The poll, which was carried out by Red C, reveals that the 69% of people are worried about the implications for them if trade deals such as TTIP and CETA go ahead, while 81% of the farmers asked said they too are apprehensive of such deals.

An overwhelming majority of 74% believe a referendum should take place to accept or reject the proposed trade deals.

Campaigns

Uplift is a lobbying group who have been campaigning against TTIP since discussions began. Siobhan O’Donoghue, director at Uplift, welcomed the results of the opinion poll. ”A referendum on TTIP would balance the power of corporations” and put “democracy in the hands that matter – the people’’, she said.

Obstacles

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) discussions have been ongoing between representatives from the EU and US in recent years, and it is hoped the deal will be concluded later this year, before the US presidential elections.

However, several obstacles lie in the way including geographical indications of protected agricultural products and Britain’s recent decision to leave the EU.

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