January news letter from Bill Newton Dunn MEP

2.40.00pm GMT Fri 13th Feb 2009

----- Original Message -----

From: NEWTON DUNN Bill

Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 12:34 PM

Subject: News from the European Parliament

First 2009 report from the European Parliament.

Both the parliament, and the Commission are at a difficult moment. The parliament must finish all its work by the first week in May, before MEPs scatter to all corners of the EU to seek voters in the European elections. (Voting is on 4th and 7th June). And all 27 Commissioners finish their five-year terms of office in the early autumn, when they either stand down or, if renominated by a national government, must first be grilled and hopefully voted into office by the new MEPs. So, this is a period of finishing a lot of different pieces of work, before time runs out. Tensions and rivalries are higher than normal.

This week there were major debates on three matters -

a new EU law to limit the numbers of Pesticides

British and Irish farmers lobbied vociferously against proposals from part of the parliament, saying that, in our damp climate, fewer pesticides would mean a fall in UK food production and consequently more imports of food. MEPs from elsewhere were concerned that some pesticides may be causing the worldwide disappearance of honeybees, or may cause cancers so therefore they said it was best to be over-cautious. To my mind, there was too little science and no impact assessment made in advance by the Commission, and too much hurry to get it onto the statute-books before the elections.

a new law to creating a single EU market for Defence equipment

Defence procurement is still essentially a national competence, and there is too much duplication and high-cost short-run production in each member state. A new EU law seeks to create a genuine single market for defence and security equipment and services. The challenge has been to put in place a legal framework which will invigorate intra-Community trade in this field and which the Member States can apply without risking their national security interests.

the terrible situation in Gaza

MEPs are divided on the question. One thing was agreed - that Bush, during his presidency, did nothing to try to solve the Middle East problem except to invade Iraq.

There was a big debate yesterday and a resolution was passed unanimously. You can read the summary of the debate at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/030-46100-012-01-03-903-20090113IPR46099-12-01-2009-2009-true/default_en.htm

In the unanimous resolution, MEPs call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire which should include the halt to rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel and the end of Israel's t military action in Gaza. A negotiated truce that should be guaranteed by a mechanism which could include the dispatching of a multinational presence. The Israeli authorities are asked to allow the international press into the Gaza strip and to guarantee that there is continuous and sufficient flow of the aid through humanitarian corridors. The House requested Israel to allow unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance and aid to the Gaza Strip and to guarantee continuous and sufficient flow of the aid through humanitarian corridors. MEPs agreed on the necessity of urgently providing the re-opening of the crossing points, the lifting of the blockade and the prevention of smuggling of illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition.

MEPs express their shock at the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza and deplore that civilian and UN targets have been hit during the attacks. They also express their sympathy for the civilian population affected by the violence in Gaza and in Southern Israel.

We called on Hamas to end rocket attacks and to assume its own responsibilities by committing itself to a political process aimed at restoring inter-Palestinian dialogue and contributing to the ongoing process of negotiation.

Finally, a true Kilroy story

One of the Labour MEPs told me that he was in a parliament lift earlier this week with Kilroy. Kilroy asked him if he was Bill Newton Dunn. The Labour MEP replied that he was not. Afterwards the Labour man told me the story and said he was amazed that Kilroy could represent the same region with me for four and a half years yet not recognise me.

All the best for 2009 !

Bill ND