European Report February 2007
TRADE IN ‘BLOOD’ DIAMONDS MUST BE HALTED
In the February session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg I intend to raise the issue of ‘blood’ diamonds with the European Commission. For the whole of 2007 the
European Commission has taken over the Presidency of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which is an initiative that is attempting to eliminate ‘blood’ diamonds from the diamond trade -
much of which takes place in Europe. A report from Amnesty International has shown that the illicit sale of so-called conflict, or war diamonds – hence ‘blood’ diamonds – have funded devastating
conflicts in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone. During the 1990s these wars claimed the lives of 3.7 million people. Although the Kimberley Process has tried to
combat the presence of conflict diamonds in the diamond trade the problem has not gone away. The United Nations recently reported that $23 million in ‘blood’ diamonds from the Ivory Coast are
smuggled over the border into Ghana and Mali, making their way into the international diamond markets. I believe that public support generated by the film Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo de
Caprio, plus political pressure from the European Parliament should be used to encourage the European Commission to take a hard line in tightening up the whole Kimberley Process and cut the
arteries that supply this trade.
ANIMAL TRANSPORT RULES TIGHTENED
New laws that came into operation at the beginning of the year have lessened the stress suffered by animals transported across Europe. Lorries for transporting cattle for a
duration of eight hours or more must be licensed to ensure they are equipped with drinking systems and temperature monitors. New lorries must also have satellite navigation, to make sure it is
easier to check compliance with travel and rest times. Lorries must also be licensed and drivers have to have a certificate of competence to prove that they have been trained to care for the
animals. However more still needs to be done in terms of the transport of calves from the UK for veal production. Live transport of calves from the UK to Europe resumed in May last year, after a
10-year ban imposed because of the UK outbreak of BSE, or mad cow disease. According to the animal welfare group Compassion in World farming (CIWF) between May and October of last year 44,000
animals had been transported to continental Europe. Some are taken to distant destinations – such as southern Italy – on journeys lasting up to 60 hours.
AID FOR TRADE REPORT WELCOMED IN COMMITTEE
My draft report on the European Union's Aid for Trade will be debated in February in the European Parliament's International Trade Committee and voted on by that Committee
in March. The EU recognises the need for Aid for Trade, and in October the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) of the EU, reaffirmed the commitment from the European Commission
and Member States to each deliver €1 billion annually in Aid for Trade by 2010. The timing of my report is all important as it provides a platform from which to scrutinise the delivery of these
commitments, and seeks to influence the delivery of the European Commission's Aid for Trade Strategy which is due to be released in spring of this year.
LABOUR UNITED IN CONCERN OVER LIB DEM KASHMIR REPORT
My Labour colleagues, including Richard Howitt and Glyn Ford MEP, and myself have put forward numerous amendments to the controversial Lib Dem report on the prospects for
the peace process in Kashmir. The aim of these amendments is to remove the bias, inaccuracy and distortion in this Lib Dem report, which has taken the side of India in the territorial dispute over
the Kashmir region. I believe that the report must be non political and have as its objective the welfare of the Kashmiri people. It needs to provide ideas and real solutions for making the peace
process work in the Kashmir region. The original report, drafted by Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, is causing deep offence to the Kashmiri people, the very people that it is meant to be
helping. The peace process in Kashmir has seen real progress including the new bus service, which crosses the Line of Control. These efforts to renew dialogue between the two sides must be
encouraged. The amendments put forward by myself and my colleagues will help to further the peace process in the Kashmir region.
PUSH TO END THE BARBARIC PRACTICE OF BULL FIGHTING
I will be supporting a Written Declaration calling upon the European Commission to take steps towards a total ban on bull fighting in the
European Union. Given our success on previous animal welfare issues (including my own Written Declaration on the banning of farms producing bear bile) I hope that we can take action to stop this
unnecessary cruelty. It is unacceptable that over 40,000 bulls a year die in the name of so-called entertainment. The old argument that bullfighting is part of our common European heritage is not
workable in the 21st century and I hope that this Written Declaration succeeds in gathering the signatures of over half the MEPs so the European Commission are forced into making firm proposals on
what legislative steps they will take to end this archaic and brutal blood sport. There are also economic arguments against bullfighting. At present, European farm subsidies are finding their way
into the pockets of farmers rearing bulls for ritual slaughter in the bullring.
‘DECENT WORK’ REMAINS A PRIORITY
Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson announced that the EU is to attach decent work provisions to Bi-Lateral trade deals currently being negotiated with East-Asian countries.
This is to be welcomed, but it is vital that the EU implements the decent work provisions that already exist in the EU’s trade agreements. To this end I highlighted (in a letter to the Financial
Times) the Commission’s failure to act on the superficial implementation of ILO provisions in El Salvador.
SAME OLD TORIES ON EUROPE
David Cameron has shown his true colours on Europe once again. He wants to demonstrate his true Thatcherite credentials by promising that, if the Tories ever win a general
election in the UK under his leadership, they will withdraw from the European Social Chapter. The immediate effect of such a move would be the removal of some of the most progressive legislation in
the European Union. To take just three examples, there would be no more guarantee of holidays, there would be the end of legal protection for part-time workers and the ending of the rights of women
to extended maternity leave. Of course, as is becoming increasingly the case with Cameron on Europe, it took UKIP to point out to him that Britain cannot ‘opt-out’ of the Social Chapter because it
is now part of the Treaty of Amsterdam and fully enshrined in EU law. To renege on the European Social Chapter the Tories would have to leave the EU altogether – but maybe that’s what they have in
mind anyway.
JUNE VISIT TO EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN BRUSSELS
The Labour Movement for Europe in Scotland (LMES) has secured sponsorship through my office for an educational visit to the European Parliament in Brussels. The group will
leave Scotland for Brussels on Tuesday 5th June and return from Brussels on Saturday 9th June. The group will visit the new Parliament building in Brussels during a working session and be briefed
by myself and colleagues from the Socialist Group. This is an excellent opportunity to see how the European Parliament works and learn more about European politics. The cost per person is £225.
This includes meals in 4* Hotel and super-fast ferry crossing from Rosyth to Zebrugge, transport by executive coach and insurance. For further information and application form contact John Rowan,
Treasurer LMES, on 0131 553 3779 or email john.rowan@euromove.org.uk
DAVID MARTIN MEP, P O Box 27030, EDINBURGH EH10 7YP, Tel 0131 654 1606, david@martinmep.com
