Benefits that can be identified have been highly inequitable, favouring the already wealthy and corporate interests above the poor and public interests. Important questions about public health, consumer protection and the role of patent protection have been raised but not resolved. This is why we have called for effective progress in implementing what has in principle been agreed before seeking to move ahead with extensive new liberalisation negotiations. The framework needs to be more secure before it is sensible to strive for the longer term goals. In short, as we would say when discussing issues of food safety, we need to adopt a precautionary approach or the 'precautionary principle'.
Trade is about production and consumption.
Consumers need producers and suppliers of goods and services. Producers and suppliers need consumers. They need to listen to consumers and their needs and are successful if they develop products and services that provide for their needs and desires. Companies have known this for years and as a result many have large customer relations departments. It seems strange therefore that the body mandated the responsibility for governance of world trade excludes input from consumers.