Martin Schirdewan MEP, co-president of The Left in the European Parliament & member of the EU Parliament’s UK Coordination Group has given his take on the latest developments in the negotiations between the EU & the British government. He said, “We have heard from Michel Barnier that there has been no significant movement on the fundamental…
Trade
Save the Right Whale
The European Commission is about to incentivise one of the main threats to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, by eliminating taxes on the import of lobster from the east coast of the US. Entanglements in vertical lines connecting buoys to lobster traps on the ocean floor in east coast fisheries are the leading…
MEPs appeal to High Representative Joseph Borell in support of the Kingdom of Morocco
A number of influential members of the European Parliament, representing the major political groups, have appealed to the High Representative, Joseph Borell, in support of the Kingdom of Morocco in its efforts to guarantee the free passage of goods and people in the demilitarised zone of Guerguerat, writes Gary Cartwright. European parliamentarians belonging to the…
Puppy Smuggling Peaks
Dogs Trust gave evidence at a special session of The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee this afternoon (Tuesday 24 November) on puppy smuggling. EFRA announced the one-off evidence session at the end of last week. It explored how demand for dogs in the UK has surged as a result of Covid-19 lockdown measures, further…
EU-China
The European Parliament has given its consent to the EU China agreement on cooperation, and protection of, geographical indications, the first significant bilateral trade agreement the EU concludes with China. Renew Europe is committed to protect our farmers and their products in our globalized world, and welcomes this agreement that will protect 100 European Geographical…
Borrell speaks with Bourita and Boukadoum about El Guergerat
The High Representative Josep Borrell met earlier today (November 15) with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita and of Algeria Sabri Boukadoum, to learn about the latest developments in the El Guerguerat area, following recent events. The High Representative recalled on this occasion the EU’s full support for the…
Freight Volumes Continue to Increase at Brussels Airport
312,556 passengers passed through Brussels Airport in October, barely 13% of the number of passengers in October 2019. Freight transport continues to grow, with volumes transported increasing by 12% in October. ‘The passenger figures for the last few months are obviously catastrophic,’ explains Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company. “The current situation is untenable for all players…
Morocco Restores Free Movement in El Guergerat
Following complaints from hundreds of truckers and freight transport businesses concerning road blockades and banditry in the El Guergerat region in the Moroccan Sahara, Morocco’s security forces today took action to restore the free movement of goods and people in the region. The “Polisario” and its militias entered the area on 21 October, carried out…
How will the US and the EU deal with China?
Scotland-Lithuania Cooperation
A Scottish start-up which develops technology to keep consumers safe online has struck a deal with the Lithuanian government to crack down on illicit trade. Vistalworks will spearhead closer ties between Scotland and Lithuania’s GovTech Lab, which encourages innovative solutions to help governments address a range of challenges. Glasgow-based Vistalworks is the only UK firm…