Question for written answer E-002030/2016

to the Commission

Rule 130

Julie Girling (ECR)

Subject:       Animal experiments

On how many occasions have Members States invoked the safeguard clause in Article 55 of Directive 2010/63/EU?

What was the decision of the Commission in each case?

EN

E-002030/2016

Answer given by Mr Vella

on behalf of the Commission

To date, the safeguard clause contained in Article 55 of Directive 2010/63/EU[1] has never been invoked by any Member State.

[1]     OJ L 276, 20.10.2010, p. 33–79

South West MEP Julie Girling today welcomed a trade-press report that leaving the EU would not automatically make life better for British fishermen and seafood companies.

She spoke out after the industry publication Undercurrent reported that “Brexit” would not necessarily free up UK fishing quotas or mean autonomy for the British fleet, according to the Marine Conservation Society.

Instead quotas would still need to be negotiated between the UK, the EU and any other member state involved, including Norway or Iceland, the MSC said.

Mrs Girling, Conservative MEP for the South West and Gibraltar and a member of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee, said: “I know that many blame the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy for all the industry’s ills and historically they may have a point.

“But the CFP has been comprehensively reformed in recent years. While still not perfect, it is considerably better than it was.

“And people in the industry might well consider it far better than the uncertainty, antagonism and wasted energy that would be involved in renegotiating from scratch our place in the fishing seascape.

“This report explodes the myth that leaving the EU would somehow solve all fishing’s problems at a stroke and give the industry overnight autonomy.”

end

Conservative Agriculture spokesman Richard Ashworth MEP today called upon the European Commission to help create a more competitive and resilient agricultural industry to address the crisis affecting farmers across Europe.

Problems facing the sector have been deeper and longer lasting than expected following the downturn in global commodity prices. Efforts by Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan to help alleviate the sharp falls in farm incomes have been welcomed but these alone will not maintain farmers’ economic viability.

Conservative MEPs have championed simplification and greater market-orientation of the Common Agricultural Policy to this end.

The UK has world-leading, innovative farmers and our food producers bring some 16,000 new products a year to the market, more than France and Germany combined. It is vital that such innovation is supported in the face of new competitors and increased price volatility.

Mr Ashworth told the European Parliament today: “What the Commission can, and must, do is find ways to help the industry become more productive, more competitive and more sustainable. Agriculture needs research and development investment, innovation and simplification. Above all, agriculture needs regulation based on common sense and proven science, not on emotion.

“The Commissioner and farmers understand this well. It is unfortunate that too many members of this house do not.”

ENDS

MEPs have backed measures increasing the role of national parliaments in EU law making.

The European Parliament today approved a report by Conservative Legal Affairs spokesman Sajjad Karim MEP which also advocates introducing extra checks to ensure the EU only legislates on issues not best left to Member States.

“I am delighted that MEPs from across Europe have supported my report,” said Mr Karim, MEP for North West England.

“Conservative MEPs are leading the way in reforming the EU and reducing the democratic deficit. My report supports this reform agenda by promoting a greater respect for national parliaments.”

Mr Karim proposes that additional tests are applied to all EU legislation. Currently a so-called subsidiarity and proportionality check takes place when legislation begins its passage through Parliament. However, Mr Karim wants a mid-term evaluation introduced and a further assessment undertaken prior to adoption of the final text, which may have been substantially changed.

He said: “Subsidiarity and proportionality are fundamental guiding principles of the EU. It is vital that there is a thorough assessment of whether action at EU level is more appropriate than national or regional initiatives.

“The EU should not be afraid of subsidiarity. It increases dialogue with national parliaments and ultimately makes for better, more responsive legislation.”

His other proposals include:

* A greater involvement of national parliaments in the preparation of EU legislation;

* More time for Member States to comment on EU legislative proposals;

* An annual debate between the European Commission and each national parliament.

* A revision of the Commission’s guidelines to better assess subsidiarity.

The European Parliament voted 400 to 257 in favour of adopting Mr Karim’s report.

Question for written answer E-015742/2015 to the Commission

Rule 130

Julie Girling (ECR)

Subject:       Gibraltar border crossing

I have been contacted by constituents in Gibraltar who have raised concerns about the adequacy of the border-crossing facilities for the elderly, the disabled and people with non-machine readable passports. There is also frustration owing to the fact that the passport machines are often faulty or inadequate.

Does the Commission plan to conduct any unannounced checks on the border? There is concern that previous checks, when notification was given in advance, resulted in an improved border process on the day in question which did not reflect the usual day-to-day situation.

