Press releases

For more information on any of these stories click here to email John Walden, Press & Liaison Officer.


5 April 2004
Euro MP votes to protect independent meat inspection
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, voted in the recent (30 March) session
of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to protect the quality of red meat
in our shops and helped to thwart plans to privatise meat inspection.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England in the European Parliament,
crucially joined other British Labour MEPs in successfully voting against
plans to let large meat producers inspect their own slaughterhouses.  Labour
Euro MPs believe that Britain's current system of independent inspection by
local authority meat inspectors offers a better guarantee of quality and
public protection against disease.
Mrs McNally said, "If we had gone down the road of letting meat producers
inspect their own slaughterhouses there's no telling how food safety could
have been compromised.  It would have been all too easy for employees to be
influenced by bosses to be compliant."
"It's clear to me that we've taken a line that local people, and the British
public in general, would support, and it makes this vote an important
victory for consumer rights and food standards."
The Council of Ministers representing the governments of all the EU Member
States had been backing the new proposals so this reversal in the Parliament
means that conciliation will have to take place to try and reach a
compromise.

15 March 2004
Euro MP disappointed on agricultural reforms
Labour MEP for this region, Mrs Eryl McNally, has just returned disappointed
from the Strasbourg session of the European Parliament where a vote took
place on proposals to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region, said, "My fellow
Labour MEPs and I pushed for the EU to press ahead with agricultural reform
but sadly the Parliament voted to support proposals that will, if adopted,
partially roll back reform of the Common Agricultural Policy."
"I am very disappointed about the vote and it shows a reluctance of many
Euro MPs, many of whom are in British opposition parties, to bite the bullet
on this issue."
"Measure supported in the vote, like bolstering subsidies to tobacco and
cotton growers in Southern Europe won't help.  We need to be much more
radical."
"It's no good politicians shying away from telling the truth about the CAP
to constituents in farming areas.  The only way forward in an enlarged EU is
to support a wider range of rural development and to do away with subsidies
for growing crops many of which are not needed."
"The Tories aren't helping by saying there should be reform and then
complaining about it - this is just hypocrisy on their part."
"This latest vote will not move us forward.  Continuing export subsidies
just puts a further nail in the coffin of agricultural workers in the
developing world and leads them into deeper poverty.  I can't stand for that
nor can I understand how any Euro MPs could vote for it and hold up their
heads."
"Change to the CAP must come soon as delay only makes matters worse.  I hope
that the Council of Ministers from the Member States will reject these
backward-looking proposals."
"My Labour colleagues and I will be promoting reforms in the interests of
Britain, of Europe and of a more just world."

Euro MP joins in call to end illegal trade in bushmeat
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, supported the vote in the recent
Strasbourg session of the European Parliament calling for firm action
against the illegal trade in bushmeat.  She says that this threatens the
health of many of Europe's and Africa's poor and contributes to the
destruction of endangered species and habitats in Africa and elsewhere in
the developing world.
Bushmeat is the term used to describe wildlife that is hunted for food in
many parts of the world.  It is mainly associated with Central and West
Africa, and can be anything from gorillas and chimpanzees to antelopes,
porcupines and cane rats.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parliament, said, "Labour MEPs are demanding firm action from the European
Commission and EU Member State governments to tackle the dangerous and
illegal trade in bushmeat.  It is estimated that 5 million tonnes of
bushmeat from the Congo basin in central Africa alone is traded every year.
Very worrying is the fear that an unknown quantity of bushmeat is illegally
imported into the EU."
"Ebola, hepatitis and other dangerous, even fatal, infectious diseases can
be contracted from the consumption of bushmeat.  The meat is consumed by
some of Europe's poorest people, including the UK, and it presents a serious
health hazard."
"We are calling for a proper enforcement regime in the UK and the rest of
the EU to stop the trade and ensure that trading standards officers and the
police are able to identify and destroy dangerous meat."
"We don't want to put the already poor bushmeat hunters into more dire
poverty so we're planning to try and help give them decent alternative ways
of earning a living."
"Unlike the Tories in the European Parliament who want to slash humanitarian
aid, we want to help create sustainable economies in Central Africa and all
the other places where the bushmeat trade thrives.  One example of this
would be changes to the practice of freezing out agricultural produce from
the developing world from over-priced European markets and dumping our
excess production on the world market at a subsidised rate."

26 March 2004
Euro MP wants 'sensible but effective' protection for animals
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, is backing plans to further strengthen
protection of animals that will be voted on in next week's European
Parliament session in Strasbourg.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parliament, said, "I know this is an important issue for many of my
constituents so they will be pleased to know that my colleagues on the
Agriculture Committee have recently won some important concessions."
"These include limiting the journey times for animals being taken for
slaughter to nine hours and allowing the UK to ban the export of horses for
slaughter."
"In the full Parliament session next week my Labour colleagues and I want to
press for our policy of limiting journey times for slaughter and fattening
to eight hours."
"I see these proposals as sensible but effective policies that get the
balance right between animal welfare and sustainable farming. "

24 March 2004
Euro MP welcomes decision to protect dolphins and porpoises
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has welcomed the decision by the
European Council of Ministers to phase out drift nets that kill many
thousands of dolphins every year.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parlaiment, said, "I'm rather disappointed that the Ministers from the EU
Member States have delayed the phasing in of this measure but it's a big
step forward."
"My Labour colleagues and I have been pushing for some time in the European
Parliament to get rid of these killer nets. This has been in response to
the many approaches that we've had from constituents who are concerned about
animal welfare and conservation issues."
"This has come about as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Perversely Tory MEPs have welcomed these proposals but many Tories say they
would scrap the CFP - the very mechanism used to make the changes happen."
"The unnecessary killing of dolphins and porpoises in Europe's seas is a
terrible waste of these beautiful animals and the measures proposed by the
Parliament, and now accepted by Member States, should make a real
difference."

