CAP Reform, Lorry Drivers and Hedge Funds - Parliament Roundup
Strasbourg -- 17-20 May, 2010
Euro Parliament votes through Conservative CAP simplification proposals
Timothy hailed Conservative proposals to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy which were voted through in the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week.
On Tuesday a report by Conservative colleague Richard Ashworth MEP outlined the underlying principles of reform that the parliament will be pushing for in the run up to the next round of CAP reform in 2012. The principle themes are a simpler, fairer and more transparent policy. Mr Ashworth wants the policy to be driven by positive outcomes at farm level, rather than the results of burdensome regulation and bureaucracy.
In particular, the report highlights four ways with which to ease the burden on the farming industry, namely: ensuring that the requirements made of the industry are proportionate to risk; harmonising inspection standards and cutting out duplication of inspection procedures; giving greater scope to self-certification in the industry and ensuring that any penalties imposed are commensurate to the scale of the infringement.
Speaking after the vote in Strasbourg, Timothy said:
"Today we've seen the first step toward a CAP that can meet the challenges of the present as well as those of the future. I'd like to congratulate Richard (Ashworth MEP) on his hard work to achieve this tremendous result for farming.
"Food security, market volatility and climate change are among the problems the CAP is facing and fundamental reform must be matched with a change in the way we apply the CAP in the future."
We must support Europe's airlines
Timothy, a former European Parliament Conservative Transport spokesman, urged member states to pledge financial support to European airlines in the wake of the volcanic ash cloud. He called the disruption to the airline industry 'catastrophic'.
Reiterating what he has said in earlier interviews on regional and national news programmes he said:
"The losses for the aviation industry as a result of the volcanic ash cloud are truly staggering, and come off the back of Sars, the financial crisis and the heightened security situation. The disruption has been catastrophic for businesses and passengers. More than 100,000 flights have been cancelled; around 12 million passengers have not able to travel as planned; goods and cargo have been delayed or not transported at all; businesses, large and small, have been affected and airports have suffered massive financial losses too."
"The European Commission has said it will respond decisively following the compulsory grounding of the European air transport sector. It has recognised the need not only to consider financial compensation but also the necessity to speed up the implementation of SESAR (Single European Sky) measures. I welcome these measures."
The EU should not set fines or determine prosecutions for lorry drivers
This week, the European Conservatives and Reformists group voted against a call from the European Parliament for the EU to harmonise penalties for lorry drivers who break rules on working time, rest periods and statutory working conditions.
ECR lead member on the report Philip Bradbourn MEP argued that setting fines and penalties should remain a matter for national governments. Timothy agreed, saying:
"It may be true that fines vary from country to country but national governments should determine the level at which a fine will act as a deterrent.
"Road fines may seem relatively innocuous; however the EU should not venture any further towards deciding the penalties that our judicial system should enforce. The parliament is sending out a worrying statement of intent."
Protectionist proposals for hedge funds directive
Also this week, an alliance of the Communist, Green, Socialist and EPP groups in the parliament supported amendments to create a heavily protectionist Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) directive. It means the much-publicised directive will make it extremely difficult for EU investors to invest in non-EU funds.
Timothy is concerned about this and the possible retaliatory measures by the US, which has discussed banning US investment in new green technologies in the EU. The text adopted by MEPs would reduce the value of workers' pensions funds and make it almost impossible to invest in development-oriented funds in poorer countries.
Speaking in Strasbourg, Timothy said:
"There is still a good deal of opposition to these proposals and I would urge the Council not to adopt this too hastily, but to take time to work on a more measured approach. A knee-jerk reaction is not what we need at this stage."
"As a Member of European Parliament's Delegation to the USA, I'm concerned about how the Americans will react if and when these measures are adopted. A protectionist attitude has implications at a wider level."
"I am sure we could improve the registration and transparency of hedge funds while avoiding the Fortress Europe approach of the Communists, Greens, Socialists and EPP alliance."
