Conservative MEPs are taking steps to re-open the debate on restrictive new EU rules covering the sale of e-cigarettes.

Julie Girling and Vicky Ford have written to EU Research, Science and Innovation Commissioner Carlos Moedas asking him to examine the latest evidence on the health effects of vaping and whether it can help long term smokers give up traditional cigarettes.

Last month Public Health England published a review which concluded that e-cigarettes are 95 per cent less harmful than tobacco and the MEPs hope that if Mr Moedas makes a similar finding, the European Commission will look again at the controversial Tobacco Products Directive.

Conservative Environment Co-ordinator Mrs Girling (South West and Gibraltar) said: “There is great concern that the new regulations will dissuade smokers from switching to e-cigarettes.

“There was little scientific input when this part of the directive was drawn up and further evidence has subsequently highlighted the potential public health benefits of e-cigarettes. We believe it is time some facts were introduced into this debate and hope Mr Moedas will agree to our request.

“This is a great opportunity to use the expertise of the Scientific Advice Mechanism. This is a highly qualified and highly respected group of eminent scientists from across Europe which was put in place largely thanks to Conservative MEP pressure.”

Article 20 of the Directive, which is currently being implemented by Member States, will force e-cigarette manufacturers to either classify their products as cigarettes and face tight rules on advertising, or as medicinal products and sell them only in pharmacies. It also restricts the amount of nicotine cartridges can contain and introduces burdensome new manufacturing standards.

A legal challenge to the Directive by UK manufacturer Totally Wicked was rejected by the European Court of Justice earlier this month.

Conservative Internal Market spokesman Mrs Ford (Eastern England) said: “The EU restrictions on electronic cigarettes were swept into the new tobacco laws without the chance to take into account expert evidence. Conservative MEPs did not endorse this approach.

“We all received thousands of emails and letters from users who argue that the products have enabled them to give up traditional smoking. The EU commissioner has now appointed a group of scientific experts and it would be useful to hear their advice on whether the restrictions are appropriate.”

ENDS

Today’s announcement of talks to update and extend the EU’s trade deal with Mexico has been welcomed by Conservative MEPs.

The current deal came into effect in 2001 and since then digital commerce and the service sector have both grown in importance.

Conservative International Trade spokesman Emma McClarkin hopes small and medium sized companies (SMEs) in particular will benefit from the renegotiation.

She said: “Updating our trade agreement with Mexico is a key aspect of the EUs development of it’s relationship with North America. As we near completion of a deal with Canada, while continuing to push hard on TTIP, Mexico must also be updated to reflect what we are doing with these other partners.

“The Commission must be as ambitious as it has been with it’s recent negotiations to ensure that businesses of all sizes feel the benefit from this venture. We have willing partners in Mexico, for whom the EU is it’s second largest export market, and as such we should aim high, looking to address issues other than just tariffs that hold up trade, particularly for SMEs.

“At the same time, the EU has developed strong sustainable development chapters linked to trade and so widening and deepening this agreement to include these aspects will benefit people on both sides of the Atlantic in many ways.”

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo Villareal, announced the launch of negotiations to update the EU/Mexico trade and investment partnership in Brussels this afternoon.
ENDS
Contact Robert Taylor
Head of Media, Conservative MEPs
robert.taylor@europarl.europa.eu
Mobile +32 498 984 760

The CEJA Presidium 2016 tackled pressing issues such as potential immediate measures to address the serious market crises the EU agricultural sector is currently enduring. CEJA President Alan Jagoe called for specific measures to address the oversupply of milk on the market at a European Parliament public hearing on the subject just hours after the end of internal CEJA discussions. Fifty leading young farmer delegates from across Europe also debated the British referendum on the EU and its potential effects on European agriculture during a dinner debate on Tuesday evening alongside MEPs Julie Girling and Anthea McIntyre.

Young farmers are particularly vulnerable to the current agricultural market crisis considering that many of them having recently made substantial on-farm investments with little financial backing, and CEJA members therefore believe it is crucial that support measures are activated now in order to ensure the future of the sector. With that in mind, CEJA is calling for the implementation of Article 222 immediately, financed by new EU money which does not come from current CAP funds or the crisis reserve, accompanied by cooperation between all economic actors in the dairy supply chain in order to implement this measure on a fair, EU-wide basis. As CEJA President Alan Jagoe stated at the public hearing on the dairy crisis in the European Parliament on Wednesday evening, it is already too late for some, but if action is not taken now, then it will be too late for many more young farmers, and with it, the future of the EU dairy sector.

Considering the current uncertainty European farmers find themselves in, the subject of the 23 June referendum on potential British exit from the Union and its possible effects on the EU agricultural sector was debated over the Presidium dinner in an event entitled: “To Brexit or To Bremain: What does the future hold for EU agriculture?”. The debate saw two British MEPs, Ms Girling and Ms McIntyre, outline their reasons for wanting the UK to stay in the EU, in particular for the sake of the livelihoods of the British farmers they represent, while two British CEJA delegates explained how and why they will be voting in a month’s time. However, young farmers from across the rest of the EU were just as engaged in the debate, expressing their wish to see the UK remain part of the Union for the sake of farmers across Europe. The strong feeling was that the UK should remain for its own economic wellbeing and that of the member states the UK relies on for trade. There were some dissenting voices and a healthy challenge to accepted principles but on balance the remain argument prevailed”.

