| Report Number: 3917 |
Date: 15/5/2008 |
Title: NW MEP: artificial colourings linked to hyperactivity in children should be banned by EU (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: North West |
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A North West MEP is calling for an EU ban on artificial colourings – called azo dyes – used in brightly coloured food and drinks. Labour’s Gary Titley wants to get rid of them because he says there’s no doubt that they’re linked to behavioural problems in children, hyperactivity in particular. He told us that the US and even Russia have already banned them. So Mr Titley is backing proposals, supported by a European Parliament committee, which he says would stop azo dyes being used. And he told us why he thinks action needs to be at EU level. |
Interviewee: Gary Titley MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 21 seconds |
Out-words: completely bananas frankly |
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| Report Number: 3916 |
Date: 15/5/2008 |
Title: NW MEP: artificial colourings linked to hyperactivity in children should be banned by EU (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: North West |
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To protect North West children from artificial colourings linked to hyperactive behaviour, a regional MEP is calling for an EU ban on the azo dyes. They’re used in brightly coloured food and drinks. Labour’s Gary Titley says there’s a long history of the link between them and hyperactivity in children, reinforced by a university study published in the Lancet medical journal last year. He’s now backing EU-level proposals he says would see them outlawed. The proposals have already won the support of the European Parliament committee that deals with health and food safety. |
Interviewee: Gary Titley MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 24 seconds |
Out-words: need for it |
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| Report Number: 3915 |
Date: 15/5/2008 |
Title: Yorkshire Ripper: Labour must not be trapped by legal loopholes into freeing him by 2011 says Yorkshire MEP (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
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A Yorkshire Conservative is warning Justice Secretary Jack Straw that Labour must not be trapped by legal loopholes into freeing the Yorkshire Ripper by 2011. Timothy Kirkhope is a former Home Office Minister and now an MEP for Yorkshire. His call comes in response to reports that Peter Sutcliffe’s lawyer is to claim a breach of human rights because the exact length of his sentence was never fixed. In a statement (on the ‘Conservatives in the European Parliament’ website), Mr Kirkhope said: “It will be a disaster if Labour's Human Rights Act ends up in allowing one of the most disgusting criminals in our history back into the community." Mr Kirkhope told us that he wants the Secretary of State to intervene “at an early stage”. (Note: the statement by Timothy Kirkhope can be found at http://www.conservativeeurope.com//news/757/jack-straw-must-not-allow-the-yorkshire-ripper-out-says-conservative-mep.aspx) |
Interviewee: Timothy Kirkhope MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 10 seconds |
Out-words: the major priority |
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| Report Number: 3914 |
Date: 15/5/2008 |
Title: Yorkshire Ripper: Labour must not be trapped by legal loopholes into freeing him by 2011 says Yorkshire MEP (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
Script details: |
Labour must ensure that it is not trapped by legal loopholes into freeing the Yorkshire Ripper by 2011. That’s the message to Justice Secretary Jack Straw from former Conservative Home Office Minister and Yorkshire MEP Timothy Kirkhope. It follows reports that Peter Sutcliffe’s lawyer is to claim that his human rights have been breached because the exact length of his sentence was never fixed. In a statement (on the ‘Conservatives in the European Parliament’ website), Mr Kirkhope said: “It will be a disaster if Labour's Human Rights Act ends up in allowing one of the most disgusting criminals in our history back into the community." Speaking to us at the European Parliament in Brussels, he called on the Secretary of State to intervene “at an early stage”. (Note: the statement by Timothy Kirkhope can be found at http://www.conservativeeurope.com//news/757/jack-straw-must-not-allow-the-yorkshire-ripper-out-says-conservative-mep.aspx) |
Interviewee: Timothy Kirkhope MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 23 seconds |
Out-words: of harm's way |
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| Report Number: 3913 |
Date: 15/5/2008 |
Title: East Midlands MEP backs banning artificial colourings linked to hyperactivity in children (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
