.html
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas CETA was the first trade agreement the EU completed with another major established OECD economy; whereas it was also the most ambitiouscomprehensive agreement either the EU or Canada had concluded at the time, including unprecedented access to public procurement at sub-federal as well as federal level;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas CETA has been provisionally applied since 21 September 2017, i.e. for more than six years;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas important provisions, in particular relating to investment protection, have still not been applied, as not all Member States have ratified the agreement;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the implementationmonitoring of the EU’s trade agreements is a key priority for Parliament, the Council and the Commission in order to monitor, assess and calibrate the EU’s common commercial policy (CCP); whereas reporting on the implementation of the agreement with Canada is a timely and useful contribution to the reflection on the functioning of EU trade agreements;
Amendment 40 #
F. whereas the institutional framework under CETA is now fully in place, with 19 specialised committees, a regulatory cooperation forum and a civil society forum, and their agendas and reports are publicly available; while regrettably detailed minutes or webstreaming of the meetings are not; whereas the European Parliament and Canadian Parliament and legislative assemblies have no possibility to input into the Committees discussions;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas there is now sufficient experience, data and statistical information to assess the provisional implementation of CETA;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
G b. whereas the extent of withdrawal by Member States from the Energy Charter Treaty speaks to the concerns which arise in respect of Investor-State Dispute on governments' climate action;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G c (new)
Recital G c (new)
G c. whereas the Irish Supreme Court ruling, delivered on 11 November 2022, clarified that ratifying CETA is currently unconstitutional for the Irish government;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that CETA relies on a fair and predictable rules-based relationship which promotes a more secure and stable economic environment between the trading partners, which is particularly important in the context of heightened geopolitical uncertainties, built on the principles of sustainable development and respect for human rights and labour and environmental standards; considers that such predictability could fosters economic growth, the exchange of goods, the provision of services, participation in public procurement, and the attractiveness of investment, quality employment, and improved working conditions and living standards; notes, however, that CETA needs to strengthen sustainable development, respect human and labour rights and protect the climate;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with satisfaction that trade in goods between the EU and Canada increased by 53 % between 2017 and 2022, while EU-Canada trade in services increased by 46 %, outperforming other extra-EU trade; welcomnotes the fact that EU goods exports to Canada increased by 47 % during the first five years of provisional application, where the biggest gains were registered in the cases of manufactured products, chemical products, as well as food and animal products; observes that Canadian exports to the EU increase of 46.4% where the biggest gains were registered in ores, precious stones and metals and mineral fuels and oils; notes that five EU member states: the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, and Spain accounted for 85% of the total increase in Canadian exports to the EU; regrets that market openings are not linked to compliance with stricter environmental standards, which risks to lock-in harmful production methods, particularly in agriculture and industry;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the fact that trade flows between the parties have generally proven to be resilient throughout the pandemic, as well as the difficult situation created by Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, thereby resisting pressure on supply chains and contributing to strengthened food security; takes the view that CETA should serve as a tool to facilitate cooperation and joint action in the reconstruction of Ukraine once the war is overand value chains; notes that the enlargement of the EU could impact Europe trade with Canada;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the two most important product categories that the EU and Canada export to each other are machinery, accounting for around 40 % of both exports and imports, and chemical, pharmaceutical and plastic products, making up around 20 % of total exports and imports; notes, notes, however, that the mining and extraction sector, in particular fertilisers, nickel, uranium and sand oils is highly significant when it comes to imports from Canada, compared to other trading partners, accounting for nearly 20 % of the EU’s total imports from Canada; regrets that the increase in exported and imported goods primarily pertains to environmentally and socially harmful sectors; highlights the specific concern surrounding the liberalisation of the transatlantic energy trade, particularly in relation to the trade of tar sands oils, known for emitting 23% more greenhouse gases than conventional oil; underlines that access to critical raw materials from a reliable trading partner is a key element of the green transition;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with concern that tariff removals on agricultural goods typically lead to a loss of revenue for small-scale, traditional, and family farmers, while primarily conferring benefits upon large exporting farming corporations; notes that the utilisation rate of the tariff rate quota (TRQ) for beef and veal imports to the EU was only 3 % in 2021, and that EU exporters have expanded their market share in Canada, such that the EU exports more frozen beef to Canada than it imports from it; notes however that this level of quota use may change over time as a result of variations in Canada's other export markets (in particular the US and China); points out that citizens' expectations are evolving and leading to significant changes in the food market, with a consequent increase in demand for locally produced food; stresses the importance of locally produced food, its value to our farmers and the significant positive contributions it can make to our environment; therefore encourages the Commission and the Member States to actively promote the development of local food strategies and to launch initiatives in favour of short supply channels;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Highlights with concern that Canada has made no progress in implementing the recommendations made in successive DG Health audits on the traceability and quality of the control systems in place governing the production of beef and pork intended for export to the European Union (in 2014, 2019 and 2022);