10 February 2004
Euro MP backs protection of dolphins and porpoises
Local MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, is joining her Labour colleagues in the
European Parliament to press for the extension of strict rules on fishing
nets to the Baltic to save dolphins and porpoises. This comes about as
Poland and the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are poised to
join the EU - in May this year.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the Parliament,
said, "I know from my post bag that many of my constituents are concerned
about animal welfare and conservation issues. While the Tories complain
about the likely effects of an enlarged EU, Labour MEPs are pushing to make
improvements that can only come about by the arrival of the ten new
countries."
"The unnecessary killing of dolphins and porpoises in Europe's seas is a
terrible waste of these beautiful animals and the measures we're proposing
should make a real difference."
"The Tories seem to want a free-for-all on the seas and that would end in an
ecological disaster. Only Europe-wide action of the type that Labour MEPs
are promoting is the sensible way forward."

Note to Editors
The measures include:
· A general restriction on the length of drift-nets in the Baltic from
1 July 2004, and a further reduction out of drift-net fishing by 1 January
2007;
· Compulsory use of acoustic deterrent devices, known as 'pingers', in
certain fisheries where the risk of catching dolphins and porpoises is
particularly great,
· Introduction of a comprehensive system for monitoring the level of
dolphins and porpoises that are caught, so that policies to cut that level
even further can be introduced.

Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has signed a petition to the European Commission asking officials to draft legislation to outlaw the culling of seals across Europe.

Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European Parliament, said, "British labour MEP have been pushing to get a Europe-wide ban that would see an end to the clubbing to death of baby seals."
"I'm pleased to say that the British government has already stopped seal culling in the UK but by signing the petition we're calling for laws to end this cruel and unnecessary activity across Europe. That would be a first step towards a worldwide ban on this barbarous killing."
"I know from my post bag that many of my constituents fully support the stance of Labour MEPs on this issue. It's only by getting more than half of all MEPs to sign up that we can require the civil servants of the European
Commission to draft new laws. We're calling on Euro MPs from all other parties to back us to put this legislation in place. I hope they won't let down both us and thousands of constituents."

MEP backs final EU deal to ban cosmetics tested on animals

Local Labour Euro MP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has voted in the European Parliament (Wednesday 16 January) to bring about a ban on the sale in Britain and the rest of the EU of virtually all animal-tested cosmetic products from 2009.

Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England Region in the European Parliament, said, “We’ve battled for over ten years to get this ban and it very satisfying to finally get virtually everything we’ve been seeking. The new laws will meet the wishes of thousands of my constituents as well as many more across Europe. Most people want a much more animal friendly world to live in, and that we’ve achieved.”

The new legislation will ban animal testing in the EU from 2009 and will not allow into Britain any beauty and hygiene products tested on animals anywhere else in the world.

Mrs McNally added, “I’m sorry it’s taken so long to enact this very significant piece of animal welfare legislation but we were up against some very vested commercial interests. It’s also a shame that Parliament decided to compromise on the start date because the cosmetic companies wanted more time to develop alternative forms of testing.”

“The good news is that the EU is using it’s powers to get ‘cruel cosmetic’ swept off the shelves.”

On RSPCA calculations around 38,000 animals are used and killed in the EU alone every year for the development of new cosmetic products.

Background

A 1993 EU decision to introduce a sales ban on animal tested cosmetics was overturned by the European Commission in April 2000. Instead, the Commission produced a “watered down” proposal for a ban on testing cosmetics on animals in the EU. After a protracted battle, MEPs successfully reinstated the comprehensive testing and sales ban in the new legislation which will be given final approval this Wednesday.

Many of the big cosmetic companies have tested their products/ingredients - shampoos, shower gel, lipsticks etc - on animals.

An EU sales ban means that cosmetics, tested on animals, cannot be sold in the EU. Cosmetic companies will have to find alternative non-animal tests to sell new products on the European market.

An EU testing ban would end cosmetic testing on animals in the EU. But cosmetic companies could relocate their testing laboratories outside the EU and sell their products as normal on the European market. On it’s own an EU testing ban would export cruelty.

Britain has banned the testing of cosmetics and their ingredients on animals since 1998, but most cosmetics sold in the UK are manufactured abroad and therefore subject to animal tests. Only Holland and Austria have similar bans to the UK. Most European testing is done in France and Italy.

There are 14 different categories of animal tests and this agreement initially covers 11 of the 14. A ban on the use of the remaining three - where an alternative to animal testing simply does not exist - is not due to enter into force before 2013 at the earliest. This means that products evaluated using the three exempted tests will still be able to be sold up to that date too. But MEPs say it would take new legislation to allow cosmetics firms to use the three offending tests after 2014. And they are unlikely to agree to extend the deadline.

Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has rejected claims by the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) that European Parliament proposals would substantially increase flying hours and put the lives of passengers and crew at risk.

Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England Region in the European Parliament, said, “With both London Luton International and Stansted airports in my constituency I am very keen for pilots and passengers to be clear about these proposals. First and foremost they will not mean that pilots will be forced to work longer hours.”

“The proposals aim to create a European framework for flight time regulations. Instead of having fifteen different systems – one for each Member State – we’d have one common system.

“My Parliamentary colleagues and I will be setting a maximum limit above which pilots can’t be asked to work. British pilots have some of the best rules as far as working time is concerned and there is nothing in this report that stops them from having the same system that they have now.

