Submission Overview

The ECA has a clear understanding of, and actively engages with, the Treaty Process. It believes that it is vital that the trading community and the wider public have a good understanding of the Treaty Process. Not only does that assist the Treaty Process and the implementation of the Treaties but it may also serve to dispell some common misconceptions regarding the Treaty Process, which adversely affect views on the Treaty Process. By way of example, the recent high level of speculation regarding alleged provisions of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and the adverse effect on biosecurity due to various FTA has been both inaccurate and unhelpful.

The ECA is of the view that the Treaty Process could benefit from additional transparency and engagement, which should include enhanced promotion of the Treaty Process, the Treaty agenda, the terms of proposed Treaties, the benefits of Treaties (from the National Interest Analysis and otherwise), the dates of adoption of the Treaties, as well as implementation of Treaties and success stories