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Notes with concern that CETA has conferred extensive new enforcement powers upon transnational seed corporations, granting them significant authority to uphold their dominance over seeds, which includes the nearly complete elimination of farmers’ rights to save, reuse, and sell seeds, and which stands in contradiction to the objectives of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, to which both the EU and Canada are signatories;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Expresses concern that the precautionary principle, a fundamental component of European regulatory policy enshrined in Article 191 of the TFEU, could be affected by CETA; notes that the items placed on the agenda of the CETA's Joint Committee for the Management of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures by Canada since the start of the provisional application of the CETA (European regulations on pesticides and MRLs, fertilisers, antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance, etc.) tend to call into question the legitimacy of European rules designed to guarantee that food, animals and animal products placed on the EU market meet the obligation to ensure a high level of protection for human and animal health and the environment;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Notes that CETA committees can independently amend CETA protocols and annexes; is concerned with the lack of transparency and proper oversight by the European Parliament; calls on the Commission and the Council to involve the European Parliament at an earlier stage, and present it with draft committee decisions, give it time to set out its position, and then take this into account;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. WelcomesNotes the concrete efforts to facilitate access to public procurement, such as the Single Point of Access in Canada; takes the view that even if many more EU businesses are successfully participating in Canadian tenders, such as for regional rail passenger transport in Ontario or bridges in Montreal, EU suppliers could take even further advantage of the opportunities offered, in particular as regards infrastructure projects and bidding for provincial and municipal contraexpresses concerns that governments at all levels will now be prohibited from favouring local suppliers or applying local content requirements to procurement contracts—both important economic development tools currently available to many governments; observes that procuring entities cannot obligate suppliers to contribute positively to local economic development or implement ethical and sustainable purchasing strategies that support local providers and communities; notes with concern the adverse impacts that CETA’s prohibition on offsets and set-asides may have for aboriginal and minority businesses on employment prospects;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the parties to make available all the legal and administrative support and tools SMEs need to engage in trade and investment under CETA, in order to foster an increase in exchanges and to enhance participation so they can reap the benefits of CETA, including through active measures to facilitate the internationalisation of SMEs; notes that the CETA has not had a significant economic impact for SMEs in the EU; welcomes, in this regard, the recommendation on SMEs adopted by the Joint Committee in 2018, and the subsequent action plans, including concrete actions such as the launch of the Access2Markets platform in October 2020, which supports SMEs with practical information on trade agreements and trade barriers;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines that CETA provides a framework that fosters both trade and climate action by includingNotes that despite the commitments to cooperate on trade-related environmental issues of common interest such as climate change, as demonstrated by the recommendation on trade, climate action and the Paris Agreement; welcomes the growth of the environmental goods trade by 27 % since provisional application started; CETA nonetheless poses a significant challenge to international initiatives aimed at halting fossil fuel-based energy production and advancing the cause of renewable energy; points out that Canada has asked the EU for flexibility in implementing the regulation on imported deforestation in order to avoid undesirable effects on trade; observes that Canada has taken several initiatives at the WTO against new EU measures taken under the Green Deal, in particular the environmental import requirement on two neonicotinoids and the import requirement on antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance; welcomes the growth of the environmental goods trade by 27 % since provisional application started; notes, however, that the increase in EGAs is not sufficient to counterbalance the increase in trade of environmentally harmful goods;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the active involvement and monitoring of CETA implementation by the domestic advisory groups (DAGs) and the Civil Society Forum, gathering hundreds of representatives from across the EU and Canada, including businesses, environmental and labour organisations, civil society, academia as well as indigenous people’s representatives from Canada, and actively contributing to the work of in particular the Trade and Sustainable Development Committee through their joint statements; despite the good functioning of the DAG, stresses that the mandate of the DAG should be extended to consider the impact of the full agreement, including and especially the impact on sustainability and human rights of the investment protection chapter;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Insists on the effective implementation of the specific commitments related to the trade and sustainable development (TSD) provisions, which are an integral part of CETA and are essential to the accomplishment of the objectives set; takes note that in 2024 the Commission will conduct an ex post evaluation of CETA, including its TSD chapter, involving independent experts; regrets that contrary to statements made in the Joint Interpretative Instrument on CETA, no early review process on the TSD chapter has been initiated; regrets that the EU has rejected the concrete proposals put forward by Canada in 2020 to give a more binding scope to certain provisions of this chapter;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the parties to immediatly review CETA in order to introduce a suitable and effective dispute settlement mechanism, including the consideration of, among various enforcement methods, sanctions as a deterrent to be used, as a last resort, in the case of serious breache in the case of breaches of human and labour rights or environmental commitments;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Warns of the potential impact of CETA’s investment protection chapter on EU governments’ rights to advance economic, social, and environmental policies; notes that some of the provisions of the investment protection chapter (such as the protection of investments in fossil fuels, the duration of the sunset clause and the terminology of substantive clauses) is not in line with the EP's vision of the future of EU international investment policy [para 21, 31 and 30]; acknowledges the Statement from the Commission on clarifications discussed with Germany regarding investment protection in the context of the CETA agreement; regrets however, the limited legal relevance of an accompanying document compared to the original text of the agreement; calls on the Commision to exclude fossil fuel investors from investment protection rules;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Urges Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Slovenia to ratify CETA, as this will also be wait for the results of the EC's ex-post impact assessmential in order to update the agreement, and reiterates the importance of full application of CETA, including its investment protection provisions which will be conducted in 2024 before further considering whether to ratify CETA;