The Government has failed to address the pressing issues that over-fishing has produced, Baroness (Sue) Miller, Liberal Democrat DEFRA Spokesperson in the House of Lords, will say today.
European Liberal Democrats from all over Europe gathered for the bi-annual ELDR Leaders and Ministers meeting, on Thursday 11th December 2008, which saw the participants reach a common position on the EU's ambitious climate change and energy 'package' of legislation on the eve of a two-day EU summit. Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament, stated: "If member states cannot agree on effective emissions trading targets, they must agree on a method for carbon capture and storage."
Commenting on reports that the Government's GM crop trials have been invalidated by a European Union ban on the weed killer atrazine, which was used in the trials, Andrew George MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, said:
During its XXII Congress, held 10-12 October in Paris, Andrew Duff MEP (Lib Dem, East of England) was elected as president of the Union of European Federalists. When presenting his candidacy, Mr Duff outlined the Federalists' response to the current events: "Above all, the European federalists are truly engaged to combat the rise of nationalism. At a time when Europe is facing security challenges at home and abroad, when the financial system's stability is at risk, and when the consequences of climate change are becoming real, the need for European unity is greater than ever."
The Europe debate at Conference backed plans to put Britain in the driving seat of the EU, refocusing the union on measures to protect the global interests and domestic security of the UK and its European partners. Among the measures in "Shaping Our World Through a Strong Europe" are: Greater cooperation among member states to tackle terrorism, international crime and people trafficking; Ensuring energy security and effective action on climate change by increasing the EU's carbon reduction target and developing a common EU energy policy; and Eliminating obstacles to cross-border economic activity within Europe.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has told LDEG that the EU is the largest and most important market for UK businesses and that its success as a competitive and growing economy which can respond flexibly to the challenges of globalisation is critically important for economic growth in the UK. They also acknowledge that the EU faces some turbulent times ahead due to the combination of a global economic downturn and the growing threat of climate change.
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