Will GATS affect water Services or force liberalisation?
Since 1989, UK water companies in England and Wales have been in the private sector and some are now foreign owned. We have not made any GATS commitments. However, we have asked whether the UK should agree to bind our current water regime in the GATS on the understanding that such commitments would not prevent the supply of water to UK households. The Community has invited developed and a number of developing countries to consider taking commitments on the liberalisation of water collection, purification and distribution services. However the EU’s requests make clear that they in no way seek the dismantling of public services nor the privatisation of state owned companies. And they exclude access to resources (ie ownership of the water itself) and any cross-border transportation by pipeline or other means. As with all sectors, nothing in the GATS forces any country to liberalise water supply – and to date no Members have made commitments in this sector. Nevertheless, the Government bel
