DAIL DEBATE DEC 1st 05 - WHAT CAN YOU DO

CAN TRADE JUSTICE BE MADE IN HONG KONG - ASK YOUR TD!
On Thursday December 1st, politicans in the Dail will debate Ireland's negotiating position prior to the Hong Kong World Trade Organisation talks from December 13th-18th. It is a critical time to ensure Fair Trade Rules are on the Agenda.

We need your help to contact your TD. As a constituent your contribution can make a difference. The Toolkit and sample letter help to explain the issues focusing on agriculture and trade.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR TD
You can write to your TD at Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2
Email to firstname.surname@oireachtas.ie.
To ring your TD in Dublin, phone Leinster House at 1890 337889 they will put you through, calls charged at local rate.

WHAT ARE THE KEY MESSAGES
The three key messages we feel are most important to get across are:

1. Greater flexibility for developing countries to shape their policies linked to food security, essentially fair trade not free trade
2. Greater access to EU/US markets, especially as we demand Majority World (developing world) countries to open their markets
3. Export subsidies (known as "dumping") must be eliminated, as they destroy the livelihoods and markets of farmers in Majority World countries.

This is not just a Majority World issue. Irish farmers are increasingly feeling the adverse affect of policies adopted under the free trade agenda of the WTO. Farmers in the Majority World, without access to income support have long been aware of the often negative impact of free trade as they see their incomes decline and markets lost through cheap imports.

Please let us know how you get on - email cork@comhlamh.org or call us

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR TRADE JUSTICE