| Report Number: 3898 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
Title: SW MEP rules out quick return to large-scale Brazilian beef imports after visiting country (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: South West |
Script details: |
A South West MEP has been to Brazil to check out first-hand traceability concerns that sparked an EU ban on Brazilian beef imports last February. Neil Parish led a delegation of Euro-MPs in his role as chairman of the European Parliament Agriculture Committee. He says he was particularly concerned by the “arrogance” of some of the Brazilian politicians he met, who didn’t seem to want to work within EU rules. He says Europe must not bow to pressure from Brazil to water those rules down. Some beef is now being allowed into the EU from Brazil, but only from a limited number of licensed farms. |
Interviewee: Neil Parish MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 19 seconds |
Out-words: import their beef |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3897 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
Title: SW MEP rules out quick return to large-scale Brazilian beef imports after visiting country (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: South West |
Script details: |
South West MEP Neil Parish has ruled out a quick return to large-scale Brazilian beef imports after leading a European Parliament delegation to the country. In February a total EU ban was introduced after damning reports put the spotlight on problems with ear tagging and traceability. While some beef is now being allowed into Europe from licensed farms in Brazil, it’s only a small fraction of the previous total. Mr Parish is adamant that situation shouldn’t change unless EU traceability and safety requirements are met. On a visit to one slaughterhouse during the Brazil trip, he says he saw some of the problems first-hand. |
Interviewee: Neil Parish MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 27 seconds |
Out-words: visits to Brazil |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3896 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
Title: Yorkshire Sikh in sit down protest outside European Parliament in Brussels |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
Script details: |
A Yorkshire Sikh is claiming to have been a victim of “blatant discrimination” after she and a group of Sikhs from across the UK and Europe were denied access to the European Parliament building in Brussels (Wednesday afternoon). Ravinder Kaur from West Yorkshire (Leeds) says it was because of the small ceremonial sword worn by Sikhs at all times called a Kirpan. It’s the third year in a row that they haven’t been allowed in because of the Parliament’s security rules. It sparked a peaceful sit down protest outside the Parliament’s doors. |
Interviewee: Ravinder Kaur |
Duration: 0 minutes 32 seconds |
Out-words: it's just discrimination |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3895 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
Title: Yorks/Humber MEP: E numbers linked to hyperactivity in children to be clearly labelled under EU law? (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
Script details: |
Yorkshire and Humber MEP Linda McAvan is backing proposals that would see warning labels on food containing E numbers called azo dyes that they could cause allergies and hyperactivity in children. The idea’s been given the support of a committee of Euro-MPs in a vote this week. They also want the European Commission to act quickly to ban any food additive if evidence comes to light that it’s harmful. It comes after a report in the Lancet medical journal last year pointed to a link between azo dyes – used in brightly coloured food – and hyperactive behaviour in children. Having tried and failed to get action before, Ms McAvan says she’s now more optimistic. |
Interviewee: Linda McAvan MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 26 seconds |
Out-words: ready to move |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3894 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
Title: Yorks/Humber MEP: E numbers linked to hyperactivity in children to be clearly labelled under EU law? (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
Script details: |
Food containing E numbers called azo dyes will have to carry warnings that they could cause allergies and hyper-activity in children if proposals backed by a Yorkshire and Humber MEP become EU law. The idea has been given the support of a committee of Euro-MPs this week. They also agreed that the European Commission should ban any food additive straight away if evidence is found that it’s harmful. Labour’s Linda McAvan says a study published last year in the Lancet medical journal pointed to a link between hyperactive behaviour in children and azo dyes, used in brightly coloured foods. |
Interviewee: Linda McAvan MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 34 seconds |
Out-words: contain azo dyes |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3893 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
Title: East Midlands MEP asking for action over mobile phone cashback “scams” costing consumers dear (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
Script details: |
Thousands of people are being “stung” by mobile phone cashback “scams” according to an East Midlands MEP. So Labour’s Glenis Willmott is pressing for EU-level action to stop them. She says victims are “duped” into paying a lot up front for handsets, with the promise of cashback over time or low monthly rates. But according to Mrs Willmott, that’s proved too good to be true in many cases, because of terms and conditions in the small print, or because of companies going bust. So she’s formally asking the European Commission if it’s against EU law and what can be done to stamp it out. |
