Post-Briefing - 7-8 May 2008 - Brussels plenary session

Opening the Brussels plenary session, EP President Hans-Gert PÖTTERING made a statement on the devastation caused by the cyclone in Burma/Myanmar. President Pöttering said: "We all are aware of the terrible consequences of the tropical storm, which hit Burma/Myanmar last Sunday, a tragedy that killed over tens of thousands people, left hundreds of thousands homeless and destroyed infrastructures in the most populated area of the country. The people in Burma/Myanmar deserve our deep solidarity; I therefore wish to express it here on behalf of the European Parliament and in all sincerity. At the same time we think about our Sakharov Prize Winner Aung SAN SUU KYI at this time. We are united with her in solidarity and demand her release so that she can work for freedom and democracy for her people."

 

EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering announced the adoption of the written declaration on microcredit. It calls on the Commission and the Council to lend greater support to microcredit projects and to bolster programmes to help women. The written declaration calls for human and financial resources to be allocated to microcredit projects in the developing countries and in the Mediterranean.

 

Debating the situation in Georgia given the escalating tensions in the region and concerns over build-up of Russian troops, many MEPs expressed their solidarity and support for Georgia's territorial integrity given the deteriorating situation in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. MEPs will vote on a resolution on this topic in June.

 

Creating uniform standards for trade and investment and removing non-tariff barriers are among the suggestions of MEPs to strengthen ties between the two trade blocs. On the ban on imported hormone-treated beef, MEPs say it is fully justified "on the basis of scientific evidence" in a resolution adopted Thursday (8 May) by the House. A single authorisation procedure for all food and feed containing GMOs is also suggested.

 

Stricter rules on doping, no quotas for football players from specific countries and a fair distribution of lottery profits are among the proposals of the European Parliament in a report adopted by a large majority (518 in favour to 49 against and 9 abstentions). The report calls for the Commission to come up with clearer guidelines on how to apply EU rules in the area of sport. Parliament also voices concern about the possible deregulation of gambling markets.

 

The European Parliament adopted by an overwhelming majority on Thursday (8 May) its 2007 annual report on human rights in the world. One positive development identified in the report is the UN's call for a moratorium on the death penalty. However, human rights abuses in many countries, notably China, Iran and Russia, continue to give cause for concern. The report, drafted by Marco CAPPATO (ALDE, IT) and approved by 533 votes in favour to 63 against and 41 abstentions, also evaluates the EU's efforts to promote human rights through its own policies.

 

The report on election observation missions is the first of its kind, and supports the EU's observation missions, underlining how crucial they are, especially in developing countries. The European Parliament wants to increase its role especially in the immediate post-election period when the new parliaments are called, and legislators need advice on how to function in a democracy. The report was drafted by José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA (EPP-ED, ES) and Véronique DE KEYSER (PES, BE) and considers that in absolute terms the holding of elections cannot be regarded as the sole indicator of democracy, but that, nevertheless, it has a positive effect on the democratisation process as measured by improvements in civil liberties, provided that political pluralism, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of expression, equal access to the media, secret ballots and respect for human rights are secured.

 

A mandatory public register for lobbyists, common to the Council, Commission and Parliament and providing for "full financial disclosure", was proposed by the European Parliament. Lobbyists would also have to comply with a code of conduct and face sanctions if they infringed it. MEPs voted in favour of a mandatory public register of lobbyists. MEPs backed a "one-stop-shop" proposal, whereby lobbyists would need to register only once to have access to Parliament, the Commission and the Council.

 

Parliament adopted a non-binding report on support schemes for farmers (support for cotton) which calls for a deeper revision of the aid system introduced in 2004 so as to allow more flexibility to Member States. MEPs say that policies to forecast, mitigate and combat the effects of climate change on cotton-producing regions may be funded under the national support programmes. Cotton growing represents only 0.15% of EU agriculture production but is very important at economic, social and environmental levels in EU southern countries and should therefore be preserved according to MEPs. After the 2004 reform was annulled by the European Court of Justice at the request of Spain, the Commission has tabled a new proposal based on the same lines.

 

The EP is in favour of concluding a free-trade accord between the EU and the 10 countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). However, say MEPs in the committee, the agreement must meet certain conditions regarding sustainable development, the fight against fraud and respect for human rights. The report, drafted by Glyn FORD (PES, UK) and adopted by an overwhelming majority, supports plans for a free-trade agreement with ASEAN subject to WTO rules and the outcome of the Doha development round. Glyn Ford said: "ASEAN is an increasingly important power in the world. ASEAN is the EU's 5th largest trading partner, ranking ahead of Japan. This EU-ASEAN FTA would be beneficial to both sides, including to poor countries in the region. For obvious reasons, Burma will not be part of that trade agreement".

 

The European Parliament adopted a report on the management of deep-sea fish stocks. MEPs note "a certain lack of symmetry between the situation described in the Commission communication and the actual situation", calling on the Commission, the Member States and the fishing industry to "fill in the gaps" that exist so that effort control measures can be adapted to each fishery, recognising that most deep-water fisheries are mixed fisheries.

 

MEPs adopted a non-binding report drawn up by Josu ORTUONDO LARREA (ALDE, ES) recommending approval to the conclusion of a fisheries agreement between the European Community and Seychelles. Fishing opportunities remain unchanged (40 tuna seiners from France, Spain and Italy and 12 surface longliners from France, Spain and Portugal), the annual financial contribution increases from 4,125,000 euros to 5,355,000 euros and the reference tonnage from 55,000 tonnes to 63,000 tonnes.

 

A proposed Council Decision authorising Portugal to apply until 31 December 2013 a reduced rate of excise duty to beer brewed in Madeira by small independent breweries and consumed locally is endorsed by the European Parliament (report by Sergio MARQUES, EPP-ED, PT) adopted Thursday (8 May). Portugal points out that this measure is considered essential to the survival of the local brewing industry. The decision would apply where annual production exceeds 200,000 hectolitres but not 300,000 hectolitres. Production in excess of 200,000 hectolitres will be eligible for the reduced rate only to the extent that it is consumed locally, so as not to undermine the EU single market.