Greenpeace leak shows risks of EU-U.S. deal

European Union (EU) standards on the environment and public health risk being undermined by compromises with the United States (U.S.), Greenpeace has warned, citing leaked documents.

The environmental group obtained 248 pages of classified documents from the TTIP trade talks, aimed at clinching a far-reaching EU-U.S. free trade deal.

Secrecy surrounding the talks has fuelled fears that U.S. corporations may erode Europe’s consumer protections.

But the EU’s top trade official denied any agenda to lower EU standards.

“I am simply not in the business of lowering standards,” said EU Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstroem, in her blog, after the Greenpeace leak was published.

TTIP’s supporters say a deal would create many new business opportunities.