Interviewee: Glenis Willmott MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 21 seconds |
Out-words: want it now |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3892 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
Title: East Midlands MEP asking for action over mobile phone cashback “scams” costing consumers dear (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
Script details: |
East Midlands MEP Glenis Willmott is asking for EU-level action to stop mobile phone “scams” she says are costing consumers dear, even landing them in court if they can’t pay up. She told us that victims are lured into paying a lot up front for handsets, with the promise of cashback over time or low monthly rates. But because of terms and conditions in the small print, or even companies going bust, thousands of people have been left out of pocket, or even in court. So she’s formally asking the European Commission if EU law is being broken and what it can do to protect consumers. |
Interviewee: Glenis Willmott MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 20 seconds |
Out-words: it's very unfair |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3891 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: West Midlands Sikhs not allowed into European Parliament wearing ceremonial Kirpan: “an absolute disgrace” says regional MEP |
Of interest to: West Midlands |
Script details: |
Sikhs from the West Midlands have been taking part in a peaceful sit down protest in front of the European Parliament’s doors in Brussels (Wednesday). They were part of a group from across the UK and Europe who weren’t allowed into the Parliament because of the small ceremonial sword they wear at all times called a Kirpan. It’s the third year in a row that they’ve been denied access because of the Parliament’s security rules. West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne was there and told us that the Parliament has got a lot to learn. |
Interviewee: Liz Lynne MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 30 seconds |
Out-words: an absolute disgrace |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3890 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: West Midlands Sikhs not allowed into European Parliament wearing ceremonial Kirpan: “a complete nonsense” says regional MEP |
Of interest to: West Midlands |
Script details: |
Sikhs from the West Midlands were part of group from across the UK and Europe denied access to the European Parliament in Brussels today (Wednesday) because of the small ceremonial sword they wear at all times called a Kirpan. It’s the third year in a row that they haven’t been allowed in because of the Parliament’s security rules. It sparked a peaceful sit down protest outside the Parliament’s doors. West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass was there supporting the Sikhs. He told us that it was “a complete nonsense” that they couldn’t get into the Parliament because of their Kirpans. |
Interviewee: Mike Nattrass MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 28 seconds |
Out-words: on this issue |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3889 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: NE Sikhs not allowed into European Parliament wearing ceremonial Kirpan: regional MEP wants solution found |
Of interest to: North East |
Script details: |
Sikhs from the North East were part of group from across the UK and Europe denied access to the European Parliament in Brussels today (Wednesday) because of the small ceremonial sword they wear at all times called a Kirpan. It’s the third year in a row that they haven’t been allowed in because of the Parliament’s security rules. It sparked a peaceful sit down protest outside the Parliament’s doors. North East MEP Fiona Hall was there. The Liberal Democrat told us she wants a compromise found so that all of her constituents can get into the Parliament to see her. |
Interviewee: Fiona Hall MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 31 seconds |
Out-words: by the authorities |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3888 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: Leicester/East Midlands Sikhs take part in sit down protest outside European Parliament in Brussels |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
Script details: |
Sikhs from the East Midlands have been taking part in a peaceful sit down protest in front of the European Parliament’s doors in Brussels (Wednesday). They were part of a group from across the UK and Europe who weren’t allowed into the Parliament because of the small ceremonial sword they wear at all times called a Kirpan. It’s the third year in a row that they’ve been denied access because of the Parliament’s security rules. Harbhajan Singh is from Leicester. |
Interviewee: Harbhajan Singh |
Duration: 0 minutes 32 seconds |
Out-words: want to know |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3887 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: East Midlands Sikhs not allowed into European Parliament wearing ceremonial Kirpan: “shockingly dreadful” says local MEP |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
Script details: |