“This will be good news for British travellers when they fly with other EU airlines as they will know that their pilots too will be subject to this common limit – making European air travel safer.

26 April 2004
"One step nearer to ending printer cartridge scam", says Euro MP
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, supported the successful recent vote in
the European Parliament in Strasbourg that could put an end to big
manufacturers making it impossible to use refillable cartridges in their
printers.
If confirmed at a further sitting of the Parliament and agreed by government
ministers the new rules will pass into law. This will require printer
manufacturers to ensure that in future all inkjet printer cartridges must be
refillable and recyclable.
Mrs McNally, who is the Co-ordinator on industry matters for the European
Parliamentary Socialist Group, said, "My Labour colleagues and I have been
pushing for some time, backed by organisations such as the Consumers'
Association, to end the practice of some manufacturers installing 'smart
chips' which prevent cartridges being refilled-and also suggest that they
are empty when in fact they often still contain significant amounts of ink."
"So many people use these products but just a few manufacturers have got the
market cornered. We intend to put an end to that in the interests of
consumer choice, value for money and for saving our natural resources
through recycling. "
"If we can get this law on the statute book then it will be a major step
forward in both protecting the rights of consumers and benefiting the
environment. I'm pleased that it has been Labour MEPs leading the way on
this issue - the EU again improving people's lives."

Euro MP to vote to tackle counterfeiting and piracy
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, is to back a key change in European laws that could help save lives and preserve jobs. New laws to stop
counterfeiting, to be voted on by the European Parliament in Strasbourg this
week, mean there will be a common European approach to tackling this type of fraud.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parliament, said, "It's been estimated that counterfeiting - the passing of
substandard and fraudulently made goods as quality or branded products -
annually costs the UK as much as £1.75 billion in lost VAT alone. That's
enough to build four new regional hospitals - every year!"
"Some of these goods are a serious health threat as well, especially
counterfeit alcoholic drinks, which can contain high levels of spirits meant
for industrial use and which have caused at least one death in the UK in the
last year."
"Other examples of these dangerous goods are toys coated with high levels of
lead and children's clothing made from flammable materials."
"This law isn't about, say, copying a CD for a friend, although that remains
illegal; it's main aim is to put in place the framework that will allow us
to seek out and destroy criminal gangs across Europe."
"It is estimated that as many as 4,000 people in the UK lose their jobs
every year as a direct result of counterfeiting and piracy. Along with the
attendant dangers of counterfeit goods it is absolutely right that the
European Parliament should take swift and effective action."

19 February 2004
Euro MP votes to protect local consumers from disqualified professionals
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, helped win an important victory in the
European Parliament in its recent session in Strasbourg, overturning a
recommendation that could have seen professionals who'd been banned from
practising in one country operating in another. At the same time, however,
the new rules will give new rights to UK professionals, allowing them to
work in all other EU countries as part of a Europe wide recognition of
professional qualifications.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the Parliament,
said, "My Labour colleagues and I were determined to overturn the proposal
that would have allowed medical and other professionals to practise in the
UK and across the EU for up to 16 weeks before registering. This we
successfully did."
"We simply couldn't, for example, give medics who'd been struck off in one
country the chance to hop around Europe doing short stints when they weren't
fit to practise."
"As the EU expands to 25 countries in May this year the notion of
professional people being able to work wherever they wish is very positive.
Free movement of labour in the EU is very commendable as long as it doesn't
give any loophole to those who might be dangerous, who've committed crimes
or have been disqualified. I feel reassured that my constituents will be
protected by our new proposals."
"Another plus to these new rules will be the opportunity for the managers of
our public services to draw in well qualified EU nationals to further
enhance their provision in our local communities."

Notes to editors:
· The legislation is subject to agreement by the governments of Member
States (Council of Ministers) and could come back to the Parliament if the
Council wants amendments.
· The proposed directive will replace 15 existing directives that
regulate the recognition of professional qualifications. Regulated
professions such as doctor, nurse, mid-wife, dentist, pharmacist, vet,
engineer, architect, accountant, tax consultant, physiotherapist,
radiologist, psychologist, sports instructor, tourist guide, surveyor,
estate agent, hairdresser and electrician will be covered.
· Lawyers' ability to practise will continue to be covered by other
directives but the recognition of their qualifications will be covered by
this proposed directive.

Labour Euro MP's airline compensation plan takes off
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has welcomed the successful vote in the pre-Christmas European Parliament session (18 December) in Strasbourg that saw her party's plans accepted - giving compensation to airline passengers who are let down by their carriers.
Travellers whose holidays and business trips are ruined or delayed by over-booking and unnecessarily cancelled flights could get a minimum immediate compensation of £175.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region, said, "For too long
now some airlines have had a very cavalier attitude towards their clients
and many have been treated very shoddily. These new regulations mean that
the bad carriers must clean up their act or face financial penalties by paying compensation to any passengers they let down."
"The European Union acts on a limited numbers of fronts but it makes sense
for all Member States to have a common approach to air travel as it naturally crosses boundaries. So wherever you travel in the current 15 - soon to be 25 - Member States you'll get the same treatment."
"The EU has to be about improving the quality of life of its citizens, and
for those that travel by air - an increasing number year on year - this is
really good news."

