Further safeguarding measures against rice imports from Myanmar as a deterrent for human rights violations and attacks on democracy

Question for written answer  E-002067/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Inma Rodríguez-Piñero (S&D), Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D), Clara Aguilera (S&D), Javi López (S&D), Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D)

In Parliament we are following with concern the military coup in Myanmar in the wake of the democratic elections on 1 February 2021. The House adopted a resolution condemning the military’s use of violence during peaceful protests against the coup and human rights violations.

The EU is upholding trade preferences with Myanmar on imports of products such as rice, despite the attacks on the people and democracy in the country. In February 2020, the Commission withdrew a number of similar preferences that were in place with Cambodia because of human and workers’ rights violations.

There is a safeguard clause regarding rice imports from Myanmar and Cambodia which ends in 2021. The European sector fears that when that clause expires, imports will increase again and the prices of European products will tumble.

• 1.Does the Commission plan on taking any action against Myanmar for the human rights violations following the military coup?
• 2.If the Commission does implement measures or impose sanctions, will they involve the withdrawal of trade preferences for Myanmar’s strategic products, such as rice?
• 3.Could the safeguard clause on rice imports be extended and used as a deterrent?