Sikhs from the UK and across Europe – including the East Midlands – have been holding a peaceful sit down protest at the doors of the European Parliament in Brussels this afternoon (Wednesday). It’s because they’ve been refused access to the Parliament to lobby their MEPs for the third year running. The reason: because security rules don’t allow them to come in wearing their small ceremonial sword called the Kirpan. UKIP MEP for the East Midlands Derek Clark told us that the Kirpan is an article of faith and is “totally inoffensive”. He’s claiming that not allowing the Sikhs into the Parliament is “hypocrisy in its highest, undiluted form”. |
Interviewee: Derek Clark MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 32 seconds |
Out-words: they're discriminated against |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3886 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: Champions League final: UEFA reassures Manchester MEP over counterfeit tickets and policing (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: North West |
Script details: |
North West MEP Arlene McCarthy has been asking UEFA for reassurances over ticketing and policing for the Champions League final in Moscow. And she says she’s been told that electronic ticket barriers will be in place. She thinks that’s important because of what happened last year in Athens when Liverpool fans with genuine tickets couldn’t get into the stadium because counterfeit ones had already been let in. And she’s warning anyone thinking of selling counterfeit tickets in Moscow that they’ll even be risking jail. |
Interviewee: Arlene McCarthy MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 35 seconds |
Out-words: their teams play |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3885 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: Champions League final: UEFA reassures Manchester MEP over counterfeit tickets and policing (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: North West |
Script details: |
A Manchester MEP says she’s been given reassurances by UEFA that electronic ticket barriers will be in operation for the Champions League final in Moscow to reject fakes. Labour’s Arlene McCarthy is hoping that will avoid a repeat of the “fiasco” last year in Athens, where counterfeit tickets were let in, leaving Liverpool fans with genuine ones unable to take their seats. And she told us that anyone peddling counterfeit tickets should stay away from the Moscow match because they’re likely to face tough treatment from the Russian police. |
Interviewee: Arlene McCarthy MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 32 seconds |
Out-words: to stay away |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3884 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: Kinnock calls for international pressure on Burma to lift restrictions on aid (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Wales |
Script details: |
International pressure is needed to get Burma’s ruling military to lift restrictions on international aid. That’s the call from Welsh Euro-MP – and Burma Campaign UK Patron – Glenys Kinnock. While the Burmese regime has said that it is prepared to accept aid in the wake of the cyclone, Glenys Kinnock says visa and movement restrictions on international agencies must be lifted to allow them to get help to victims. |
Interviewee: Glenys Kinnock MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 37 seconds |
Out-words: than anywhere else |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3883 |
Date: 7/5/2008 |
Title: Kinnock calls for international pressure on Burma to lift restrictions on aid (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Wales |
Script details: |
Welsh MEP – and Burma Campaign UK Patron – Glenys Kinnock says the international community must put pressure on the Burmese military regime to waive restrictions on international aid. The Labour Euro-MP is appealing in particular to China, India and Thailand – Burma’s neighbours – to use their influence. She wants those countries to help persuade Burma to lift visa and movement restrictions so that international aid organisations can get food to those in desperate need. |
Interviewee: Glenys Kinnock MEP (Burma Campaign UK Patron) |
Duration: 0 minutes 49 seconds |
Out-words: must, must change |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3882 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: Allister attacks Bill of Rights report (3 of 3) |
Of interest to: Northern Ireland |
Script details: |
A Northern Ireland MEP has written to Human Rights Commissioner, Professor Monica McWilliams, to express his concerns over the Bill of Rights Forum report. Jim Allister, founder of the Traditional Unionist Voice party, says the proposals are unnecessary and would set the citizens of Northern Ireland apart from those of the United Kingdom. He says the people of Northern Ireland need to know what’s going on and meanwhile he’ll be raising objections… |
Interviewee: Jim Allister |
Duration: 0 minutes 36 seconds |
Out-words: …served some function. |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3881 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: Allister attacks Bill of Rights report (2 of 3) |
Of interest to: Northern Ireland |
Script details: |
A Northern Ireland MEP has written to the Human Rights Commissioner, Professor Monica McWilliams, to express concern over the Bill of Rights Forum report. Jim Allister, founder of Traditional Unionist Voice, says the proposal is unnecessary and would set the citizens of Northern Ireland apart from those of the United Kingdom – unless it’s challenged… |
Interviewee: Jim Allister |
Duration: 0 minutes 31 seconds |
Out-words: …have an abundance. |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3880 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: Allister attacks Bill of Rights report (1 of 3) |
Of interest to: Northern Ireland |
Script details: |
