Julie Girling MEP has backed plans to encourage the sustainable production of palm oil to tackle deforestation and climate change passed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Palm oil is a widely used agricultural commodity which can be found in everyday food items such as peanut butter and chocolate, in addition to its industrial and biofuel uses. The expansion of palm oil production has been widely criticised for its role in deforestation and destroying of peat habitat in some producing countries.

Mrs Girling, MEP for the South West and Gibraltar and Conservative environment spokesman, said: “This report takes an important step forward by focusing on how we can move towards 100 per cent sustainable palm oil. That will allow growers to earn an income while minimising the impact of production on our environment and the habitats of critically endangered species.

“I am delighted that this report calls for a single certification scheme at the EU level which consumers and businesses can easily recognise. This was a personal priority of mine, and I believe such a scheme will allow consumers to be confident that a product is made with sustainable palm oil.”

The report lays down criteria which could serve as the basis for such a robust certification scheme at EU level, and calls for this to be supplemented by voluntary partnership agreements with producing countries and awareness-raising campaigns to make sure consumers are fully informed before purchasing items.

Mrs Girling added: “Rather than continuing to demonise palm oil, I believe this report strikes the right balance by focusing on the positive contribution of certification schemes, and how these might be improved.”

Today the European Parliament voted on two key files for air quality – on the new Type Approval rules for motor vehicles and on the recommendations from the Special Committee of Enquiry into the emissions scandal.

In the aftermath of the dieselgate revelations, the European Commission made new legislative proposals to ensure car manufacturers comply with all EU safety, environmental and production requirements.

This major overhaul of the so-called “EU type approval framework” updates rules that are more than a decade old, which should address the shortcomings in the current legislation and ensure better enforcement across the single market.

Speaking from Strasbourg today, Julie Girling MEP said, “Today’s vote is a step in the right direction. Manufacturers and regulators knew for some time before the VW story broke about some of the discrepancies between approval and testing.

“Compliance and enforcement are key to the good functioning of the single market. Working together with colleagues from across the European Parliament, I supported calls for better EU oversight via an EU agency on market surveillance and I am disappointed that this didn’t get the required support.

“With the UK vote to leave the EU it is imperative that we have a forum within which the UK has a voice and can contribute to a strong single market. Poor air quality costs the UK economy billions per year.

“Good environmental standards and a strong economy are not mutually exclusive and we must continue to work together with our European neighbours to tackle this key issue.”

Julie Girling MEP has responded to a clause in the EU 27’s draft negotiating position on Brexit which suggests Spain will have a veto on future trade deals involving Gibraltar.

The Conservative MEP for the South West and Gibraltar said: “Nobody should be surprised that the EU is talking tough on Gibraltar. I’ve been warning that this would be the case right the way through the Brexit debate.

“We are seeing the EU working in the interests of its members…and Spain now trumps the UK. We will not defeat this threat simply by sabre rattling. Negotiation is diplomacy…and we must recognise that reality.

“Spain will be hoping that we are prepared to make a deal with them over access to fishing grounds. We should start telling them how tough we will be in this area if they try to be tough over Gibraltar.

“The sovereignty of Gibraltar is not open to negotiation”

A South West MEP has warned there would be no ‘plain sailing’ towards a UK exit from the EU, as Prime Minister Theresa May formally triggers Article 50.

Conservative Julie Girling said many challenges lay ahead, adding it would be ‘business as usual’ for MEPs as Brexit negotiations get underway.

“This is what we have been building up to since June 23 and I think for both sides it will probably be a relief once the face to face talks start,” said Mrs Girling.

“At last the phoney war is over. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and start negotiating and MEPS have an important role to play. We have detailed knowledge of Brussels’ inner-workings and have personal relationships with key people.”

She urged: “We must focus our energy where it will get the best results – but the negotiations will be both protracted and intricate.”

She said she was disappointed that Westminster had not asserted its right to have a final vote after the negotiation before the deal was put before the European Parliament.

“This makes it critical that MEPs are involved and are part of getting the right deal in the first place.”

Mrs Girling said while negotiations were ongoing it would remain ‘business as usual’ for MEPs: “We still need to do our jobs, and do them properly. It is upon us to try and maximise potentially helpful legislation and minimise any damaging legislation that might harm us in the mean time.”

She added: “As negotiations get underway, I am going to do all I can to provide a bridge between our Government and key figures in Brussels and the European Parliament in particular.

“There are so many unknowns, and we must not underestimate the difficulties and challenges that lie ahead. I don’t believe in misleading people into thinking that this is going to be plain sailing.”

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Julie Girling MEP has won a top award, voted on by her peers, for her work on countryside issues.

At an event in Brussels last night she was named MEP of the Year in Agriculture and Rural-Development issues in the annual awards organised by Parliament magazine.

The whole European Parliament was invited to vote to decide which MEP had made the greatest impact on key aspects including animal health and welfare, product quality and food security.