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Artificial colourings linked to hyperactivity in children would be outlawed according to East Midlands MEP Glenis Willmott if proposals she’s backing become EU law. She wants a total ban on azo dyes, used in brightly coloured food and drink. She says a British university study published in the Lancet medical journal last year showed that they can cause hyperactive behaviour in children. In a recent vote the European Parliament committee that deals with health and food safety agreed that the European Commission should act quickly to ban any food additive if there’s evidence that it’s harmful. If national governments give their support too and that becomes EU law, Mrs Willmott says we’ll see the end of azo dyes. |
Interviewee: Glenis Willmott MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 16 seconds |
Out-words: our children safe |
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| Report Number: 3912 |
Date: 15/5/2008 |
Title: East Midlands MEP backs banning artificial colourings linked to hyperactivity in children (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
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East Midlands MEP Glenis Willmott is backing proposals she says will ban artificial colourings linked to hyperactivity in children. She told us that a British university study published in the Lancet medical journal last year provided evidence of the link between azo dyes, used in brightly coloured food and drink, and hyperactive behaviour in children. Now a European Parliament committee has voted in favour of warning labels on products containing azo dyes. It also wants the European Commission to act quickly to ban any food additive if there’s evidence that it’s harmful. If the proposals become law, Mrs Willmott says that will mean the end of azo dyes. |
Interviewee: Glenis Willmott |
Duration: 0 minutes 27 seconds |
Out-words: think we shouldn't |
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| Report Number: 3911 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: Leicester MP: Europe matters (long) |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
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A former government minister is concerned that next year's European election could be used by voters to bash the government, as with the recent local elections. Leicester West MP Patricia Hewitt has been at the European Parliament in Brussels for the first-ever visit by Labour's National Executive Committee, although she's not actually a member. She says the EU is of increasing importance for the UK and the Conservatives would weaken Britain's position. Ms Hewitt says it's not a vote to be taken lightly... |
Interviewee: Patricia Hewitt, MP |
Duration: 3 minutes 7 seconds |
Out-words: ...Conservatives don't. |
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| Report Number: 3910 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: Leicester MP: Europe matters (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
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A former Minister says her party's mauling in the local elections makes it all the more important to put up a fight at the European elections next year. Leicester West MP Patricia Hewitt was at the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday (Wednesday) for the first ever visit there by Labour's National Executive, although she's not a member of it. She says the anti-EU stance of the current Conservative Party could leave Britain at a disadvantage in Europe and voters shouldn't see the European election as another chance to bash the government.. |
Interviewee: Patricia Hewitt, MP |
Duration: 0 minutes 38 seconds |
Out-words: ...of their policy. |
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| Report Number: 3909 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: Leicester MP: Europe matters (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: East Midlands |
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Former Minister Patricia Hewitt says the disappearance of Madeleine McCann shows how important it is to develop cooperation within the EU - and that her party is best positioned to do that. The Leicester West MP was at the European Parliament in Brussels yesterday (Wednesday) for the first ever visit there by Labour's National Executive, although she's not a member of it. She says people who downplay the importance of the EU should remember the UK relies on its European partners to tackle cases of child abduction... |
Interviewee: Patricia Hewitt, MP |
Duration: 0 minutes 34 seconds |
Out-words: ...Conservatives don't. |
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| Report Number: 3908 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: MEP pledges to fight teenagers' extradition to Cyprus (full interview) |
Of interest to: Eastern |
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A local Labour MEP has promised to fight for justice for two Essex teenagers sentenced to jail terms in Cyprus in their absence. Luke Atkinson and Michael Binnington, from Witham, were cleared by a Cyprus court of responsibility for a road rage death; they were back seat passengers in the car involved. But the case was reheard without them being told and three year jail terms were handed down. Labour MEP Richard Howitt has taken up their cause and says he’ll resist moves by Cyprus authorities to extradite them… |
Interviewee: Richard Howitt |
Duration: 2 minutes 3 seconds |
Out-words: …going to do. |
