Friday, December 6, 2013

Monsanto uncorking the champagne -> stop them by at least signing petition

Dear friends,



Twelve countries are about to agree a trade deal that would let companies sue our governments to get rid of laws that protect us, but reduce their profits! This affects legislation on everything from internet freedom to GMO labeling. With just 48 hours until the deal is sealed, three countries are wobbling. If we deluge them right now with a call to stand strong, we can stop this global corporate takeover before Monsanto uncorks the champagne:  
Monsanto's about to celebrate their biggest coup ever, but we've got until the weekend to stop them.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a huge, ultra-secret deal among twelve major countries that would give corporations unprecedented power -- allowing them to use new global tribunals to sue our governments for passing laws that protect us, but reduce their profits! This could apply to everything from labeling GMO foods to protecting internet freedom. Wikileaks has broken the story and opposition is building fast, but the countries are rushing to seal the deal in 48 hours.

This is insane, but we have a chance to stop it -- 3 countries are wobbling, and if they pull back now the whole deal could crumble. If we deluge leaders in Chile, New Zealand and Australia with a global call to stand strong, we can stop this corporate takeover before Monsanto uncorks the champagne. Sign up now and share this with everyone:



http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_champagne_for_monsanto_con/?bwQkDab&v=32185

The leaked Trans-Pacific Partnership drafts read like an extended Christmas wish-list for big business -- it would set a global standard of companies imposing their will on our governments through an opaque system of tribunals. These courts could limit access to cheap generic medicines in favour of branded medicines, and even allow cigarette companies to sue governments over health regulations that they say threaten profits! It's almost too crazy to be true.

But practically no one has heard of the TPP! The talks are so secretive that not even our elected lawmakers know what's in it -- just the negotiators and 600 corporate lobbyists. Now leaked texts have shocked politicians and citizens from Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. And they are pushing back on the corporate bullying, and against the US that is hell-bent on getting a deal agreed before there is too much public scrutiny.

The TPP affects us all -- it infringes on our rights and undermines our democracies just to protect the corporate bottom line. And we only have days to stop it. Join the urgent call and tell everyone:


http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_champagne_for_monsanto_con/?bwQkDab&v=32185

It can be easy to feel small in the face of big corporate forces driving our governments. But people, not money, are the true source of power. Time and again, our community has proved that when we come together to protect our rights against corporate takeover, we can win. Let's now stop this unprecedented threat to our democracies.

With hope,

Alice, David, Jooyea, Alex, Aldine, Julien, Ricken, and the Avaaz team

PS - Many Avaaz campaigns are started by members of our community! Start yours now and win on any issue - local, national or global: http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?cl=3647024268&v=32185

SOURCES: 

WikiLeaks publishes secret draft chapter of Trans-Pacific Partnership (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/nov/13/wikileaks-trans-pacific-partnership-chapter-secret 

Full text of the leaked draft text (Wikileaks)
http://wikileaks.org/tpp/ 

The Trans-Pacific Partnership treaty is the complete opposite of 'free trade' (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/19/trans-pacific-partnership-corporate-usurp-congress 

Fast track risky path for Pacific trade pact (Seattle Times)
http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2022349766_biztaltoncol01xml.html 

For Free Trade's Sake, Get IP Out of the TPP (Huffington Post) 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-watson/for-free-trades-sake_b_4325963.html 

Philip Morris Leads Plain Packs Battle in Global Trade Arena (Bloomberg)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-22/philip-morris-leads-plain-packs-battle-in-global-trade-arena.html

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