Friends of the Earth just published a new report looking into who the real winners will be from the TTIP deal.

So what’s the conclusion?

“The controversial trade deal being negotiated between the EU and the US could spell disaster for European farming, finds a new report from Friends of the Earth Europe.

The report ‘Trading away EU farmers’ reviews modelling studies carried out in the EU and US on the impacts of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The report concludes that TTIP will massively increase imports from the US, while having far fewer benefits for EU producers. Studies foresee a decline of up to 0.8% for EU agriculture’s contribution to gross domestic product, while US agriculture’s contribution to it will increase by 1.9% – a net trade benefit to US interests of over 4 billion euros.

This is predicted to result in many farmers across the EU facing stronger competition and lower prices, threatening farm businesses across Europe, as well as having negative impacts on rural areas and on consumer interests.

According to the report, the existence of whole EU farm sectors – such as grassland beef production – will be at risk from the agreement. The US Department of Agriculture is predicting falls in the price paid to European farmers in every food category. “

What’s the calibre of politician feeding in on our behalf? Do you remember Anthony Lawlor? That Fine Gael dude who got stung claiming responsibility for the success of a local craft brewer in a crass election leaflet?

Yes, the likes of him and here’s his thoughts on the whole thing. Neo-liberalism dressed up in mawkish sentimentality about kids using computers and his auld boy’s memory of the economic war.

Spectacular stuff really.

Take a read of our visit to the Ploughing Match late last year where we sussed out how smaller Irish farmers felt about this corporate grab.

Make yourself a coffee and take a read of the report. The TLDR version is right here.