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| Report Number: 3907 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: MEP pledges to fight teenagers' extradition to Cyprus (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Eastern |
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A local Labour MEP has promised to fight for justice for two Essex teenagers sentenced to jail terms in Cyprus in their absence. Luke Atkinson and Michael Binnington, who are from Witham, were cleared by a Cyprus court of responsibility for a road rage death; they were back seat passengers in the car involved. But the case was reheard without them being told and three year jail terms were handed down. Labour MEP Richard Howitt, who has taken up their cause, says he’ll fight moves to extradite them, even though European Arrest Warrants have now been issued by the Cyprus authorities… |
Interviewee: Richard Howitt |
Duration: 0 minutes 15 seconds |
Out-words: …denied in Cyprus. |
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| Report Number: 3906 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: MEP pledges to fight teenagers' extradition to Cyprus (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Eastern |
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A local Labour MEP has promised to fight for justice for two Essex teenagers sentenced to jail terms in Cyprus in their absence. Luke Atkinson and Michael Binnington from Witham were cleared by a Cyprus court of responsibility for a road rage death; they were back seat passengers in the car involved. But the case was reheard without them being told and three year jail terms were handed down. Labour MEP Richard Howitt has taken up their cause and says he’ll resist moves by Cyprus authorities to extradite them… |
Interviewee: Richard Howitt |
Duration: 0 minutes 28 seconds |
Out-words: …failed to do so. |
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| Report Number: 3905 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: Flood aid: Yorks/Humber MEP admits reported Treasury plans could count against UK if it applies for Solidarity Fund help in future |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
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If the Treasury keeps 80 million of 110 million pounds of EU aid agreed in response to last summer’s flooding, a Yorkshire and Humber MEP thinks that could count against the UK if we ask for similar aid in the future. We’ve been speaking to Labour’s Richard Corbett at the European Parliament about the grant from the EU’s Solidarity Fund. He says because Britain is getting extra money from Brussels in the form of the aid, “bean counters” in the Treasury are concerned that our EU rebate will be reduced next year, so they want to keep a large proportion of that aid to compensate. But Mr Corbett admits that may affect the response we get if we go cap in hand to the EU Solidarity Fund in the future. |
Interviewee: Richard Corbett MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 17 seconds |
Out-words: that negative implication |
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| Report Number: 3904 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: Yorks/Humber MEP demands clarity over how much EU flood aid will actually go to regions hit last summer (2 of 2) |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
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A Yorkshire and Humber MEP says she’ll keep up the pressure for “clear answers” from the government over what it’s planning to do with 110 million pounds worth of EU aid agreed in response to last summer’s flooding. Lib Dem Diana Wallis says a letter she got last week from Local Government Minister John Healey indicated that only 31 million pounds will actually be given out to the regions hit. It’s thought that the Treasury is planning to keep the rest because it’s concerned that its EU rebate will be reduced since it’s getting extra money in the form of the flood aid. But by bringing Britain's rebate into the equation, Diana Wallis is accusing John Healey of causing “confusion” and “dismay”. So she now wants him to clarify the situation. |
Interviewee: Diana Wallis MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 18 seconds |
Out-words: already been suffered |
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| Report Number: 3903 |
Date: 14/5/2008 |
Title: Yorks/Humber MEP demands clarity over how much EU flood aid will actually go to regions hit last summer (1 of 2) |
Of interest to: Yorkshire and the Humber |
Script details: |
Lib Dem MEP for Yorkshire and Humber Diana Wallis is calling for “clear answers” from the government over EU aid intended to help cover the cost of last summer’s flooding. A grant of 110 million pounds was agreed for the UK from the EU’s Solidarity Fund. But she says a letter from Local Government Minister John Healey last week indicated that only 31 million pounds will actually be given to flood-hit regions. It’s thought to be because the Treasury is concerned that since it’s getting extra money from Europe, Britain’s EU rebate will be reduced next year. In a statement today (Wednesday) Diana Wallis said the Minister “has only introduced confusion and dismay by bringing the UK's rebate into the equation”. So she wants clarification from him. |