Mrs Girling, Conservative MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, was praised for her longstanding support for the promotion of better animal welfare and for her successful management the Parliament’s position on National Emissions Ceilings, helping to deliver tough new targets aimed at reducing air pollution and cutting premature deaths from poor air quality.

She was also recognised for her recent report on guidelines to improve the welfare of the EU’s seven million horses and donkeys.

After receiving her award Mrs Girling said: “I am truly honoured. When the recognition comes from your fellow MEPs it really means something.

“I have always tried to do my best for the countryside, for animal welfare, for farming and for the environment, which can be a difficult balancing act – so it is nice to receive a little pat on the back.”

Leaving the EU will present huge challenges as well opportunities for the businesses and organisations that manage Britain’s countryside, a high-level conference heard today.

Current European regulation and funding affected farming and the environment on a multitude of fronts – and detailed consideration would have to be given to what would stand in their place after Brexit, the audience heard.

The conference, titled What Next for the Countryside Post Brexit?, was organised by Julie Girling MEP, Conservative MEP for the South West and Gibraltar.

More than 100 delegates gathered at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester to hear presentations from representatives of the Cotswold Conservation Board, the Country Landowners and Business Association (CLA), the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the National Farmers Union, as well as rural strategist Richard Wakeford.

Mrs Girling, outlining the scope of the conference, said the Common Agricultural Policy was expensive, unwieldy, unfair and ineffective in terms environmental protection…but it did put £3.5 billion into the UK Treasury and something would have to replace it.

She outlined the current impact of the EU on our countryside and landscapes, including environmental legislation, pesticides, food safety and chemicals reguations, labelling, animal welfare, research, climate change and biodiversity.

Delegates heard a formidable list of key issues which must be addressed post Brexit including jurisdiction for enforcement, budgets for enforcement and grants, international competitiveness, trading relationships, the trans-boundary nature of policy and Government commitment to the environment.

Martin Lane, Director of the Cotswold Conservation Board, said the EU had benefited the UK environment and recalled that before 1973 Britain was labelled the “Dirty Man of Europe” because of its pollution levels. But he hoped that helpful regulation, funding and systems of administration could be replaced by something simpler, more flexible, but equally effective.

John Mortimer, South West Director of the CLA, warned: “The success of Brexit will depend on the success of the rural economy.”

Nick Bruce-White, South West Regional Director of the RSPB, said one of the biggest benefits of Brexit which had already been seen was a coming together of environmental organisations to form the Greener UK coalition to co-operate over future policy.

Mrs Girling, a member of both the European Parliament’s Environment Committee and its Agriculture Committee concluded: “We had an outstanding level of expertise and experience in our speaking panels.

“I am passionate about the environment and the countryside and as we move into negotiations on Brexit I wanted to bring together key players to discuss how we can get the best possible for both once we leave.

“How can we protect our countryside, enable famers to farm profitably and sustainably, maintain animal welfare and ensure continued quality of our air and water?

“It is not going to be easy – the EU will not make our exit straightforward, and we will have to negotiate long and hard to get the deal we need. But I am determined that our environment and agriculture industries will not suffer because we are leaving.”

Key elements from the conference presentations will be drawn into a report which Mrs Girling will present to Ministers to help inform Brexit negotiations and planning.

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Campaigning MEP Julie Girling today welcomed a landmark scientific decision that the widely-used herbicide glyphosate should NOT be classified as a carcinogen.

She spoke out after the European Chemicals Agency’s Risk Assessment Committee published its conclusions following a comprehensive review of the weed-killing agent’s safety.

The opinion follows over a year of debate over glyphosate’s future in the EU, with many environmental groups calling for it to be banned due to its alleged carcinogenic properties.

After granting only a limited extension last year to glyphosate’s license for use, the EU Commission sought greater scientific clarity by asking the agency to draw up a definitive classification for glyphosate.

Mrs Girling, Conservative Spokesman on the Environment and Public Health, and also a member of the Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, hailed the opinion as “A means to end once and for all the hysteria and start working on the basis of robust scientific evidence”.

She said” “This decision confirms what the EU and other scientific bodies have been saying since this debate began in 2015. It represents the first step in restoring certainty for farmers, so that they can continue responsibly using this important substance to provide us with safe and nutritious food.”

“I hope that, with positive opinions from the agency and also the European Food Safety Authority, a full renewal of glyphosate’s authorisation is only a matter of time.”

The Commission must now take into account the newly agreed classification when next deciding on the renewal of the approval of glyphosate.

Background

Glyphosate, originally marketed under the trade name “Roundup”, now accounts for around 25% of the global herbicide market. In the EU, glyphosate-based herbicides are used for weed control for a wide range of crops including cereals, oilseed rape, maize, beans and sugar beet. Several European countries, including Germany, use glyphosate herbicides on almost half of their total crop area.

