OREANDA-NEWS. The European Parliament is working on its position on the EU-US trade deal known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The international trade committee is responsible for drafting the Parliament's recommendations; however 14 other EP committees will contribute with their opinions. MEPs are due to debate and vote on the EP's position before summer.

The trade deal, which is still being negotiated, can only enter into force if it has been approved by both the Council and the European Parliament. MEPs have already warned that they would not approve the agreement at any cost and that they will be closely looking at issues such as food standards.

The international trade committee is responsible for drafting the Parliament's position based on a report prepared by Bernd Lange, a German member of the S&D group. However the final vote will only take place once the other 14 committees involved have given their opinions.