Reading Trade Justice Group Annual Report 27 Nov 2003

Activities

2002

Nov	AGM/Wrote to MPs about EU GATS hearing
Dec	Signed up to 2nd Open letter to Pascal Lamy from Civil Society

2003

Jan	Introduction of Consultation Document
Feb	Meeting with Jane Griffiths
Mar	Meeting with Oxfam group to discuss 'The Alternatives' Lead by Sean
Apr	Started to Discuss Education/Outreach
May	Talk by Tim Peat of TJM about the June Lobby + New Issues
Jun	Trade Justice Lobby: Lobbied Jane G, helped to coordinate the Lobby of Martin + John R. In the Reading Chronicle, Evening Post + Henley Standard. Mentioned in Both Martin and Jane's Columns in the Chronicle.
Jul	Education/Consultation Document
Aug	No Meeting
Sep	Consultation Doc sent off - Prosperity for All
Oct	Education/ Launch of Newsletter
Nov	AGM

Reading Group:

Met - At least 2 times
Discussed:

March	the Alternatives
May	'Britain in the Global Economy' and 'Trade and Industry'

2004

Expiry of the Peace Clause:

The Peace clause in the Agreement on Agriculture expires at the end of 2003. Things will undoubtably begin to happen on the Agriculture front in 2004.

Steel+GM tariffs WTO

Likewise with the WTO situation between the EU and the US. The recent WTO ruling on the illegality of US steel import tariffs will almost certainly cause things to happen in the US and the EU.

GATS deadlines etc

This round of GATS negotiations is due to complete on Jan 01 2005 - expect campaigning on GATS to ramp up throughout the year.

WTO Ministerials

Looks like the next WTO Ministerial may be in 2005. Almost certainly in Hong Kong.

TJ Lobby 2004?

Will there be a TJM lobby in June again this year? We should be aware of this.