In the most recent rounds of negotiations, several issues were deal with, such as:
Issues related to the livestock sector, questions about animal welfare and regulatory costs that the EU imposes on its productions are not covered. However, these issues are really important in public opinion in the European Union, ASEPHRU (Spanish Association of Eggs Producers) proposed that negotiations associated to the livestock products unprocessed or “commodities” remain outside. Otherwise, the US will not leave out of the negotiations; any sector would be excluded, in order to not downplay the Treaty.
Other aspects such as regulation of organic foods and protection for origin designations still be unresolved. Sector’s meat, request again to eliminate technical barriers that suppose approvals of establishments, the presence of veterinarians in some industries and the obligation of making some investments unjustified, raise the price of paperwork exports companies.
Finally, data protection was excluded from the TTIP’s negotiations as it is considered that the US do not protect properly the personal data of Europeans; and this point slows down the progress of negotiations. The EU government announced that the exchange of data is and will remain justified in some circumstances. However, Brussels doesn’t clarify which will be the treatment granted to the large technology companies especially social networks.
Finally, data protection was excluded from negotiations TTIP as it is considered that the US does not properly protect the personal data of Europeans, and this point slows the progress of negotiations. The Government of the EU announced that the exchange of data is and remains justified in certain circumstances. However, Brussels does not clarify which treatment will be granted to large technology companies especially social networks.
Therefore, the EU doesn’t consider data protection as an open negotiation with the US, the latter (the US) will make a lot of pressure to include certain exception clauses related to data protection.