A Northern Ireland MEP has written to Human Rights Commissioner Professor Monica McWilliams to express his concerns over the Bill of Rights Forum report. Jim Allister, founder of Traditional Unionist Voice, says the proposal would set the citizens of Northern Ireland apart from those of the United Kingdom and would fundamentally alter the rights of citizens… |
Interviewee: Jim Allister |
Duration: 0 minutes 34 seconds |
Out-words: …Irish Republic. |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3879 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: SW fishermen at “significant disadvantage” compared to Spanish and French trawlers on diesel costs says MEP (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: South West |
Script details: |
Against the backdrop of rocketing diesel bills, South West fishermen are being put at a “significant disadvantage” compared to their competitors across the Channel according to regional MEP Neil Parish. He says it’s because of government moves in Spain and France to provide their fleets with financial aid. Mr Parish claims that means it will be around seven hundred and fifty pounds cheaper for an average French trawler to fill up on diesel than a South West boat. He wants a level playing field restored for West Country fishermen. |
Interviewee: Neil Parish MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 16 seconds |
Out-words: got to do |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3878 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: SW fishermen at “significant disadvantage” compared to Spanish and French trawlers on diesel costs says MEP (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: South West |
Script details: |
South West fishermen already hit hard by rocketing diesel prices are now facing unfair competition from across the Channel according to a regional MEP. Neil Parish says it’s because of government moves in Spain and France to subsidise their fleets. He says that will see average French trawlers paying around seven hundred and fifty pounds less to fill up their diesel tanks than South West boats. To make sure there’s a level playing field he says either all EU fishermen should get a subsidy or none at all. |
Interviewee: Neil Parish MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 26 seconds |
Out-words: price of fish |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3877 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: NW MEP: renewable energy benefits will be wiped out unless we clean up coal (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: North West |
Script details: |
A North West MEP is warning that the benefits of renewable energy will be “useless” unless coal-fired power plants are forced to stop pumping CO2 into the atmosphere and store it deep underground instead. At the European Parliament Chris Davies is currently working on proposals to kick-start carbon capture and storage in Europe. From 2015 he thinks EU law should only allow new coal plants to be authorised if they’re equipped to capture and store ninety percent of CO2 emissions. He also wants existing ones retrofitted by 2025. Mr Davies says we must accept that we’re going to continue burning “huge quantities” of coal just to keep the lights on; that’s why we have to clean up the process. |
Interviewee: Chris Davies MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 23 seconds |
Out-words: the rocks forever |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3876 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: NW MEP: renewable energy benefits will be wiped out unless we clean up coal (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: North West |
Script details: |
The benefits of renewable energy will be wiped out if coal-fired power stations aren’t forced to store the CO2 they produce deep underground. That’s the warning from North West MEP Chris Davies. Right now in the European Parliament he’s working on carbon capture and storage proposals. From 2015 he wants EU law to stop new coal plants being authorised unless they’re equipped to capture and store ninety percent of CO2 emissions. He says just one new coal-fired power station proposed in Kent (Kingsnorth) will produce more CO2 than is saved by all of the UK’s wind farms. |
Interviewee: Chris Davies MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 28 seconds |
Out-words: it deep underground |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3874 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: Scotland’s fishermen crippled by diesel prices now facing unfair competition from across Channel claims MEP (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Scotland |
Script details: |
With diesel prices rocketing, Scotland’s fishermen are “desperate” for financial aid and it’s “scandalous” that they’re not getting any: that’s the message from Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson. He says France has promised to subsidise its fleet, meaning average French trawlers will pay around seven hundred and fifty pounds less to fill up on diesel than their Scots competitors. And Mr Stevenson says proposals are due this week to allow countries to use EU money to pay fuel aid for fishermen, provided they come up with national funding too. His worry is that Gordon Brown won’t be prepared to do that. |
Interviewee: Struan Stevenson MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 26 seconds |
Out-words: the English Channel |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3873 |
Date: 6/5/2008 |
Title: Scotland’s fishermen crippled by diesel prices now facing unfair competition from across Channel claims MEP (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Scotland |
Script details: |
