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Parliamentary Highlights This is for people who want more information on actual reports/legislation going through the Parliament. Summary of Strasbourg Session (7 - 10 March 2005) Main Events of the Week: Mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy Timothy Kirkhope, Leader of the Delegation, said: "Conservatives want to see a stronger commitment by national governments to real and enduring economic reform in the EU. This means greater labour market flexibility, more competitive taxation policies and reduced barriers to employment growth, particularly the excessive regulation that pervades many European economies. "Of course, the US continues to out-perform Europe and the competitive challenges from Asia, particularly China and India, are increasing with no apparent urgent response from national capitals in the EU. The Council Presidency must not be distracted by calls for the preservation of the completely outdated "European Social Model". It is precisely because so many governments have failed to grasp the nettle on reform that the Lisbon process has sadly, to date, failed in key areas. "Competitive taxation policies, flexible labour markets, less red tape and a determination to tip the balance firmly in favour of the wealth creators offers the only way out of Europe's relative economic decline. Those things are anathema to Socialists, but vital for all of us. We voted against a number of amendments in the resolution that would have undermined the market and enterprise driven policies that we believe a revised Lisbon agenda should champion." Market in sugar Conservatives MEPs supported the resolution on the common organisations of the markets in sugar. The UK has some of the most efficient sugar producers in the EU and must be fairly treated by reform. It is necessary to change the sugar market in order to bring it in line with the CAP reform that requires European farmers to be competitive and efficient, while maintaining sustainable and environmentally- friendly farming practices. In order to establish competitive sugar production in the EU we must now support the cross border quota transfers that allow the more efficient areas of the EU to continue to produce sugar. It is also necessary to abandon the practice of 'dumping' sugar on to third world markets and phase out subsidies on exported sugar. The principle of reform must be to open up world trade and enable the most competitive areas in the EU to prosper. We must also be aware that a full liberalisation of the sugar market would have an adverse affect not only on the UK sugar industry but also on that of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and developing countries. Natura 2000 Caroline Jackson, Environment Spokesman in the European Parliament, said: "Conservatives have supported this report but with one important proviso. Nothing in any of our votes should be taken to mean that we support an increase in the overall EU budget. We do support the creation of a budget entry sufficient to support LIFE funding for nature protection and biodiversity which we do not feel will be adequately protected or financed under the Commission's present plans. It is vital that, now we have created the Natura 2000 network, we are prepared to find the money to continue to finance it where necessary." Working Time Directive The report by Alejandro Cercas on the Working Time Directive was published this week and Philip Bushill-Matthews, Employment and Social Affairs Spokesman in the European Parliament, said: "This issue will be debated in the Employment & Social Affairs Committee on the 15th March and I will be pressing the case for the retention of the opt-out throughout the coming week and beyond. It is likely that a majority within the Parliament will support a phase-out of the opt-out over five to ten years. This position is supported by British Labour MEPs who are on the record during a previous vote as wanting to end the opt-out 'as soon as possible'. This is in direct contradiction to their own Government's stated position. "At this time when all attention is focussed on the mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy and Commission President Mr Barroso is committed to more dynamic, competitive and market-driven growth in the EU, it would be madness for Labour MEPs and others to vote to scrap what is an excellent arrangement for the UK." Votes this week Seppδnen - Conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks 2nd reading approved - Conservatives in favour De Rossa - Social security schemes 2nd reading approved - Conservatives voted in favour of rejecting the common position Schmitt - Community air traffic controller licence Adopted - Conservatives in favour Lipietz - EIB Activity Report 2003 Adopted - Conservatives in favour Figueiredo - Social situation in the EU Rejected - Conservatives against Bowis - Work of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in 2004 Adopted - Conservatives in favour Sαnchez Presedo - Scheme of generalised tariff preferences Adopted - Conservatives in favour Dombrovskis - 2006 budget guidelines - other sections Adopted - Conservatives in favour Wieland - Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions Adopted - Conservatives in favour Resolution - Mid-term review of the Lisbon Strategy Adopted - Conservatives in favour Jensen - Parliament's estimates for an amending budget (2005) Adopted - Conservatives in favour Garriga Polledo - Draft amending budget No.1/2005 Adopted - Conservatives in favour Aubert - Organic food and farming Adopted - Conservatives in favour Resolution - 4th World Conference on Women Adopted - Conservatives abstained Resolution - Planned egg cell trade Adopted - Conservatives had a free vote Resolution - Nuclear arms in North Korea and Iran Adopted - Conservatives abstained Resolution - Situation in the Lebanon Adopted - Conservatives in favour Locatelli - Guidelines for future EU policy to support research Adopted - Conservatives in favour Auken - Financing Natura 2000 Adopted - Conservatives in favour Resolution - Market in sugar Adopted - Conservatives in favour Rule 115 - Resolution - Belarus Adopted - Conservatives in favour Rule 115 - Resolution - Cambodia Adopted - Conservatives in favour Rule 115 - Resolution - Saudi Arabia Adopted - Conservatives in favour Party Watch - where different from Conservatives
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