Glyphosate products are also widely used by gardeners and for weed control in forestry and aquatic environments. More than 300 glyphosate herbicides from more than 40 different companies are currently registered for sale in Europe, many of which are available in gardening and hardware stores.
A report last year by ADAS, the UK’s largest agricultural consultancy, estimated a total ban on glyphosate would reduce UK production of winter wheat and winter barley by 12 per cent and oilseed rape by 10 per cent, costing the industry €633 million a year.

The RSPB cites glyphosate as key to controlling bracken and rushes, while the chemical is widely used to control weeds on airport runways and railway lines.

Contact for media outlets:
John Furbisher
john@furbisher.media
07801 195800

Measures to improve the welfare of millions of horses and donkeys across the EU have been approved today by the European Parliament.

The proposals from Julie Girling, Conservative MEP for the South West and Gibraltar, were passed by a large majority and cover animals used in a broad range of activities, from farming to tourism. They include:
* A shorter maximum journey time for all movements of horses for slaughter;
* A commitment by Member States to inspect slaughterhouses licenced to handle horses;
* The launch of a pilot project under which funding would be targeted at farms committed to good welfare practices.
* The dissemination of information to tourists to help them decide whether to use services involving working horses and donkeys;
* New guidance on donkey and horse milk farming and increased inspections of farms.
* Production and circulation by the European Commission of information on how to care for horses and donkeys, including responsible breeding and end of life care.
* Review of the impact of VAT on equestrian enterprises.
The report will now be passed to the European Commission with a recommendation for action.

Mrs Girling said: “Horses and donkeys have come to possess vast economic potential. Today the equine sector adds over €100 billion to the EU’s economy each year and is a leading rural employer in many Member States.

“However, in too many cases these animals are faced with severe welfare concerns including neglect, overwork and inappropriate living conditions.

“Europe’s citizens want to see more action on animal welfare and, with this report, I believe we have a golden opportunity to not only substantially improve the lives of 7 million horses and donkeys but, by better caring for these animals, we also have a chance to unlock the full economic potential of the sector and boost the rural economy.

“It is a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

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Note for Editors

Background on the Proposal can be found here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&reference=A8-2017-0014&language=EN

The European Commission has sent a final warning to five EU countries, including the UK, regarding persistent breaches of nitrogen dioxide in 16 air quality zones.

Conservative MEP Julie Girling steered legislation through the European Parliament last November that revises the national ceilings for overall emissions of five key pollutants.

Responding to the news, Mrs Girling said:

“The fact that five major European Member States have been taken to task shows that this is not only a challenge for British central and local government. Air pollution is a problem that we face across the Western World, and its consequences for public health and for NHS budgets are significant.

“It is right that we continue to set ambitious targets for reducing air pollution and that the European Commission is concerned about implementation of existing legislation. We need to ensure that local authorities take action quickly to tackle poor air quality, which is a blight on local communities. This could include discussions around for example urban planning and traffic access.

“Reducing air pollution is not a simple task but it is one we should redouble our efforts to address with urgency at international, national and – perhaps most importantly – at local level.

“We’ve heard a lot, quite rightly, in the last few weeks about inadequate local authority funding resulting in a crisis in social care. I am very concerned that local authorities, who generally want to increase their efforts to ensure clean air, will not be able to meet their obligations. The Government needs to ensure that adequate funding is in place to tackle this health crisis – invest now in clean air and save money for the NHS in later years.”

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Two influential Conservative MEPs have today criticised calls from the European Parliament to improve growers’ access to low-risk pesticides – because the proposals do not go far enough.

Julie Girling and Anthea McIntyre said the proposals put forward by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee represented a wasted opportunity.

Mrs Girling, MEP for the West of England and Gibraltar is lead negotiator on the proposals for the European Conservatives and Reformists grouping in the Parliament. Miss McIntyre, MEP for the West Midlands, is a member of the Agriculture Committee and Conservative employment spokesman.

They spoke out as a majority of MEPs sitting in Strasbourg approved a resolution stressing the need to increase the availability of biological low-risk pesticides. It calls on the EU Commission and the Member States to prioritise such plant protection products, and for a revision of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 to permit their fast-track evaluation, authorisation and registration.

Mrs Girling and Miss McIntyre withheld their support for the measures because they focused entirely on low-risk biological plant-protection products and ignored the potential of non-biological equivalents.

In a joint statement they said: “Sadly this resolution is a product of tunnel vision. It looks only at biological pesticides – when we need to be looking at the possibilities from the whole range of low-risk products, including synthetic and chemical ones.

“We are all for giving farmers and growers the best plant-protection toolbox possible, once all due consideration has been paid to questions of efficacy, as well as the risk to human health and the environment.

“In the wake of the moratorium on neonicotinoids – and its devastating consequences for oilseed rape production in the EU – that is more important than ever.

“That means we need to overcome this apparent fetish over biological products. Instead we must have a regime which assesses all potential products – regardless of origin or method of production – on an equal basis with a consistent and realistic measurement of potential risk.”
Currently, only one of the seven low-risk pesticides approved by the EU and available to farmers is non-biological.

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