Tag "Member of the European Parliament"
Green MEPs take broader role
Keith Taylor MEP considers the changing political landscape and the endeavours of Green MEPs to preserve current legislation that protects people and the environment If a week in politics is a long time, the last year seems like a lifetime.
Following the vote to leave the EU by a small majority on 23 June 2016, much attention has been given to the lack of input afforded to MPs by the UK government in Brexit strategy and negotiations so far.
It has almost been forgotten that MEPs like myself still have a job to do.
As an MEP, I will have a greater say on the Brexit negotiations than my UK MP colleagues in the House of Commons.
Where the EU has embraced a transparent approach, seeking consensus across political divides, Theresa May has insisted on an opaque and authoritarian approach, marginalising our elected representatives.
And how we need strong, progressive Green voices now in a vastly changed European and UK political landscape.
The collapse of the EU has failed to materialise; Eurozone growth is at a six-year high.
Meanwhile, the British people roundly rejected Theresa May’s demands for a mandate to deliver the Conservatives’ vision of an extreme Brexit.
As a member of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee and the European Chair of the Climate Parliament, I am doing all I can to resist any attempts to scrap essential EU regulations on everything from air pollution to energy efficiency, from renewable energy targets to recycling targets.
My approach to Brexit is guided by a series of ‘Green Guarantees’ on: Safeguarding environmental laws protecting the UK’s air and water, our animals and wildlife; Upholding the rights of EU nationals living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU; Ensuring young people’s right to travel, study and work across Europe; and Protecting the UK from toxic trade deals that hand power to multinational corporations or threaten the National Health Service.
MEPs Throw Out Tory Attempt To Prevent EU Ban On Bee Killing Pesticides
Evidence But there is an increasing amount of scientific evidence that shows neonicotinoids cause significant damage to bees.
Despite this, the National Farmers Union has argued that they need to use pesticides so they can produce plentiful – affordable – food.
Speaking about research regarding pestcides and bees, The NFU’s Bee Health Specialist, Dr Chris Hartfield, has said: “This study is another interesting piece to an unsolved puzzle about how neonicotinoid seed treatments affect bees. “It does not show that neonicotinoids are causing widespread declines in pollinator populations and it certainly does not show that neonicotinoid use has caused any extinction of bees in England.
This attitude has been criticised.
Nick Mole, of the Pesticide Action Network UK, said: “How much more proof, more evidence, does the NFU need?
Legislation A 2013 partial ban on three neonicotinoids is expected to be extend this to all crops later this year by the European Commission.
Girling’s attempt to block this ban was unpopular – just eight MEPs voted in favour, with seven abstentions, and 43 voting against her proposal.
However, 43 MEPs voted against Ms Girling’s attempt to block the full ban, with just eight in favour and seven abstentions. “There is mounting scientific evidence supporting the European Commission’s proposal to extend the ban to more crops, and this should now be backed by national governments.’
MEPs throw out Tory bid to prevent a full EU ban on bee-killing pesticides
Source: The Independent View The decline in populations of buff-tailed bumblebees, which commonly feed on oilseed rape, was three times
Tory attempt to prevent complete EU ban on bee-killing pesticides thrown out by MEPs
Tory attempt to prevent complete EU ban on bee-killing pesticides thrown out by MEPs.
An attempt by a Conservative politician to prevent a full ban on pesticides blamed for harming bees has been thrown out by MEPs.
One major 18-year study, published in the prestigious journal Nature, concluded use of the chemicals was associated with “large-scale population extinctions” of wild bees in areas where it was used.
However the National Farmers Union has argued the pesticides, or similar “plant protection products”, are required to produce “wholesome, affordable food”.
A partial ban on three neonicotinoids has been in place across the EU since 2013 and the European Commission is expected to extend this to all crops later this year.
The news was welcomed by environmentalists.
Sandra Bell, a nature campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: “We’re delighted MEPs are backing our bees and have overwhelmingly rejected this attempt to oppose a complete ban on bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticides.
“There is mounting scientific evidence supporting the European Commission’s proposal to extend the ban to more crops, and this should now be backed by national governments.” There are concerns that the UK will ditch legislation designed to protect wildlife after Brexit, despite pledges to the contrary by the Conservatives.
Matt Shardlow, chief executive of insect charity Buglife, accused the Government of failing to live up to its own rhetoric.
“We hope Michael Gove will listen to the experts and provide reassurance that in the UK and the EU action will be taken to ensure that the huge pollinator declines caused by pesticides never happen again.” In a statement, Ms Girling said the European Commission’s proposal was “disproportionate”.
Will the EU ban glyphosate and bee-killing pesticides?
Source: Alliance for Natural Health International On 24 March, a group of 30 MEPs led by Philippe Lamberts, co-president of