Notes to editors
The regulations provide for:-
· In the event of delays, passengers will be offered in all cases meals and refreshments, as well as telephone calls, fax or emails, all free of charge.
· When the time of departure is not until the next day, they should also be offered hotel accommodation and transport to and from the place of accommodation.
· When the delay is over five hours, passengers will have the right to choose between reimbursement of the full price of the ticket or a return flight to the initial point of departure.
· If a passenger is bumped off due to over-booking or a flight is cancelled the following compensation shall be paid immediately:
Flights of 1500 km or less, EUR250 (about £175 at today's exchange rates)
Intra-EU flights of more than 1500 km and all other flights between 1500 and 3500 km, EUR400 (about £280)
For all flights over 3500 Km, EUR600 (about £420)
· The proposal excludes helicopter flights, but includes "low fare" airlines.
· The European Commission has declared that similar rules will be drawn up for international rail, ferry and coach journeys.
· The proposal will come into force in 12 months after publication in the Official Journal.

Safety of sea travellers protected in European Parliament
Euro MP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has welcomed the rejection of a directive in the
recent session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg that set out to
introduce greater competition in port services.
The proposed EU directive would have affected all large ports across Europe,
including the east coast port of Felixstowe and the Channel port of Dover.
It would have meant that all port services - from coffee kiosks to cranes
and loading facilities - had to be put out to tender.
Mrs McNally, who is a Labour member of the European Parliament representing the East of England region, said, "We couldn't get any compromise from the
European Commission on this issue so we had to vote against the whole
package, many parts of which were acceptable. In the end the vote was very
close in our favour.""My Labour colleagues and I are not against competition but we are determined to get a fair deal for dockworkers and to defend safety
standards. It would be very dangerous to enforce open competition on
pilotage as there are huge risks to life and the environment unless the
pilots who help captains bring ships in and out of port meet the highest
standards, and these are founded on good local knowledge and experience."

Euro MP votes for 'win-win' for consumers and farmers on sheep-tagging
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, joined in the successful vote in the
recent Strasbourg session of the European Parliament to introduce a scheme
for monitoring sheep movements that will benefit both consumers and farmers.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parliament, said, "This decision is a real "win-win" situation as it provides reassurance to consumers after recent food scares while giving farmers a workable scheme for keeping track of their animals."
"I was pleased that Parliament was persuaded to reject the EU Commission
proposals, which would have forced farmers to put tags in both ears of all
37 million British sheep - at a cost of nearly £100 million a year. The European Parliament agreed that member states should have the option of adopting the system of batch checking, now in use in Britain. It requires farmers to record the movement of flocks rather than individual sheep."
"The proposed scheme gives consumers the confidence that sick animals can be quickly traced and dealt with, solving one of the great problems revealed by
the horrendous outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Additionally it will mean that farmers have a workable scheme, heading off any risk of overburdening them with red tape."
"This shows yet again that the European Parliament can produce sensible,
workable schemes, that benefit millions of consumers.

Local MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, joined her Labour Party colleagues in the European Parliament in Strasbourg today in approving new rules to make it easier for British nationals to live and work abroad.

Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England Region in the European Parliament, said, “This is a sensible change to the rules and will get rid of unnecessary bureaucracy. More importantly it will make life easier for British people wanting to retire or work in another EU country.

“The EU is meant to provide its citizens with the right of free movement but currently there are too many needless obstacles.

“We’ve set ourselves a target of making the EU the most competitive economy in the world by 2010, and freeing up the movement of people as well as of goods and capital can only help in our aim.

“Some of the European Commission’s proposals will need amendment as the legislative process proceeds as we need to protect against any illegal immigration loopholes. Overall, however, this draft legislation is good news for those wishing to live in other parts of the EU.”

8 March 2004
Euro MP tells students about EU enlargement
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, was a keynote speaker on European
enlargement at the recent inaugural Economics Conference held at Bedford
Modern School and attended by 200 sixth form students.
Mrs McNally, who represents Bedford as part of the East of England region in
the European Parliament, said, "It's always good to discuss European issues
with young people as they're open to new ideas while at the same time being
very critical. The youngsters at the Bedford conference were no different
and it was a pleasure debating with them."
"Meeting them also gave me a chance to explain in more rational terms than
the tabloid press just what the advantages will be of having an enlarged
European Union, moving from 15 to 25 countries in May this year. I was also
able to explode some of the myths and scare stories."
As well as students from the host school others attending came from
Sharnbrook Upper School, Kimbolton School, Bedford High School and Bedford School.
Student Cat Floyd (17), said, "I had no idea how important the imminent
enlargement of the EU was going to be."
Other students, Chris Mason (18) described it as "most informative and
supportive of our studies" and Amar Odedra (18) was pleased that "it was
highly relevant to our courses".
Organiser of the conference, Angela Pollard, Head of Economics at Bedford
Modern School, said, "The event was a great success and plans are already
underway for the next conference to be held at the school."
Other speakers were the former General Secretary of the GMB union, John
Edmonds, Sean Rickard from the University of Cranfield and Nigel Knight
Lecturer in Economics and Politics at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, played host to members of the Friends of Wildeshausen and Evron Associations at the European Parliament in Strasbourg last month (November).
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region, said, "It was really
good to have the visitors from Hertford come and see the European Parliament
in action. I'd invited them to come and see what happens in Strasbourg when
I addressed one of their meetings earlier in the year."
The European Parliament has a visitor service that arranges educational
visits to the parliaments both in Strasbourg and Brussels. On this occasion
the Hertford town twinning enthusiasts saw the Strasbourg Parliament in
session from the hemicycle viewing gallery and by coincidence heard
Commissioner Neil Kinnock address the parliamentarians.
They also had a talk about the Parliament from a member of the visitor
service. Of particular interest was the opportunity to question Mrs McNally
and her colleagues. To provide some variety and balance she introduced a
German woman MEP from a different party to her own and a Frenchman from the Socialist Group. In addition she brought her fellow East of England MEP,
the Conservative, Christopher Beazley, to meet the visitors.
Mrs McNally, concluded, "With no overall majority in the European Parliament
we have to rely upon gaining a consensus and that isn't achieved by shouting
across the chamber at one another. Facing a wide range of political views
and national interests we strive to reach a solution that will improve the
lives of all EU citizens. I hope that the people from Hertford got a
flavour of how we go about just that."

