As the trade in sheep and calves to the continent moves to Dover after a two-year absence, there are concerns that there could be an increase in the number of animals being transported. And unlike the Port of Ramsgate, Dover has not granted permission for the RSPCA to inspect the transporters at the port.

Keith Taylor MEP said: “Our overall aim is to bring about an end to live animal exports. In the meantime, it is important that there is transparency of the trade and Dover Harbour Board allow RSPCA inspectors in the port to assist monitoring the welfare of these animals set for shipping across the channel.

“If the port is confident they are facilitating animal transporters complying with EU legislation then surely they won’t have a problem with the RSPCA keeping an eye on things.”

Animal welfare organisations, including Compassion in World Farming, continue to expose that European Union (EU) standards on animal transportation are often not being met and animals across Europe are being transported in poor conditions resulting in exhaustion, dehydration and in some cases death in transit.

The RSPCA began monitoring the live animal exports trade at the Port of Ramsgate in 2012 amid concerns that legislation was not being enforced. During a one-year period, there were 25 sailings and the RSPCA and Animal Health inspectors issued many welfare notices for breaches of animal welfare regulations.

Keith continued: “There are EU regulations in place to help protect the welfare of animals in transport, however, the last year has highlighted that these regulations are not always being fully adhered to in the UK.  It is totally unacceptable that these poor animals are being let down, even before they have left our shores. The RSPCA’s offer to help should be welcomed by any responsible body facilitating this trade, including Dover Harbour Board.”

Animals have often been transported in trucks on UK roads for hours before reaching a port. Once the animals leave the UK, the journeys for these sheep and calves could go as far as Spain or Italy.

Ends

Notes:

–        Keith Taylor MEP’s letter to Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Dover Harbour Board is available here.

–        Keith has been campaigning on the issue of long distance animal transport since becoming an MEP in 2010. The Green Party believe there should be a ban on live exports from the UK. In Europe Keith is calling for improved enforcement of current legislation and a maximum journey time of eight hours.

–        The RSPCA is urging concerned members of the public to also contact Dover Harbour Board.  There is an online action at: www.rspca.org.uk/victims

Cuadrilla, the company involved in controversial fracking operations in Lancashire, recently announced its plans to drill at the Lower Stumble site near Balcombe and has not ruled out fracking there in future. It has arranged a drop-in session today to address residents’ concerns.

Mr Taylor said: “I was appalled to learn that Cuadrilla plans to dig an exploratory well in Balcombe, and that there’s the potential for fracking to take place there, given all the risks associated with this controversial technology.

“We know that fracking poses serious environmental risks, including air and soil pollution, and threatens already overstretched water resources. It makes a mockery of the UK’s efforts to tackle climate change. And it won’t even help bring energy prices down.”

Mr Taylor, who is unable to attend the drop-in due to prior commitments, has sent a statement of support. He is helping residents to request information from the Environment Agency and EU.

He said, “Local people have concerns about whether Cuadrilla is complying with all the legal requirements including those in the EU Mining Waste Directive. I will look into this.

“The Greens are completely against any shale gas exploitation. We need to heed the warnings and follow the examples of several other European countries, such as France, who have banned fracking completely. Next week I am travelling to Poland to hear about the experiences of campaigners opposing fracking in their communities. We should learn from other countries’ experiences, not blindly rush to make the same mistakes.”

The campaign against fracking in Balcombe can be found here: http://gasdrillinginbalcombe.wordpress.com/

Mr Taylor’s intervention comes as UEFA holds its annual congress in London. Protesters are expected to gather outside the meeting demanding that the championships aren’t played in Israel.

Mr Taylor, who is on the European Parliament’s delegation to Palestine, said:

“Out of solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, and in light of Israel’s continued flouting of international law, I call on UEFA to reconsider the location of these championships.”

UK Government Support UEFA’s Decision

Mr Taylor, who has visited Palestine as part of his work in the European Parliament, rounded on the UK government for supporting the championships:

“The Israeli government does not deserve the prestige of hosting these championships while they continue to subjugate Palestinians, through their use of administrative detention and their aggressive settlement policy.”

“It is shameful that the British government support UEFA’s decision to give these championships to Israel. If the UK is to be seen as serious when we talk of protecting human rights then we should retract our support immediately.”

Mr Taylor has joined a host of high profile footballers in calling into question UEFA’s decision to give the competition to Israel. The players, including ex-Spurs striker Freddie Kanoute, wrote an open letter expressing concern with the Championships being held in Israel.