Scotland’s fishermen crippled by rising diesel prices are now facing unfair competition from across the Channel according to MEP Struan Stevenson. He’s claiming that our boats aren’t getting any government help, while the French have promised their trawlermen state subsidies worth more than two hundred million pounds over three years. Mr Stevenson says proposals are due later this week to allow countries to use EU funds to pay fuel aid to fishermen, provided that they stump up national funding too. But he doesn’t think Gordon Brown will come up with any cash. |
Interviewee: Struan Stevenson MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 37 seconds |
Out-words: that's what happens |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3872 |
Date: 26/4/2008 |
Title: Postcard from Europe |
Of interest to: All Constituencies |
Script details: |
Free laptops for children in developing countries was one issue raised at the European Parliament's April meeting in Strasbourg. But MEPs also looked at organ transplants, homelessness, pig farming and even their own expenditure. It's a mixed bag in April's Postcard from Europe, with Jim Gibbons... |
Interviewee: Many |
Duration: 29 minutes 15 seconds |
Out-words: ...and I'm very cute. |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3871 |
Date: 24/4/2008 |
Title: Scots pig farmers losing £20 per animal now having to compete with subsidised French farmers: “unfair” says MEP (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Scotland |
Script details: |
Scots pig farmers losing twenty pounds on every animal sent to slaughter are having to compete unfairly with French pig producers subsidised by their government. That’s according to MEP for Scotland Struan Stevenson. In January he says the French announced subsidies worth seven million euros for their pig farmers, with subsidised loans on top of that. Mr Stevenson is arguing that while France is “manipulating the situation” to the advantage of its pig industry, the UK government is doing nothing to help pig farmers here. He’s raised the subsidies with the EU Agriculture Commissioner (Mariann Fischer Boel), but she’s approved them. So he now wants to bring a delegation from Scotland to the Agriculture Committee in the European Parliament. |
Interviewee: Struan Stevenson MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 44 seconds |
Out-words: pretty heated debate |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3870 |
Date: 24/4/2008 |
Title: Scots pig farmers losing £20 per animal now having to compete with subsidised French farmers: “unfair” says MEP (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Scotland |
Script details: |
Scotland’s pig farmers are being put at a disadvantage because the French government is being allowed to subsidise its pig industry. That’s according to Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson. He told us that the French are “manipulating the situation” to give their pig farmers seven million euros in subsidies this year. And on top of that he says they’re getting subsidised loans as well. But having raised the issue with the EU Agriculture Commissioner (Mariann Fischer Boel), she’s given her approval for the subsidies. Mr Stevenson is now hoping to bring a delegation of Scots pig farmers to the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. |
Interviewee: Struan Stevenson MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 33 seconds |
Out-words: about it at all |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3869 |
Date: 24/4/2008 |
Title: A47: East of England MEP told EU cash is available but UK has to apply (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Eastern |
Script details: |
East of England MEP Robert Sturdy is urging the government to apply for European funding he says could be used to develop sections of the A47 into dual carriageway. In a meeting with the EU Transport Commissioner in Strasbourg this week, Mr Sturdy says he was told that cash is available from Europe. But according to the Conservative Euro-MP, the UK government hasn’t applied. He explained that it’s an annual fund, with the deadline approaching in mid-June. |
Interviewee: Robert Sturdy MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 12 seconds |
Out-words: better than nothing |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3868 |
Date: 24/4/2008 |
Title: A47: East of England MEP told EU cash is available but UK has to apply (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Eastern |
Script details: |
European funding is available for the development of sections of the A47 into dual carriageway: that’s what East of England MEP Robert Sturdy says he’s been told in a meeting with the EU Transport Commissioner in Strasbourg. According to Mr Sturdy, the problem is that the UK government hasn’t applied for the cash. And the deadline for this year is mid-June. The regional Conservative says the Transport Commissioner is going to raise it with the UK Transport Secretary in an upcoming meeting. And Mr Sturdy is also pledging to press the government into getting their application in. |
Interviewee: Robert Sturdy MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 15 seconds |
Out-words: today until mid-June |
Click here to download |
|
|
|
| Report Number: 3867 |
Date: 24/4/2008 |
Title: RESEND: SW porpoise/dolphin deaths: EU Commissioner’s visit fresh chance to get action? (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: South West |
Script details: |
Please find a second clip with South West MEP Graham Watson available for download below. |
Interviewee: Graham Watson MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 25 seconds |
Out-words: save dolphi | |