Notes to editors
Representatives of the Friends of Wildeshausen and Evron would be willing to
give further quotes. They may be contacted as follows:
David Kirby 558634(H); 538088 (W)
Diane Ferguson   582946(H); 556324(W)

9th December 2003

Labour MEP for the East of England region, Mrs Eryl McNally, who lives in Abbots Langley, was in Watford on Friday (5 December) to introduce her German colleague, Helmut Kuhne, to Labour Party councillors and members. He was a guest of the party at its Christmas social.

Herr Kuhne, is a sociologist by profession and has represented North Rhine-Westphalia for the Social Democratic Party in the European Parliament since 1999.

He joined Labour Party members from Watford and further afield in Hertfordshire at the Trade Union Hall in Woodford Road to give a short address and to discuss EU issues. He was also Welcomed to Watford by Member of Parliament, Claire Ward.

Mrs McNally said, “It was very useful to get a German colleague from the Parliamentary Socialist Group to share his views on the big issues facing the EU. We had a very informative session and what Helmut had to say was very positive about the future of Europe.”

Herr Kuhne said, “One thing I wanted to get over to people in Hertfordshire is that we need the EU to have common institutions to set common rules. The governments of all Member States have voluntarily given away competencies to these common European institutions and this transfer of powers has been ratified by their democratically elected national parliaments. This reality is in stark contrast to what some British national newspapers would have us believe.”

Mike Jackson, Chairman of the Watford Constituency Labour Party, said, “Helmut Kuhne faced some well informed questioning and gave very straight answers. It was very interesting to get a German social democrat’s perspective on EU issues. He certainly found his audience in agreement that the EU should be about creating a social market as opposed to the US style free-for-all.”

Euro MPs at APU
Labour MEP for the East of England region, Mrs Eryl McNally, was in
Cambridge on Friday (5 December) to introduce her German college, Helmut
Kuhne, to staff and students at the APU. Mrs McNally, herself a former
languages teacher and Ofsted inspector, has a long association with the APU
Division of Languages and Intercultural Studies where her colleague was
guest speaker.
Herr Kuhne, is a sociologist by profession and has represented North
Rhine-Westphalia for the Social Democratic Party in the European Parliament
since 1999.
He spoke about the need for the EU to have common institutions to set common
rules. He reminded his audience that the governments of all Member States
had voluntarily given away competencies to these common European
institutions and that this transfer of powers had been ratified by their
democratically elected national parliaments. He added that this reality was
in stark contrast to what some British national newspapers would have us
believe.
Herr Kuhne said that there was no conspiracy to try and make everyone
'European' - whilst being citizens of the EU we would all keep our
nationality and our national identities. He urged his audience to engage in
the debate on the European constitution and to help to present the truth
about the very democratic way in which the EU operates.
Mrs McNally said, "It was a great pleasure to have my colleague from the
Parliamentary Socialist Group speak at the APU. There was an excellent turn
out of staff and students and they had an opportunity of not only hearing a
German view on the EU but to question Helmut on a wide range of issues."
"I'd like to pay tribute to the APU for staging this very interesting
session that all present seemed to enjoy and appreciate."
Click here for the full text of Helmut Kuhne's speech

9 June 2003

Euro MP praises Blue Flag beaches

Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has welcomed the announcement made (5 June) by the EU of the UK beaches which have been awarded the 2003 European Blue Flag for clean water and sound environmental management.

Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England Region in the European Parliament, said, “Again this year we have several beaches in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk that have reached the very stringent standards required to fly the blue flag. Although these may not be on everyone’s doorstep (Editor: see note below for sites) they are our nearest beaches and this is very positive encouragement to visit them.”

“Over several years now this prestigious award has given clear targets for local authorities to aim for and has been a prime motivator in improving beach standards.”

“The investment of millions of pounds of public money is well spent if it means more visitors come to our beaches – more jobs for local people and more money in the local economy.”

“For local residents too it’s good news because their environment is cleaner and safer.”

“Monetary investment has to be complemented by all who use our beaches playing their part to keep them free from litter.”

“I hope this announcements will be acknowledged as a very positive initiative coming from the European Union – something to enhance the quality of life of thousands of people.”

The EU Blue Flag Award is only given to resorts that pass stringent inspections of beach management and safety.

Water must be clean enough to have achieved Guideline Standard - the highest defined by European Law.

Award winners can fly a Blue Flag during the bathing season, from the beginning of June to the end of September.

They must also display water quality and the facilities they provide on easy-to-read signs.

In the East of England the following beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag for 2003: Cromer; Sheringham; Woolverstone Marina; Felixstowe; Southwold Pier; Lowestoft (north and south of the pier); Dovercourt Bay; Great Yarmouth, Gorlestone; Mundesley; Sea Palling

7 April 2004
Euro MP votes to make all paints green
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, voted in the recent (30 March) session
of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to make paint safer and more
environmentally friendly. Her support contributed to the adoption of a
report aimed at phasing out the use of compounds which increase the risk of
asthma.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parliament, said, "This legislation will mean tougher controls on a wide
range of products, including spray paints for cars. While consumers will
still have access to a wide range of paint products the Parliament has
looked to prioritise the protection of public health and the environment."
"Because of their historic and cultural value we will continue to allow
users such as owners of vintage cars and historic buildings to continue to
apply paint containing volatile organic compounds. This will apply only to
be a tiny minority of users and we believe this exception is reasonable."
The new regulations will come into force in two phases in 2007 and 2010. The UK government will have the right to adopt its own market surveillance systems to ensure manufacturers and users are complying with the
legislation.