Notes:

1)     Details of protest outside UEFA congress: http://redcardapartheid.weebly.com/1/post/2013/03/kick-israeli-racism-out-of-european-football.html

2)     Hansard record of UK support for Israel hosting championship: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-04-17b.152039.h

3)     Letter from footballers on Israel: http://www.kanoute.com/EUROPEAN-FOOTBALLERS-DECLARE-SUPPORT-FOR-PALESTINE_ad-id!35-l!en.ks

Photo credit: katatonia82 / Shutterstock.com

The legislation, which has been framed as a response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, has been criticized by Greens in the European Parliament.

Keith Taylor, the Green Party MEP for the South East, said:

“The Deepwater Horizon spill showed us the potentially catastrophic environmental and social consequences of failing to regulate the offshore drilling industry properly.

It is, therefore, very worrying that these new rules fall short of providing adequate regulation of the risky business of offshore drilling.

It’s also deeply disappointing that the new legislation fails to call for a moratorium in drilling in the Arctic and other sensitive or extreme environments where the consequences of the spill would be devastating.”

The legislation will also fail to ensure that offshore operators are fully liable and financially responsible for any damages resulting from accidents. Crucially, there are no provisions for a financial security mechanism, to which operators would be required to contribute, and which would be used to cover damages in the case of an accident.

Mr Taylor said:

““Clearly these rules don’t go far enough. We need a regulatory framework that protects our oceans and the safety of oil workers but this legislation doesn’t do the job”

Green energy spokesperson Michèle Rivasi stated:

“The legislation adopted today will fail to provide for robust regulation of offshore drilling in the EU. The new rules fall far short of providing an adequate regulatory framework to reflect the significant, cross-border risks of offshore exploration. The legislation was framed as the EU’s response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster but the outcome rubber-stamped today is clearly a massively missed opportunity.”

“The legislation fails to address the current gaps in EU rules on offshore exploration, notably as regards liability for accidents and independent safety assessments of installations.

The European Maritime Safety Agency will be given no oversight competence and its role will be primarily limited to post-accident situations.”

Ends

1)    The Greens/EFA press release on the new rules is here: http://www.greens-efa.eu/offshore-oil-and-gas-drilling-9855.html

2)    The European Parliament (non political) press release is here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20130520IPR08605/html/Offshore-oil-and-gas-operators-should-prove-their-ability-to-cover-damages

Hundred of birds were washed up along the South Coast of England in April covered in a sticky substance now identified as PIB.

The chemical is used in engines, especially in shipping, as an additive in lubricating oils and fuels, both as a thickening agent and as a raw material that is further reacted to create other performance additives. It is currently legal to discharge PIB in small quantities, based on certain conditions as set out by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. Although not directly toxic to seabirds, PIB becomes sticky when it comes into contact with seawater, coating the plumage of seabirds, restricting their movements and preventing them from feeding.

Mr Taylor, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism committee, said:

“Despite the fact that it is legal to discharge small amounts of this chemical, it is obviously extremely harmful and it is important that we act to ensure the tragic deaths of wildlife and destruction of the Southern coastline does not happen again as a result of PIB.

Multinational companies should not be able to get away with destroying local coastlines and endangering local wildlife. For the sake of these birds action must be taken now.”

The UK Chamber of Shipping has also joined the call, stating that an urgent review is needed to see how best to prevent a recurrence of the recent deaths and injury to wildlife.

A spokesperson for the RSPB said:

“The risk of PIB is seriously underestimated. We are urging the government to call on the IMO to urgently review [its] hazard classification and implement regulations and a systematic monitoring programme that prevent any further tragic and wholly avoidable incidents like the one just witnessed.”

Ends

1) Keith Taylor is the rapporteur (draftsperson) for the European Parliament file on the European Maritime Safety Agency Budget. (Regulation on multiannual funding for the action of the European Maritime Safety Agency in the field of response to pollution caused by ships and to marine pollution caused by oil and gas installations).

2) News story on 4000 birds being killed: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22505544

3) RSPB briefing on PIB: http://portlandbirdobs.org.uk/pdf_PIB%20and%20seabirds%20RSPB%20Briefing%20revised%2014%20Feb%202013.pdf

Arad has been accused by campaigners of profiting from activities in illegal Israeli sponsored settlements inside occupied Palestinian territory and being complicit in the highly unequal distribution of water within the area (2). Southern Water provide water and sewerage services to people in the South East from Kent across to Berkshire. The company is more than halfway through its programme of installing water meters to homes across the region and hopes to 17.6 million litres of water each day.(3)

In his letter to the CEO of Southern Water Mr Taylor criticised the company for doing business with a firm who stand accused of profiting from human rights abuses. (3)

Mr Taylor, member of the European Parliament’s Delegation to Palestine, said (4):

“Certainly the nature of the allegations against Arad run counter to the corporate responsibility policy of Southern Water, and I would be interested to know to what extent this code was applied. It is apparent that Southern Water is paying lip service to the environmental aspects of its corporate responsibility policy whilst ignoring its commitment to encourage suppliers and contractors to adopt responsible business policies.

