BIFA talks fail

THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) deeply regrets the failure of the World Trade Organisation talks in Geneva, to reach a global trade pact and is also disappointed that the EU, Europe and other commercial powers then traded blame for the collapse of seven years of talks.

“We are concerned that the world’s trading activity, in which BIFA members have a vested interest, will be disrupted and fail to develop in a way that enriches global economy and commerce,” says Peter Quantrill (right), BIFA director general.

“What is of concern to us as a trade association, is the fall-out from failure. Nations may now scale down free trade and switch to bilateral relationships which would be a return to the bad old days of protectionism.

“Over the last few decades, the world has benefited immeasurably from liberalised trade. Not only has consumer choice been enriched in many countries, but also out-sourcing of production has brought valuable employment to developing economies throughout the world. BIFA members have worked to bring these products to the UK and taken UK production to customers abroad.

“The failure of these talks now throws these positive developments into risk and BIFA urges all participants in the WTO to re-engage and return to the table to avoid the worse of the consequences of the failure,” he concluded.