12 March 2004
Euro MP backs joint research with Israel but condemns its record on Palestine
Labour MEP for this region, Mrs Eryl McNally, who heads up the European
Parliament committee on research for the Socialist group, has given a very
guarded approval to plans to have joint research projects between the EU and
Israel.
Speaking in the Parliament debate in Strasbourg this week, she said,
"Normally a scientific and technological cooperation agreement is
straightforward, very welcome and an occasion for optimism, but not in this
case."
"Israel is a strong scientific country and some very useful
Mediterranean-wide projects, including research into water treatment, have
been carried out and could be carried out in future. However, Israel is not
a normal country because many of the present government's actions are
completely unacceptable: building a fence, occupying territory, breaching
human rights, using repression."
"Despite some joint scientific projects with Palestinians, I have had
complaints regarding barriers to some of that work."
"I certainly don't want people to see our signing or ratifying this
agreement to be perceived as giving the green light and an encouraging
signal and endorsement to the actions of the Israeli Government."
"After a lot of soul-searching most of my Labour colleagues and I have come
to the conclusion that science and research are positive, that the results
of that work are of benefit to human beings and that this allows dialogue
and provides an opening for work with Palestinians."
"Although we have great reservations we're putting our faith in the
possibility that the scientific dialogue, without any endorsement of the
Israeli Government's actions, will bring some progress. We want Palestinian
participation without barriers or handicaps."
"We do not want the Israeli government, whose actions we strongly condemn,
to misinterpret this decision and we shall be closely monitoring the
progress of these joint initiatives."

23 February 2004
"Bigger EU means a cleaner Europe", says Euro MP
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has backed plans to clean up the Med - a move she says will make for much cleaner beaches for British holidaymakers
to visit on mainland Europe. This comes as the European Parliament voted to
endorse new proposals to combat pollution from ships and to clean up faster
in emergencies.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parliament, said, "Perhaps the most significant feature to updating and
strengthening current legislation is that from 1 May we'll have two new
Mediterranean countries - Cyprus and Malta - joining the EU. Our community
laws on pollution are much tougher than those that generally apply so this
is good news for anyone holidaying in these areas."
"Millions of British people, many from this region, take a holiday in the
Med. The bulk of these are beach holidays and because of co-operation by
all EU Member States people know that cleanliness issues are being
addressed."

"Last month the Parliament debated proposals to reduce pollution in our
rivers and with several Baltic states joining the EU in May these will have
a big impact. Anyone in doubt about the enlargement of the EU just needs to
see the very positive effect that our tough community laws will have in
making us a much cleaner, greener, Europe."

Notes to editors:
· The recent vote is a step towards updating and strengthening the
1977 Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against
Pollution.
· Six million people from Britain visit Spain every year, three
million travel to Greece, two million go to Italy and one million go to
Cyprus.

29 January 2004
MEP speaks at European renewable energy conference
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, recently (21 January) spoke at a
conference on renewable energy in Berlin. The event, entitled "Intelligent
Policy Options", was organised by the European Commission in association
with various other bodies including the European Forum on Renewable Energy
Sources of which Mrs McNally is a recent past President.
The aim of the conference was to analyse policy developments in the field of
renewable energy over the past four years and to look forward to policy
opportunities and market prospects for the fifteen years.
Mrs McNally, who is the spokesperson on energy matters for the Parliamentary Socialist Group, said, "There was unanimous agreement that we should proceed without delay in setting new ambitious targets of 20% of all energy being from renewable sources by 2020. This would include not just electricity generation but also fuels for transport, heating and cooling.
"Over 45 countries attended the conference and we agreed that the new
targets were needed to provide medium and long term investment security for
companies in the field and to help bring about a substantial increase in the
use of renewables."
"In addition renewable energy sources would improve the security of supply
in Europe, and in developing countries would help to provide access to
energy in support of poverty eradication leading to economic development."
"The threat of climate change demands that the proportion of energy provided
by renewable is dramatically increased."
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European
Parliament, said, "Here in our region many initiatives are taking place on
the renewable energy front, notably the development of offshore wind
turbines. This is not only good for the reason given above but it also
provides jobs and improves our local economy."

"EU means a much cleaner, greener Europe," says Euro MP
Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, says that with eight Eastern European countries, along with Cyprus and Malta, joining the EU on 1st May of this year, business and holiday travellers can look forward to much better water
cleanliness standards than hitherto.
Joining the European Union will mean the countries of Eastern Europe will be forced to match the strict regulations of the current 15 Member States when it comes to cleaning up rivers and seas, thanks to measures approved in the recent (10 January) session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England region in the European Parliament, said, "This is very good news for the whole of the EU but in particular for those local people who choose to travel to these new 'accession' countries or visit the North Sea coast."
"We've toughened up laws on detergents and this will result in much better quality of water in our rivers and seas. The big bubble bath that many Eastern European rivers currently represent will become a thing of the past.
In particular those rivers that drain into the Baltic and then into the North Sea will become cleaner - very good news for local people."
"In Western Europe the levels of phosphates in drinking water have fallen by between 50 and 80 per cent since the early 1980s. This new measure will tighten up on labelling of detergents and ensure they will eventually break down into safe components once they are discharged into water. The new regulations will cover all 25 EU Countries so it just goes to show that working together on some issues we can achieve much more than working alone - that's what the EU is all about."

