MSPs greet Scottish members handing in CETA petition

MSPs met more than 30 Scottish members of 38 Degrees and other campaigners today as they delivered a petition to the Scottish Parliament demanding that Scotland reject a sinister EU-Canada trade deal.

The petition, which was signed by more than 8,400 people, calls on the Scottish Government to say no to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

MSPs who came out to receive the petition included the Roderick Campbell, a member of the European and External Relations Committee, Cara Hilton, Alex Rowley, Alison Johnstone and Hanzala Malik.

CETA could come into effect as early as autumn this year, but has run into trouble over its proposed use of secret “corporate courts”, Under the terms of the agreement, corporations could have the right to sue British governments if they deem a new UK law to be unfair.

For example, the passing of a new law prohibiting fracking under a beauty spot could be used by a fracking company to sue the UK government for compensation in a secret court.

Stewart Kirkpatrick, from 38 Degrees, said: “This deal is bad news for Scotland because it gives corporations unprecedented power over our lives. But its negotiations are in a bit of a fankle and if the Scottish Government spoke out against it, that would add a powerful voice to the chorus already opposed to CETA.”

The petition, which was handed in by members of 38 Degrees, Global Justice Now Scotland and the Scotland Against TTIP coalition is just the start of a campaign against CETA, which is set to become an even bigger issue amongst 38 Degrees members over the coming months.