The CEJA Presidium 2016 took place on 24 and 25 May where young farmer representatives also discussed their ideal definitions of both ‘Active Farmer’ and ‘Young Farmer’, in a bid to inform a future CEJA position on the CAP post-2020. As process dictates, the CEJA Presidency and secretariat also presented the annual CEJA budget and activities to its delegates.

ENDS

For further information:
Jessica Fitch, Tel: +3222304210 / +32495316244
E-mail: pressofficer@ceja.eu
www.ceja.eu

Question for written answer E-002011/2016 to the Commission
Rule 130
Julie Girling (ECR)
Subject: Disadvantages for airline customers
Considering the Commission’s commitment to high levels of consumer rights and the principle of non-discrimination, how does it respond to the following?
1. Is the Commission aware that tall airline passengers now have to pay a premium for seats with extra legroom which they need for a safe and comfortable journey?
2. Previously airline passengers who required extra legroom only had to request it, whereas this must now be purchased and is not always available for those who require it. Does the Commission recognise this as discriminatory?
3. What action does the Commission intend to take regarding this matter?

EN
E-002011/2016
Answer given by Ms Bulc
on behalf of the Commission

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-009701/2015 .

I believe there would be huge problems created in the Britain itself and across Europe if the UK voted to leave the EU

But those real difficulties could be most acutely felt in Gibraltar. That is why I am fervently supporting David Cameron’s campaign for the UK and Gibraltar to remain in the EU.

We have already seen too often how Gibraltar can suffer when Spanish governments start sabre-rattling ‎to distract attention from domestic difficulties. How much worse could that become if Madrid felt the UK and Gibraltar had isolated and excluded themselves from the European club and its rules-based system.

Only last month, a cross-party committee of British MEPs issued a warning that Gibraltar would be cut off and undermined by Spain if Britain left the EU.

That report from the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee should be a wake-up call to anyone who thinks quitting the EU will be consequence free.

In fact leaving would not only diminish the UK’s own prospects and standing, but also harm our friends in so many ways that people do not automatically consider.

The committee heard evidence from Gibraltar’s Government that the peninsula’s shipping trade, online gaming industry and finance sector could all be damaged by Brexit.

And it said Spain would take advantage of any renegotiation in order to further undermine, isolate and exclude Gibraltar from the European mainstream.

A “Leave” vote would lead to “tremendous uncertainty”, it said. After all, it found, Spain’s tactic of causing border delays was only moderated by EU rules over free movement of people.

The report concluded: “No doubt, without those EU rules, the border could become a wall and the general position would be intolerable.”

I say there can be no doubt that Spain would see Brexit as an invitation to pile on the agony for Gibraltar.

If Britain were to leave I understand that the Gibraltar first minister wants to explore whether there is any way it could negotiate its own arrangement with the EU. Whether that would be possible – and what kind of relationship could be negotiated if the UK had left – I simply do not know.

But I certainly think it is sensible for the Gibraltar Government to consider its options. I would be interested to hear any suggestions there may be regarding the future for Gibraltar should Britain vote to leave – but I sincerely hope it never comes to that.

It always seems strange to me that many politicians who would vocally proclaim themselves to be friends of Gibraltar are also enthusiastic proponents of Brexit. For me the two positions are contradictory when Gibraltar’s best interests are so clearly linked to Eu membership.

Rest assured that I am working as hard as possible to ensure that Gibraltar does not find itself such an invidious position.

These are grave concerns. I will do all I can to stick up for my electorate – in England and in Gibraltar – but the surest way of doing right by them is to keep Britain inside a reformed EU.

The European Commission this week published a raft of proposals covering online sales and Internet audio visual services.

Conservatives welcomed the drive to make the digital single market fit for purpose but expressed concern about planned legislation which would prevent online retailers denying consumers in one country access to a site in another.

Internal Market spokesman Vicky Ford said: “In the traditional world we don’t demand that retailers offer the same product at the same price in every market, so why should we try to do so online? Despite what the Commission is saying, many retailers are concerned this could be the consequence of the proposal.

“We must not put an unnecessary handbrake on the digital economy. We have to ensure any international legislation underpins, not undermines, it.”

Consumer Protection spokesman Dan Dalton feared the measure would reduce consumer choice by discouraging retailers from operating online.

“The Commission misunderstands the nature of the online market,” he said. “Under the proposals, if a shop sold goods online it would have to work out whether it complied with consumer laws from all other 27 member states for very little benefit. Small businesses in particular simply would not be able to do that.”

The Commission’s package calls for more action to protect children from pornographic and violent content online. It also proposes that video on demand services such as Netflix and Amazon should be forced to carry at least 20 per cent of European content and significantly extends the scope of current legislation.

Conservative Culture spokesman Andrew Lewer MEP said: “”We already have EU legislation underpinning a single market in broadcasting. At its heart is the country of origin principle, which ensures broadcasters based in the EU only having to play by one set of rules and makes things clear and simple for business. Thus, the Commission proposal to retain this, and to make the online environment safer for children, is welcome.