13 January 2004
Euro MP raises safety concerns in EU nuclear debate
Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, who represents the East of England region, took part in a recent European Parliament debate (Monday 12 January) and raised grave concerns about the safety of the nuclear power industry.
Mrs McNally, who is the spokesperson on energy issues for the Parliamentary Socialist Group, said that by speaking in the debate she was doing her duty by representing the very real fears and concerns of European citizens,
including her own local constituents.
She said, "My views about the future of nuclear power are quite pessimistic. Market liberalisation means that there is practically no future for nuclear power without a huge change in the ability of states to promote it. "
"There is an ever-present danger of nuclear accidents and uncertainty surrounding the disposal of existing radioactive waste. The situation has been further worsened by 11 September and the resulting serious security
question. Sadly the EU Member States were cowardly by failing to grab the opportunity to make changes to the Euratom Treaty as part of the recent European Convention."
"Many people in this region and across the UK don't accept the safety of so-called deep geological burial of nuclear waste. We must look at other possibilities, including partition and transmutation. The issue of decommissioning funds is one that has been rightly raised."
"I read recently that Germany has come up with a somewhat bizarre solution which appears to be to cover nuclear power stations with artificial fog! Frankly, we need to be a little bit more constructive than that."
"The reports we discussed in the Parliament are worthy of support but a lot more needs doing by the European Commission and EU Member States if citizens' worries on nuclear safety, that I hear, are to go away."

19 December 2003
"Jobs and environmentally friendly electricity - a great combination", says Euro MP
Local MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, who has a special responsibility for energy
matters in the European Parliament, has welcomed the government's
announcement that the east coast will have two more offshore wind farms for
electricity generation.
The UK's Department of Trade and Industry has just announced that fifteen
new sites are to be granted licences for marine wind farms and two of these
are off the Norfolk coast - Sheringham and Dudgeon East.
Mrs McNally is the Parliamentary Socialist Group's spokesperson on energy
matter and was until recently the President of the European Forum on
Renewable Energy Sources. She said, "This is excellent news for the region.
This is cutting edge technology with a large capital investment. This will
be good for job creation and the local economy as a whole, and importantly
the electricity generated is 'green'."
Representing the East of England region for the Labour Party, Mrs McNally,
added, "
The UK is considered to be the windiest country in Europe and much attention
is being paid to our region's coast. The region's first offshore wind farm
- at Gunfleet Sands, off Clacton-on-Sea, - was recently given permission to
start work."
"It has been estimated that our present electricity needs could be met more
than three times over by offshore wind energy. The government has a
commitment that 10% of electricity in the UK should be generated from
renewable sources by 2010, but I'm hoping that we can do even better than
that."
"Clean, renewable energy, like that generated in these wind farms, is the
way forward for a sustainable energy policy. This latest news provides jobs
and environmentally friendly electricity - it's a great combination and will
benefit people across the East of England."

East coast wind power will give lots of clean energy
Euro MP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has welcomed the recent announcement by the
government giving permission for work to commence on the building of an
offshore wind plant. It will be situated at Gunfleet Sands, 4 miles from
Clacton-on-Sea in Essex.
Mrs McNally, who is a Labour member of the European Parliament representing the East of England region, said, "This is part of the government's ongoing programme to significantly increase its supply of wind-generated electricity over the next several years."
Mrs McNally, who is a former President of the European Renewable Energy
Forum (EUFORES) said, "This is a 108-megawatt plant that is expected to
produce enough clean energy to meet the annual electricity requirements of
about 85,000 average U.K. households. It will mean less reliance on fossil
fuels and the much more dangerous nuclear power."
As the Co-ordinator for the Socialist Group on the European Parliament's
committee dealing with energy matters, Mrs McNally, added, "This is a very
welcome development that will, no doubt, be followed by other schemes
harnessing the great power of offshore wind. These will have not only help
the environment but will importantly generate jobs in the region."
Work is planned to commence in 2005 and will be carried out by GE Wind
Energy.

Local Member of the European Parliament Eryl McNally has welcomed the Parliament's approval of a report that calls for more funding for research in the European Union.

Mrs McNally, Labour member for the East of England, backed the report by her German colleague Rolf Linkohr during Tuesday's vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The report asks the countries of the EU to implement an agreement made in Barcelona in 2002, which set the goal of three per cent of the EU's wealth to be spent on research by 2010.

Speaking after the vote, Mrs McNally said: "Basic research is the best method for promoting economic growth and creating jobs, and we strongly support the Barcelona objective. However, we now need the governments of EU countries to show a greater will to follow-up and reach this goal."

She added: "There is a great potential for science in Europe, but we need appropriate funding in order not to waste the promise shown by many young scientists, especially women. Their talents and innovation can benefit us all if we give them the necessary political support."

Mrs McNally also underlined the importance on a local level. "The East of England is the leading UK region in terms of research, yet we still fall behind the levels in the United States, and in other EU countries such as Sweden and Finland", she added. "We need greater public and private funding to achieve the target that we have set - a target that will help to create a dynamic and growing economy that will benefit citizens across Europe, including the people of the East of England."

14th July 2003

Euro MP welcomes more wind power

Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has welcomed the announcement by Trade Secretary Rt Hon Patricia Hewitt, MP, for the development of the next generation of offshore wind farms. Some of these will be off the north Norfolk coast in the Greater Wash.

