Dutch MPs back EU’s Ceta trade treaty with Canada

The Dutch parliament on Tuesday voted narrowly in favour of ratifying the EU’s trade treaty with Canada.

All four coalition parties backed the Ceta treaty after ChristenUnie agreed to fall into line following ‘guarantees’ from the cabinet on food safety.

Most opposition parties – on both the left and the far right – are opposed to the treaty, but ChristenUnie support was enough for it to win the backing of the lower house. One independent MP also voted in favour.

In the senate, however, the government coalition can only count on 32 seats and it would need 38 for a majority.

Opposition to the treaty centres on the likely impact on smaller Dutch farmers, food issues and the decision to include an arbitration panel to deal with trade disputes.