 “I find the award of contracts by Southern Water to a company that operates in and profits from illegal settlements completely unacceptable. Furthermore, as a resident of Brighton, I am personally extremely uncomfortable with the installation of a water meter produced by a company which profits from the violation of international law, through working in illegal Israeli settlements as well as developing water infrastructure where Palestinians themselves are forbidden from doing so.”

Mr Taylor’s intervention follows protests against 65 years of Israeli oppression of Palestinians. He was alerted to the Southern Water contract with Arad by campaigners at the Brighton Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Mr Taylor said:

“To improve the situation for Palestinians it is crucial that pressure is put on Israel and Israeli companies to improve their human rights record, and for this reason, I urge Southern Water to demand that Arad to cease all its activities in the illegal settlements. If this is not possible then Southern Water should terminate the contracts as soon as possible.”

Mr Taylor has requested a meeting with the CEO of Southern Water to discuss termination of its contracts with Arad.

Commenting on 65 years of Israeli occupation of Palestine Hugh Lanning, Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said:

“Many people are aware of the fact that a great injustice took place in 1948 when 750,000 Palestinians were driven from their homes. But that injustice continues until today. It is a continuing injustice that Palestinians living in exile – often in refugee camps – are continually denied their recognised right to return to areas from which they have fled or were forced to leave.

1)      Keith’s action on this issue follows campaigning from the Brighton Palestine Solidarity Campaign who wrote the Southern Water CEO earlier this year: http://www.brightonpalestinecampaign.org/bhpscs-letter-to-the-southern-water-ceo

2)       See Arad’s own website here: http://www.aradtec.com/Project.aspx?ID=1

3)      http://www.waterprojectsonline.com/case_studies/2011/Southern_Metering_2011.pdf

4)      Keith’s letter to the Southern Water CEO is here: http://www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Final-Letter-to-CEO-Copy.pdf

5)      Information on the EP delegation the Palestine: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/delegations/en/dplc/home.html

6)      http://www.palestinecampaign.org/demonstrations-against-ethnic-cleansing/

IDAHOBIT, marks 23 years since the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. LGBT rights have come a long way in the past few decades, with homosexuality legal in all European Union (EU) states.

However, there is still a long way to go as discrimination in daily life and law continues within the European Union and across the globe.

EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has today published a report detailing the results of a survey covering the EU and Croatia, with over 93,000 respondents, to discover the everyday issues affecting LGBT people. This survey, which is the most extensive of its kind to date, collected comparable data on LGBT people’s experiences of hate crime and discrimination, as well as their level of awareness about their rights.

The survey’s main findings include:

-          47%—or almost one in two LGBT persons—felt discriminated against or harassed in the last 12 months because of who they were

-          one in four (26%) respondents were attacked or threatened with violence because of who they were, including a whopping one in three (35%) victims among transgender people.

-          only one in ten (10%) respondents reported discrimination to the police, and only one in five (22%) reported violence or harassment.

Mr Taylor, who sits on the European Parliament’s LGBT rights intergroup, said;

Today is International Day Against Homophobia, and the release of the EU survey gives us a chance to review progress in tackling gender and sexual identity discrimination and recognise there is still much work to do in delivering equality.  

“We must stand in solidarity with the struggles of all LGBT people winning fights for equality across the world whilst not forgetting the continued discrimination and prejudice faced by many.

The figures show that homophobic and transphobic violence is still at shocking levels. There is no excuse for members of our communities living in fear because of their sexuality or gender orientation. Governments across the EU, including our own in Britain, must take these findings seriously and ensure that LGBT people are given the full protection of the law. 

As part of the European Parliament’s LGBT Rights Intergroup i’ll be continuing to work for a world free of homophobic prejudice. Nobody should be discriminated against because of who they fall in love with.”

Mr Taylor also called for civil partnerships to be opened up to straight couples:

“In the UK it looks like we are finally going to see legislation which will allow gay people to marry. For full equality we must also see civil partnerships opened up to straight couples.”

