Motion for a resolution - B8-0881/2015Motion for a resolution
B8-0881/2015

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION On the EU-Vietnam Agreement prejudicial to Italian rice

27.8.2015

pursuant to Rule 133 of the Rules of Procedure

Gianluca Buonanno

B8-0881/2015

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the EU-Vietnam Agreement prejudicial to Italian rice

The European Parliament,

–       having regard to Rule 133 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.     whereas on 4 August 2015 the EU and Vietnam signed a free trade agreement on goods, services and investment, the main aim of which was to abolish customs duties;

B.     whereas the Agreement also provides for the import from Vietnam of 80 000 of rice that will be exempt from any customs duty;

C.     whereas the Italian rice-growing sector, which is the leader in Europe, is already feeling the effects of the 500 000 tonnes of rice imported from Cambodia and Myanmar under the Everything But Arms Agreements, which is also duty free;

1.      Considers that these imports will be so cheap that they will plunge Italian rice growers further into crisis;

2.       Believes that the only possible upshot of the Agreement will be the annihilation of the European rice industry in general, and that in Italy in particular;

 

3.      Calls on its Members to denounce the Agreement with Vietnam since it runs counter to Europe’s interests, and hopes that they will adopt a firm stance in respect of the Commission, which is no longer acting in line with the mandate it was granted.