Free trade negotiations between the European Union (EU) and 76 African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries are at a critical point. There is increasing pressure for a deal to be agreed before the expiry in December 2007 of the WTO waiver, which provides preferential tariff treatment for products originating in ACP States.

By April 2007, the EU had made detailed proposals for free trade agreement texts in all ACP regions. These texts are far reaching and Oxfam is concerned that the EU's proposals will undermine the livelihoods of poor people. We are not alone. The EU is increasingly coming under criticism from international experts. For example, on 25 May 2007, a world-renowned group of intellectual property experts wrote a hard-hitting letter in the Financial Times arguing that the EU's proposals on intellectual property would 'retard rather than foster ACP countries' social and economic improvement'.

As the deadline approaches there is immense pressure on all sides to reach agreement, but the issues on the negotiating table are complex, and have not yet been completely analysed and debated. Time is needed for the agreements and their implications to be thoroughly examined and discussed by impartial experts, at national government level and with relevant parties, especially farmers' organisations, trade unions, and the private sector. The deadline should be extended, and alternatives to free trade agreements permitted.