Interviewee: Diana Wallis MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 19 seconds |
Out-words: and the Humber |
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| Report Number: 3902 |
Date: 13/5/2008 |
Title: Gloucs Cllr and MEP raise flood aid concerns with European Commission (4 of 4) |
Of interest to: South West |
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MEP for Gloucestershire Graham Watson and County Councillor Jeremy Hilton have been to the European Commission raising concerns over the UK government’s handling of EU aid intended to help cover the cost of last summer’s flooding. According to the two Lib Dems, the meeting confirmed that while Brussels gave the green light to the payment of 110 million pounds more than a month ago, our government still hasn’t provided details of which bank account to pay the money into. And speaking to us after the meeting in the Belgian capital, Councillor Hilton told us that the Commission is also still waiting for a document from the government explaining how it’s going to spend the money. (Note: please also see reports 3899, 3900 and 3901 at www.radioep.com) |
Interviewee: Jeremy Hilton (Gloucestershire County Councillor) |
Duration: 0 minutes 24 seconds |
Out-words: the right place |
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| Report Number: 3901 |
Date: 13/5/2008 |
Title: Gloucs Cllr and MEP raise flood aid concerns with European Commission (3 of 4) |
Of interest to: South West |
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Even though EU aid to help cover the cost of last year’s flooding in Gloucestershire and across the country was given the green light by Brussels more than a month ago, the government still hasn’t given the European Commission the bank account details to pay it into. That’s what South West MEP Graham Watson and Gloucestershire County Councillor Jeremy Hilton say they’ve had confirmed at a meeting with Commission officials this afternoon (Tuesday) in the Belgian capital. Councillor Hilton says there’s still a lot of work to do in the aftermath of the flooding in Gloucestershire and so he’s calling on the government to give the Commission the information it needs. |
Interviewee: Jeremy Hilton (Gloucestershire County Councillor) |
Duration: 0 minutes 23 seconds |
Out-words: sorted as well |
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| Report Number: 3900 |
Date: 13/5/2008 |
Title: Gloucs Cllr and MEP raise flood aid concerns with European Commission (2 of 4) |
Of interest to: South West |
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Despite weeks of waiting, our government still hasn’t told the European Commission which bank account to pay millions of pounds of aid into to help cover the cost of last summer’s flooding. That’s what Gloucestershire County Councillor Jeremy Hilton and South West MEP Graham Watson say they’ve had confirmed by Commission representatives in a meeting in Brussels this afternoon (Tuesday). The two Lib Dems were also raising concerns over reports that the Treasury plans to keep around 80 million pounds of the 110 million total funding. On that point, the Commission said it’s down to the UK government to decide. So Mr Watson now wants to take that up in person with Local Government Minister John Healey. |
Interviewee: Graham Watson MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 33 seconds |
Out-words: the Treasury's coffers |
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| Report Number: 3899 |
Date: 13/5/2008 |
Title: Gloucs Cllr and MEP raise flood aid concerns with European Commission (1 of 4) |
Of interest to: South West |
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Gloucestershire County Councillor Jeremy Hilton and South West MEP Graham Watson have been meeting European Commission representatives in Brussels this afternoon (Tuesday). They’ve been raising concerns over EU aid supposed to be on its way to help cover the cost of last summer’s flooding. But Mr Watson is accusing the UK Treasury of “stealing” nearly 80 million pounds of the 110 million total because it’s concerned its EU rebate will be reduced. And he claims today’s meeting also confirmed delays because our government hasn’t even given the European Commission the bank account details to pay the money into. |
Interviewee: Graham Watson MEP |
Duration: 0 minutes 29 seconds |
Out-words: kick up the backside |
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| 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 |
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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 |
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| 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 |
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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 |
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| 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 |
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| Report Number: 3895 |
Date: 8/5/2008 |
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