Newsletter from Fiona Hall MEP
Hello and welcome to my July e-newsletter, which gives you a round up of all my latest news from the North East of England and the European Parliament.
I am always uploading more news and interest stories onto my website. Take a look at http://www.fionahall.org.uk
I am also always interested in how you think I might make my web pages or newsletters better. Please contact me on fiona@fionahallmep.co.uk
Best wishes,
Fiona
Round up of Fiona's latest news
The North East must build on its improving recycling record
This month Fiona voted in the European Parliament for an increase in rubbish recycling to ensure that, by 2020, 50% of household waste and 70% of industrial and commercial waste will be recycled.
This will help the North East build on its impressive recycling record which from 2002-2006 saw the greatest improvement of any region in the country in the percentage of household waste recycled, from 7 up to 21%.
Fiona is also very happy with the decision to penalise Member States that fail to introduce the necessary measures. Governments could face multi-million pound fines.
"The fact that the percentage of household waste being recycled in the North East has trebled from 7-21% in four years, just goes to show that more people in the region want to recycle. As recycling goes from strength to strength, I hope this will mean a greatly reduced need for landfill in the future" Fiona said.
Re-use your plastic bags says Fiona
Fiona is a member of The Durham Bag Reduction Partnership which aims to encourage shoppers to carry more durable bags when they shop - or at the very least re-use plastic bags.
Fiona was therefore delighted to observe Durham retailers signing the 'Durham Agreement', on Friday 27th June. Under this agreement, the town's retailers will keep single use plastic bags "under the counter" and only give them out on request. Waitrose, the Co-op and Vision Express are amongst the Durham stores which are now signed up.
Fiona said: "I recently backed EU legislation to encourage more nationwide recycling in the UK. This will set limits on how much waste can be disposed of in landfill sites - where many plastic bags end up - and will hopefully encourage more people to recycle their household waste.
"However, we won't achieve these targets unless more cities take a lead from Durham and limit the use of plastic bags. I hope the 'Durham Agreement' is a great success in persuading people to enter into a more long term relationship with their shopping bags."
All aboard the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne railway line!
On 7th June, Fiona joined representatives of the South East Northumberland Rail User Group, politicians, and members of the local community for a special trip on the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne railway, which local residents want re-opened.
Fiona has also written to Rail Minister Tom Harris MP arguing that a useable line could open up investment in the region as well as helping the UK hit its carbon emission targets. The Minister has since visited the line to see for himself.
"Currently Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth and Newcastle are only joined together by road. I am convinced that the re-opening of the train line could not only bring great economic benefits to the area, but would go towards meeting the UK government's commitment to reducing greenhouse gases" Fiona said.
Fiona calls for child alert system
Fiona is calling for the introduction of a European - wide child alert system for missing children. She has signed a European Parliament Written Declaration which calls on Member States to establish a missing child alert system that would be similar to the 'Amber Alert' program in place in America.
Fiona said: "The success rate of 'Amber Alert' in America proves that an alert system works. That is why it is so important to support this declaration.
"The challenge for Europe is to make sure Member States work together, particularly to prevent children from being transported across country borders and disappearing without trace. The speed of response is therefore critical, as the likelihood that a child will be returned safely lessens as time goes on. A well co-ordinated approach is needed so that a positive response mechanism like the American one can be replicated across Europe."
For a Bull fighting free Europe
Fiona signed a life-size replica of a bull in order to support a Europe-wide campaign which hopes to end bull fighting in France, Spain and Portugal.
The 'Bull Fighting Free Europe' campaign argues that bull fighting has become increasingly unpopular in the EU due to the cruel nature of the sport which saw an estimated 250,000 bulls killed in 2006 worldwide.
Fiona said: "Bull fighting is cruel, and the bulls involved suffer a very painful death.
"Across Europe, increasing numbers of people take the view that the cultural tradition of bullfighting weighs less in the balance than the wellbeing of both the humans and the animals involved. Bullfighting is an outdated practice which should now be banned."
We must help the world's poorest out of poverty
As a member of the Development Committee in the European Parliament, Fiona immediately took the decision to sign a petition asking the EU to honour the UN's Millennium Development Goals signed in 2000.
Fiona has been alarmed by the news that aid from the world's richest countries has fallen in the past two years, with the UK now lagging far behind Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. She hopes that the petition will put pressure on Member States not to fall behind on their commitments.
"The UK government needs to redefine where it stands on this issue. Aid from the UK seems to be falling, which contradicts the UK's pledge to the Millennium Development Goals. The Liberal Democrats have always been committed to reaching the 0.7% goal as a matter of political priority, with a faster timetable than the other main parties. If other European countries can deliver so should we.
"The countries of Europe must keep their promise and honour the commitments they made in 2000.
MEPS call for an end to contaminated water in Europe Thirty-three pollutants likely to be found in rivers, lakes and coastal waters must be reduced or phased out completely depending on the level of risk involved, MEPs have said.
The step has been taken to help ensure the survival of natural ecosystems, reduce the risk of harm to humans, help the environment by reducing pollution levels. It finalises the EU Water Framework Directive first proposed in 2000.
Fiona, who voted in favour of new water quality regulations, said:
"Water quality legislation has been very much needed to standardise practice throughout the EU. Heavy metals in water are a hidden health hazard. Whether at home or on holiday elsewhere in Europe, no-one should be put at risk from contact with contaminated water."
Fiona answers calls of support from local businesses Fiona responded to a call from the North East branch of the Federation of Small Businesses by backing a European written declaration which requests the implementation of proper support for small and medium enterprises within the Small Business Act.
The written declaration asks that in future policy makers 'think small first'
by drafting business measures and legislation from the starting point of smaller enterprises and Fiona believes this declaration would help encourage, develop and support local North East businesses.
"Small and innovative businesses are doing well in the North East. They have support from regional development agencies and are really allowed to develop their own identity. More defined legislation however would make sure that their contribution to the region's economy, development, innovation and social cohesion be protected.
"I have signed this written declaration to make sure that small and medium businesses can continue to do grow."
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