Mrs McNally, who is President of the European Forum on Renewable Energy Sources said, “This is good news for our region as it will bring much needed jobs. Not only that but it has benefits for the wider community in that it will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels or dangerous nuclear power.”

Mrs McNally, who is also the Co-ordinator on energy matters for the European Parliamentary Socialist Group, said, “The UK government’s Energy White Paper committed us to providing 10% of energy from renewable sources by the year 2010 and my wish to see a greater percentage is encouraged by this initiative.”

Mrs McNally, who represents the East of England Region in the European Parliament, added, “Our region has prime sites for offshore wind power generation. Already we’ve started building one of the country’s first such sites at Scroby Sands near Great Yarmouth.”

20 May 2003

Euro MP says companies must pay for environmental damage

Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, voted in the recent (14th May) European Parliament session in Strasbourg for new rules to make companies fully liable for the repair costs of the environmental damage they cause.

Speaking after the successful vote Mrs McNally said, “This is a common sense proposal for environmental protection although it won’t go down very well with rogue companies that pollute our environment. It’s about time they were made to pay the full costs of repairing their damage.”

“In the past companies have been fined for their pollution but that nowhere near meets the real costs of cleaning up so all too often it’s the council tax payer who foots the bill.”

“This should send a clear message to companies that they must be responsible and mend their ways. It’s not been uncommon for toxic chemicals to be dumped causing untold damage to rivers and drinking water supplies. This just can’t go on.”

"The European Commission estimates that some 300,000 sites across Europe are definitely or potentially contaminated and the clean-up costs are estimated at anything up to £75 billion. We want to make sure that the company that caused the damage pays for the restoration of contaminated sites.”

“Enforcing the polluter pays principle will put a lot of pressure on companies to take the necessary precautions to minimise the risk of environmental accidents. We’re exploring a number of ways in which companies can be made to have the financial wherewithal to pay for any environmental damage they cause.”

Under current UK law you can be taken to court and fined for damage done to the environment. But you are not liable for the full costs of repair.

The European Commission has brought forward draft EU laws establishing a new principle of strict liability that will ensure that companies will have to pay the full costs of remedying serious environmental damage to land, water and biodiversity.

The proposals must be agreed by EU Governments before becoming law. But MEPs have equal power with EU Governments in drafting this legislation, they can reject the whole proposal if they do not agree with the final text.

23 April 2003

Euro MP says we can match the Azores for renewable energy

Local Labour MEP, Mrs Eryl McNally, has recently visited the Azores at the invitation of a Portuguese Euro MP to carry out a fact-finding mission into their use of renewable energy sources. She found that on one island these account for 80% of their energy production and she says that this region has the right conditions to do similar.

Mrs McNally, who is President of the European Forum on Renewable Energy Sources, said, “Here in the East of England we also have a great potential to use renewable energy sources. Both offshore and on-shore wind power is just waiting to be harnessed. With our excellent agricultural land we can also produce the crops to provide ‘biomass’ fuel.”

“The European Parliament is very keen to encourage partnerships between projects in different countries to promote the use of renewable energy sources (RES). Funding is available to projects where partners come together to share expertise.”

“It’s vitally important that we develop these new RES technologies. It will lead to far less reliance on energy supplies from outside the EU and will help in meeting our Kyoto commitments on reducing greenhouse gases.”

“I’m pleased to say that agreement is likely this week in the Parliament on my ‘Intelligent Energy’ report. This proposes that the EU becomes the most ‘energy intelligent’ economy in the world, having the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency as the cornerstone of its energy policies.”

“If Member States agree, this will release 200 million Euros (just under £140m) for renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes.”

7 April 2003

Statement in response to Eastern Daily Press article (31 March 2003) on biofuels

“As President of EUFORES (European Forum on Renewable Energy Sources) this is the kind of initiative that I strongly support. Last year I hosted a UK conference in the East of England region on biofuels and am very keen to see their use encouraged.”

“I’ve had discussions with British Sugar about biofuels and see the East of England as a perfect region for growing biofuel crops.”

“The European Union is shortly bringing into law a directive urging governments to support biofuels. I’m delighted that this action is being taken and I’ll be writing to Chancellor Gordon Brown to encourage him to be as generous as he can be.”

“Biofuels offer great advantages. First and foremost they strengthen our security of energy supply and therefore make us less dependent on world events in the oil producing regions (many of which are politically unstable).”

“They also help protect the environment as they are carbon dioxide neutral (they absorb from the atmosphere as much carbon dioxide as they produce when broken down or burnt).”

“A further positive aspect is that they make us economically competitive. Of particular importance to our region is the potential to provide jobs for people – maybe thousands as biofuels catch on.”

'Made in EU' label not even a runner", says Euro MP
Labour MEP for the region, Mrs Eryl McNally, says that the idea of having
products made in the EU carry a label to that effect is very unlikely to be
even considered formally.
Mrs McNally, who is the spokesperson for the European Parliamentary
Socialist Group on industry matters, says, "Contrary to what some newspapers said this is not something on which the European Commission - the EU's civil servants - is formulating possible legislation. It was simply the subject of one of their working parties."
"I don't see any advantage to consumers in this idea; if anything it would
remove useful information. People would much prefer to see local or
national names of origin on products."
"All the signs are that this will be a non-runner as two of the biggest EU
economies - the UK and Germany - are against it along with Ireland which
currently holds the EU presidency charged with putting legislation on the
statute book."
"This may be a good reminder to constituents not to believe the scare
stories that some newspapers promote. The EU has to be about common senseand on this issue keeping our current labels is best."