“However, extending the scope of the regulation to video sharing platforms and home videos could have unintended consequences. And imposing outdated quotas on the amount of European content is simply an example of Commission cultural imperialism.”

Farmers and consumers would benefit from a proposal, backed by Conservative MEPs, for country of origin labelling to be extended to some dairy and meat products.

The move is intended to rebuild trust following recent food scandals, enable shoppers to make informed choices when buying food and assist local producers.

The European Parliament today supported a resolution calling upon the European Commission to bring forward plans for information on where raw materials are sourced to be compulsory on milk and lightly processed dairy and meat products such as cheese, cream, bacon and sausages.

Conservative Environment co-ordinator Julie Girling MEP said: “There is a growing desire amongst people to know more about the food they buy and it is right that compulsory country of origin labelling be introduced where it can be done so without placing disproportionate burdens on manufacturers.

“This scheme would make it easier for British farmers to promote their high quality produce, while a harmonised EU-wide approach provides more certainty for consumers as some current voluntary labelling schemes can be misleading.”

Agriculture spokesman Richard Ashworth said there was a demand from both consumers and producers for more information on packaging.

“There is a practical and cost element to be considered, which is why we want this measure limited to lightly processed dairy and meat products, but the benefits would outweigh any limited extra costs that might be incurred.”
ENDS
Contact Robert Taylor
Head of Media, Conservative MEPs
robert.taylor@europarl.europa.eu

Julie Girling MEP has praised a report by a committee of MPs warning that Gibraltar would be cut off and undermined by Spain if Britain leaves the EU.

The Conservative MEP for the South West and Gibraltar said the report from the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee was: “A wake-up call to anyone who thinks quitting the EU will be consequence free.
“In fact leaving will diminish our prospects and standing, and harm our friends in so many ways that people do not automatically consider.”

The committee heard evidence from Gibraltar’s Government that the peninsula’s shipping trade, online gaming industry and finance sector could all be damaged by Brexit.

And Spain would take advantage of any renegotiation in order to further undermine, isolate and exclude Gibraltar from the European mainstream.

Brexit would lead to “tremendous uncertainty” because Spain’s tactic of causing border delays was only moderated by EU rules over free movement of people.

It said: “No doubt, without those EU rules, the border could become a wall and the general position would be intolerable.”
Mrs Girling said:”There can be on doubt that Spain would see Brexit as an invitation to pile on the agony for Gibraltar.
“These are grave concerns. I will do all I can to stick up for my electorate – but the surest way of doing right by them is to keep Britain inside a reformed EU.”

end
Express report: http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/665033/EU-Referendum-2016-What-Brexit-Mean-for-Gibraltar-Rock-British-Territory-Spain

A Conservative MEP’s drive to protect gardens, farmland and the UK countryside from deadly plant diseases took a big step forward today.

Anthea McIntyre has negotiated a wide-ranging package of measures to tackle plant pests by stopping them entering the country. Approval by the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee today means the McIntyre report will now go to the full parliament for final approval with a recommendation to adopt it as EU law.

The report on Plant Health was originally proposed by the EU Commission and, as lead MEP on the legislation, Miss McIntyre has been responsible for steering it through the parliament.

In key negotiations with the EU Council and Commission officials ahead of the committee vote, Miss McIntyre strove to balance steps to counter diseases such as Ash dieback with a regulatory regime that would not needlessly shackle growers or the horticulture trade.

Once it becomes law, the package will set out new basic standards to ensure EU countries work together to address plant pests and diseases. These include mandatory surveillance for high risk pests and better use of the plant passport system.

Miss McIntyre, MEP for the West Midlands and herself a small-scale grower, said: “As an example of how serious this issue is, Xylella fastidiosa is just one of the nasty bacterium that causes a range of diseases destroying trees and shrubs. There are many others that will wreak havoc with our plant life and plant products if we let them.

“The UK already has robust controls in place but approaches vary widely from country to country. As a continent we are only as strong as the weakest link.

“Plants pests and diseases do not respect borders and we need to protect our biodiversity by laying down basic procedures for all 28 Members States to adopt. At the same time we must be careful not to stifle trade in plants and plant products by introducing unnecessary layers of bureaucracy.

“This law will strike the right balance, protecting trade while allowing us to respond to threats in a co-ordinated way across the EU.”

ENDS

Note to editors

The report’s proposals include:

* Compulsory general surveillance by Member States for plant pests and diseases. Surveillance is currently only required when emergency control measures are in place.

* Mandatory surveillance for specified priority pests. The UK Government is likely to press for UK potato pests to be included on the list.

* Harmonisation of the plan passport system. Passports will not be required for plants sold to non-professional users, such as gardeners, unless the transaction takes place over the internet.

* The introduction of preliminary assessments for plants imported from outside the EU which are likely to pose a risk. If this test suggests an unacceptable pest or disease risk, the product would be provisionally banned from the EU pending a full risk assessment.

* Powers enabling the Commission to quickly impose a temporary ban or restrict the movement of plants or products found to pose previously undetected risks.