Sophie in ‘t Veld MEP, LGBT Intergroup President said:

“The data shows that one in four (26%) respondents were attacked or threatened with violence because of who they were, including one in three (35%) victims among transgender people. It’s high time the European Commission and Member States stop paying lip service to LGBT rights and turn words into action: they must condemn hate speech and ensure safety and respect for all EU citizens.”

Ends

For interviews/further information please contact Matthew Butcher (Media Officer for Keith Taylor MEP) on 0207 250 8418 or 07940 500633 or emailkeithpress@greenmeps.org.uk

Notes

1) The survey can be found here: http://www.lgbt-ep.eu/press-releases/eu-one-in-two-lgbt-people-discriminated-against-new-study-finds/

AWE admitted a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over a worker burning his arm and face while working at Aldermaston.

The case was heard at Reading Crown Court and, according to the BBC,  ‘[AWE] accepted a failure to recognise the risks of materials involved in manufacture of explosives and a failure to reflect that in its processes.’

Mr Taylor said:

“The safety record at Aldermaston continues to be deeply worrying.

The fact that AWE has admitted these failures reinforces what many of us have believed for a long time: the manufacture of nuclear weapons can never be entirely safe.

These latest findings add to mounting evidence of safety breaches at Aldermaston. The Nuclear Information Service has uncovered details of incidents in recent years which had the potential to breach nuclear safety. Risky procedures included leaving areas of the facility uncovered by fire alarms and discrepancies in maintenance records for key equipment. The latest findings also follow a closure of the plant earlier this year because of corrosion of its structural steelwork.

This decaying bomb factory produces weapons that the British population don’t want and experts from the military think we don’t need. At this time of financial crisis we need to scrap our nuclear weapons programmes and use the billions of pounds saved to create much needed jobs and build new schools and hospitals.”

Ends

Keith Taylor, the Green MEP for the South East of England, has criticized the European Union for propping up the bullfighting industry in Spain.

Mr Taylor’s criticisms follow the publication of a report which suggests that bullfighting would be unviable without the generous subsidies given to the industry by the European Union.

The report estimates that bullfighting receives over £100m worth of subsidies from the EU every year, predominantly through the Common Agricultural Policy.

Mr Taylor has joined other MEPs in writing to the EU’s agriculture minister calling for an end to EU subsidies for bullfighting.
Commenting on the report Mr Taylor said:

“Whilst people across Europe are wondering where they’re going to get the next meal from the EU continues to pour our money into bullfighting: this has to stop.

Bullfighting is barbaric and cruel and, without the prop of farming EU subsidies, it’s a failing business. The EU must immediately withdraw funding from bullfighting and redirect the money towards sustainable agriculture producing affordable food.”

Another member of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, Raul Romeva, said:

“It is unacceptable that EU funds continue to be used to prop up this brutal practice, which flies in the face of EU commitments on animal welfare. This report makes clear that bullfighting would not be financially viable without subsidies, with public interest and support seriously waning. Given EU funds of at least €130 million per year – and probably much more – continue to be channeled to the bullfighting industry, it is clear that this is also a question for the EU and the Commission must stop trying to duck responsibility for the issue.”

Ends

(1) The study can be accessed at the following link: http://www.greens-efa.eu/fileadmin/dam/Documents/Studies/2013-5%20Bullfighting%20subsidies%20report.pdf

(2) The letter can be accessed at the following link: http://www.greens-efa.eu/fileadmin/dam/Documents/Letters/2013-5%20Bullfighting%20letter%20to%20Ciolos.pdf

Keith Taylor said:

“Though the Prime Minister has been forced to publish this legislation because of constant agitation from his own backbenchers it is ultimately right to give the British people a say on our membership of the EU.”

“The EU isn’t perfect. All too often it serves the interests of business, rather than people and in some policy areas it holds power which should be devolved to local communities.

“But, on balance, the EU is a positive force in our lives. European legislation is vital in protecting workers’ rights, improving our environment and regulating our out of control banking sector. It brings countries together to work on the issues that cross our borders and can’t be dealt with unilaterally.”

“Recent work by Friends of the Earth shows us just how important EU legislation is in protecting our environment. It’s brought us cleaner beaches and rivers, cut levels of sulphur dioxide in the air and preserved species like otters.”

The Green Party’s policy on an EU referendum has been called the ‘Three Yeses’:

1) Yes to a referendum

2) Yes to staying in the EU.

3) Yes to radical reform of the EU.

Ends

1) Keith is publishing a series of photos on Facebook to celebrate the environmental legislation brought about by the EU. These can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/KeithTaylorMep

2) Friends of the Earth report: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/eu_referendum_environment.pdf