Anti-discrimination law for all

Labour MEPs in the European Parliament have been successful in calling on the European Commission to honour the pledge it gave in its 2008 Annual Programme and bring forward a European Directive to extend anti-discrimination legislation to cover all vulnerable groups. The European Commission have agreed to initiate comprehensive European legislation outlawing discrimination on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. There was a danger that as a result of Conservative governments and MEPs putting pressure on the European Commission, they would limit the new draft directive to cover only discrimination on the grounds of disability. While Labour MEPs support extending legislation on disability, we have consistently argued that the new directive should prohibit all forms of discrimination, including direct and indirect discrimination against all groups in all areas that fall under EU competences as well as in: education, lifelong learning, social protection and social security, housing and healthcare, images of discriminated groups in the media and advertising, telecommunications, electronic communications, transport modes and public spaces, social advantages and access to and supply of goods and services which are available to the public. You cannot build a modern and cohesive society unless you tackle discrimination.  Labour MEPs will now work closely with the European Commission and Council to ensure that the details of the new legislation provide full and equal protection for all European citizens.

‘Green week’ sees victory on binding recycling targets

It was appropriate that the June session of the Strasbourg Parliament coincided with ‘Green Week’ as Labour MEPs achieved a substantial victory in their fight for binding recycling targets.  The Parliament voted in favour of the Waste Framework Directive, which aims to cut down the volume of municipal and construction waste currently being dumped into landfill sites.  Every year, across the EU, we throw away 1000lbs of waste per person. Less than a third of this waste is recycled – for example the waste generated in the UK could fill the Albert Hall in less than two hours.  As a result of this new Directive, by 2020, 50% of household waste - such as paper, metal and glass – and 70% of construction and demolition waste will have to be recycled or re-used.  The UK is currently only recycling 31% of our municipal waste so this new EU law will mean an increase of recycling in Britain by 20%.  These new recycling targets will also contribute to our climate change objectives.  It is estimated that the waste produced by an average household represents 38.2kg of CO2 per week.  If  we can reduce or recycle this waste, significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions will be prevented - so all in all a good ‘Green Week’ in Strasbourg.

Support for Socialist proposals on Charter for Energy Consumers

With energy poverty firmly on the EU agenda the European Parliament has backed Socialist Group proposals for the introduction of a ‘European Charter on the Rights of Energy Consumers’.  The key goals of such a Charter would be: more efficient protection of vulnerable citizens; more information to energy consumers; less paper work when changing supplier and; protecting consumers from unfair selling practices.  Consumers’ entitlements under the draft Charter would include: on connection – the right to receive, against payment, regular and predictable levels of safe and secure electricity and gas services; on supply – the right to change electricity and gas supplier free of charge; on contracts – the Charter lists the minimum elements that every contract with an energy supplier must include; information – must be available on energy supply, contract conditions, tariffs, energy efficiency measures and the origin and generation methods used to produce electricity; on price – energy must be made available at reasonable and clearly comparable prices; social measures – to provide vulnerable citizens with minimum levels of energy (power, warmth and light) in order to avoid energy poverty; on dispute settlement – the right to simple and inexpensive complaint procedures in the event of disputes; and on unfair commercial practices – these are prohibited under the EU’s Unfair Commercial Directive.

Irish Government ask for more time on Lisbon Treaty

The Irish Government have asked for more time to take stock of the ‘No’ vote in the Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.  It will then be possible to assess whether a compromise can be reached.  It goes without saying that if there is no agreement then the Lisbon Treaty will not be adopted.  To threaten the Irish with being forced out of the EU, if they do not endorse the treaty, would be undemocratic.  However, it is also unrealistic and, indeed undemocratic, to expect that the views of 26 other countries who, along with the Irish, also signed the Lisbon Treaty should be completely ignored, especially since 19 countries have now ratified the treaty.  A poorly functioning EU acting according to a rulebook that was designed for an EU of 15 rather than 27 member states is not in anybody’s interests.  The nature of issues that Europe’s citizens face today has changed.  Matters such as climate change, terrorism, and food and energy security are not confined to the borders of one single state.  These are collective problems that require a collective solution.

Socialist Group MEPs want pro-development EPAs

Socialist MEPs from the Trade and International Development Committees met during the Strasbourg plenary in June to analyse the details of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) being negotiated between the EU and 35 African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.  The European Commission has taken the lead in negotiating the new trade deals with the 35 ACP countries.  These deals are due to be signed later this year.  However, it is felt that in their current form they are biased more towards commercial than development criteria.  Many non-governmental organisations (NGOs), trades unions, academics and ACP Ministers have criticised the details of the proposed Agreements.  The Socialist Group are committed to making the EPAs more pro-development and fully in line with the interests of ACP countries’ economic and development strategies.  Through close contact with the European Commission, Socialist MEPs will push for: the reopening of negotiation; the exclusion of talks on the EU’s offensive interests such as trade in services; and the full participation of ACP Parliaments in ratifying the final deals. 

Intelligent cars save lives 

The European Parliament has backed a report on ‘The First Intelligent Car’.  On average 40,000 people are killed and a further 1.7 million are severely injured on Europe’s roads every year.  The introduction of the ‘intelligent car’ could reduce this carnage.  Developing cars that are smarter, safer and greener is part of the EU’s ‘European Information Society 2100’ strategy.  This strategy will boost growth and jobs in the digital economy by using new information and communication technology (ICT) to improve the quality of life of EU citizens.  The object of the ‘intelligent car’ initiative is to harness the latest technology to make cars safer and more efficient through devices such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which is the application of a computerized system designed to help road handling and prevent skidding.  The report calls for the speedier introduction of an e-call emergency system across Europe – this would automatically alert centres across Europe to a driver’s exact location in the event of an accident.  The report also focuses on the impact of our current car use on the environment and public health.  With 12% of all emissions of CO2 coming from car usage the report shows that the use of ICT in cars could reduce fuel consumption by 3% a year, thus contributing to the reduction in global warming.

Warnings on additives in sweets and fizzy drinks

Following pressure from the Socialist Group in the European Parliament it has been agreed that sweets and drinks with bright colour additives, which can make children hyperactive, must contain warnings when sold within the EU.  Food containing azo-dye colouring must carry the following warning: “…may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”.  Having voted earlier for a complete ban of this type of additive Socialist MEPs see these warnings as just a first step.  Although a study undertaken by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) on azodyes concluded that a ban is not necessary, a British study from Southampton University showed that children who consume food containing azodyes (an additive that gives sweets and soft drinks a bright colour) could become hyperactive.  The Socialist group believe that the Commission should follow the ‘precautionary principle’ and ban this additive.