EN

E-015742/2015

Answer given by Mr Avramopoulos on behalf of the Commission

The Spanish authorities have recently installed Automatic Border Control (ABC) gates on entry and exit at the border between Spain and Gibraltar. Only holders of EU passports and Spanish e-ID cards are eligible for using these gates. For other pedestrians, a manual checking booth is available. According to the figures provided by the Spanish authorities, approximately 20% of the persons eligible for using the ABC gates fail to see their documents authenticated: this failure is principally due to a damaged electronic chip. This figure will go down progressively when the damaged e-documents are renewed and a habit of using the gates is installed.

In October 2015, the Commission carried out a third on-spot visit to the border crossing point of La Linea de la Concepcion. The Commission is regularly informed about the situation at the Spanish-Gibraltar border, including on delays upon entry or exit from Spain. It is committed to continue monitoring this matter and further contribute to improving the situation of the many citizens crossing this border daily. By definition the Commission cannot communicate on possible new, unannounced visits at the border crossing point.

New measures to secure a greater role for the UK and national parliaments in EU law making are being proposed by a Conservative MEP.

In his annual report to the European Parliament on subsidiarity – the process by which decisions are taken at the most appropriate level, whether European, national or local – Conservative Legal Affairs spokesman Sajjad Karim suggests an extra test be applied to all EU legislation.

Currently a subisidiarity and proportionality check takes place when legislation begins its passage through Parliament. However, Mr Karim wants a mid-term evaluation to take place and a further assessment introduced prior to adoption of the final text, which may have been substantially changed.

He said: “Subsidiarity and proportionality are fundamental guiding principles of the EU. It is vital that there is a thorough assessment of whether action at EU level is more appropriate than national or regional initiatives.

“The EU should not be afraid of subisidiarity. It increases dialogue with national parliaments and ultimately makes for better, more responsive legislation.”

His other proposals, which have already been backed by the Legal Affairs Committee and will be voted on by the European Parliament in Strasbourg next week, include:

* A greater involvement of national parliaments in the preparation of EU legislation;

* More time for Member States to comment on EU legislative proposals;

* An annual debate between the European Commission and each national parliament.

* A revision of the Commission’s guidelines to better assess subsidiarity.

Mr Karim, MEP for North West England, added: “Conservative MEPs are leading the way in reforming the EU and reducing the democratic deficit. My report supports this reform agenda by promoting a greater respect for national parliaments and subsidiarity in the legislative process.”

The agreement to remove sanitary towels and tampons from VAT has been greeted by South West MEP Julie Girling as a victory for common sense and the power of negotiation.
Mrs Girling, Conservative spokesman on equality and women’s rights in the European Parliament, said: “This tax should never have been imposed, but the fact that it is being lifted shows once again that when Britain brings a strong case to the table in Europe our voice is heard.”
The EU’s 28 national leaders, meeting in Brussels, last night agreed a statement welcoming proposals for increased flexibility for member states on VAT “which will provide the option to member states of VAT zero-rating sanitary products”.
Conservative MEPs first raised the issue of the so-called tampon tax with Commissioners a year ago, asking why such products should not be zero-rated.
Mrs Girling said: “The fact that female sanitary products were taxed as luxury goods would be amusing if it were not so crassly unfair.
“I am pleased our advice and the protests of millions of women have been heard. It shows that while there may be things wrong with the EU, it is not beyond our wit or power to change them for the better.”
ends

From Julie Girling, Conservative MEP for South West England

Dear editor,

The Prime Minister has secured a historic reform deal which now paves the way for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union as promised in the Conservative’s 2015 manifesto.

The Cameron package has put the UK in a unique place; and it is a good deal for Britain. We have full membership of and equal access to the largest and wealthiest single market in the world bigger than even the USA. We do not have to join the Euro and our taxpayers will not have to pay for Eurozone bailouts. We are not members of the Schengen zone; that means we are under no obligation to accept refugees, migrants or third country nationals unless we choose to do so. We have legal recognition that the UK is an independent sovereign country in charge of its own destiny; our parliament has a stronger role and we are not committed to ever closer union.

Far too often this debate is about emotions and not facts. The ‘out’ campaign has not offered any credible alternative, and it is not simply enough to say leave for leave’s sake.. Why step out of the world’s largest, wealthiest single market, putting industry, jobs and growth at risk for a leap into the dark?

I support the Prime Minister’s reform deal and Britain will be stronger, safer and better off remaining a member of the European Union.

Yours faithfully,
Julie Girling MEP