If you are a constituent of South West England or Gibraltar and want to contact Julie, please email julie.girling@europarl.europa.eu
The South West is a hugely diverse and vibrant region which I have had the honour to represent since my election as your MEP in 2009. Since then I have fought on behalf of constituents across the South West on issues as wide ranging as problems with the European Arrest Warrant in Devizes to obtaining European funding for community groups in Exeter.
Working for Business
I have listened to businesses and hosted conferences throughout the Region to promote growth for micro-business and SMEs whilst highlighting the importance of utilising EU funding. So far these have taken place in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset with more planned for Somerset, Cornwall and Devon.
To further support our local businesses and communities I led cross party delegations of local councillors to London to meet with key ministers this will ensure there is no gap in funding when the current EU and Government funding scheme expires. To boost our larger industry I have, as part of the ASEAN delegation, taken the message of South West businesses, including Bristol based Airbus who I met with on several occasions, to South East Asia and promoted their message – they recently won a $24 billion contract from Indonesia. I will continue to support South West Business in Europe and beyond.
Leading reform in the Agriculture and Fisheries sectors
I have listened to our fishing industry and the demands of the general public and played my part in ending the practice of cutting off shark fins at sea and discarding the bodies. I have met with campaigners, including Hugh Fearnley-Whitingstall, and many Non-Governmental Organisations to seek an end to the disgraceful practice of discarding fish at sea and have been instrumental in bringing an end to fish discards.
On a recent visit to Newlyn, I met with some of the Region’s biggest employers in the fisheries sector – vital to our local economy. I will continue to fight for the future of our seas. I have listened to the needs of our farmers and the agricultural sector, critical to the South West economy, regularly meeting with farmers and farming representatives such as the NFU. On 26th April 2013 I hosted the first South West Agricultural Conference providing an opportunity to discuss and engage with the nitty gritty of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP negotiations are on-going and I will continue to fight against any proposals which put our farmers at a disadvantage.
Supporting Constituents
I have campaigned tirelessly on behalf of constituents across the Region taking their voices to Brussels and Strasbourg, questioning the Commission on many issues constituents have raised with me from herbal medicines to the recent horsemeat scandal. I organised a number of visits to the European Parliament to enable constituents from across the Region to have the opportunity to see the Parliament first-hand.
OCCUPATION AND SUMMARY CAREER DETAILS:
2009–Present: Elected Conservative MEP representing South West England and Gibraltar
Currently, Julie is;
- Member of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee
- Rapporteur on Air Quality
- Member of the Agriculture Committee
- Member of the FEMM Committee
- Member of the ASEAN Delegation for relations with South East Asia
Previous Positions held:
- Chief Whip of the Conservatives in the European Parliament
- Member of the Agriculture Committee
- UK Spokesman for Agriculture
- Member of the Fisheries Committee
- Member of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee
- Member of the ASEAN Delegation for relations with South East Asia
2006 – 2009: Lead Cabinet Member for the Environment – Gloucestershire County Council
2003 – 2006: Member, South West Regional Assembly
2003 – 2006: Leader, Cotswold District Council
2000 – 2009: Elected Member Gloucestershire County Council
1999 – 2009: Elected Member Cotswold District Council
1995 – 2009: Freelance trainer.
1991 – 1993: Marketing and Buying Manager, Boots/Halfords
1988 – 1990: Marketing Manager, Dixon’s Stores Group
1982 – 1988: Buyer and Merchandise Controller, Argos Catalogue Group
1979 – 1982: BA (Hons.) Graduate trainee, Ford Motor Company
VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY WORK:
Fundraising for the Poppy Appeal – High street collections around the region.
Supporting Rotary International – Attending events and meetings throughout the year.
Fundraising for Breast Cancer Care – 5K Run in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Supporting Macmillan Cancer Care and Support – Won the charity bake off in Parliament.
Supported World Horse Welfare Charity for a number of years.
I have been a Governor of two local schools.
OTHER INTERESTS:
I enjoy riding my horses, gardening and walking my dogs. I regularly cycle and enjoy yoga.
It is important that all constituents know that I am working hard for them and, they have a right to know about what my expenses are. If you wish to see what my expenses are and also the expenses of all of the other Conservative MEP’s to provide comparison, please CLICK HERE to view my expenses/lobbying information.
