"The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) negotiations completely lack transparency and is totally contrary to the democratic processes that we expect from our lawmakers".   Marian Harkin, MEP raised these concerns to the European Commission this week in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.     

"Regardless of the content of the agreement - it is totally unacceptable to avoid public scrutiny while generating policies that will directly impact the lives of the public.  This is a very important issue for all EU citizens and how the European Commission and indeed the European Parliament deal with it will say a great deal about accountability and transparency. "
 
"To give a concrete example ; the three strikes internet disconnnection policy could be included in this agreement which would profoundly restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms of EU citizens.  The European Parliament must be provided with full and transparent information about the negotiations before any further talks on this agreement can continue" she added.

The next round of negotiations will begin in New Zealand in April.  The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a proposed multilateral trade agreement for establishing international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement throughout the participating countries.