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The TTIP negotiations round is taking place in Brussels on 2-6 February. Once the TTIP agreement is concluded, it will have to be approved by the European Parliament before entering into force. The Parliament is currently preparing a mid-term review of the TTIP talks and the report could be voted on in May. (http://www.europarl.europa.eu)

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The trade agreement being negotiated between the US and EU threatens public health, consumer rights and animal welfare standards, shows new analysis today by food and trade experts. The criticisms come as negotiators from both sides of the Atlantic meet behind closed doors in Brussels, Belgium this week to start writing new food safety rules for the trade deal and as hundreds of people demonstrated against the 'Trojan Horse Treaty'.

A document about the deal recently published by the EU shows that officials are planning a major 'power grab' to put trade interests before food safety concerns as part of the planned Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).

The analysis shows that the EU proposals would reduce the possibility of restricting genetically modified foods and the use of hormones and other chemicals in factory-farmed animals by establishing a new transatlantic body to filter all future food safety and animal welfare rules – aiming to facilitate trade "to the greatest extent possible".

First decisions on food safety would be shifted to this new trade committee and away from national and European decision-makers, while also reducing countries' rights to inspect food and agricultural imports at the port of entry – a key measure used to safeguard public health.