Today MEPs will vote on the EU-South African Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement, a major trade deal with 6 southern African countries (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Lestho and Mozambique). The agreement has been heavily criticised by development NGOs and trade unions in Europe & southern Africa. I believe that our trade policy should be coherent with our sustainable development goals and human rights obligations, allowing civil society to actively monitor and engage in enforcement. This agreement doesn't do this, therefore with a heavy heart I will be voting against.
