Tag Archives: Parliament

Worse attack on Camp Liberty

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In response to the missile attack on Camp Liberty on October 29th, David Campbell Bannerman MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Iraq has issued the following statement:

“As Chairman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with Iraq, I strongly condemn the attack on Camp Liberty, Iraq, that took place yesterday (October 29th 2015) taking the lives of over twenty people and injuring dozens more.

“My thoughts are with the people of Camp Liberty who were victims of this unspeakable and unprovoked attack.

“I urge the Iraqi government to do everything in their power to find the perpetrators of this horrifying terrorist act and bring them to justice. We will be closely watching their approach and need to see serious intent.”

East of England MEP: We must destroy ISIL wherever it resides

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In a speech to the European Parliament this week, Conservative MEP for the East of England and recently elected President of the European Union’s Iraq Delegation, David Campbell Bannerman called for tough action in “destroying” ISIL.  The MEP also said that “I had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister of Turkey and Foreign Minister in Ankara two weeks ago in which I directly raised my concerns on Kobanê.”  He went on to say that “Turkey’s very positive announcement to allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to cross its border into Kobanê is most welcome, particularly with their sensitivities over PKK. We should support the Kurdistan Regional Government, but not get too close to the Iranian regime. In this regard, we should say that ‘The enemy of your enemy is not necessarily your friend.’ ” The MEP also promised “I intend to play a constructive role to ensure all tools: military, political, economic, humanitarian are used to destroy ISIL and protect minorities from these purveyors of evil.”

MEP praises Fearnley-Whittingstall for fishing policy breakthrough

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DCB with anti-discard protestors.

David Campbell Bannerman MEP with anti-discard protestors.

One of the region’s Euro-MPs has made a strong speech against the current disgraceful fish discards imposed on local fishermen by the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), in a bid to save what remains of the centuries-old industry.

Eastern region MEP David Campbell Bannerman, made the speech as part of a long anticipated debate in the European Parliament on the Common Fisheries Policy, that follows protests from the public and celebrities, such as TV Chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his Fish Fight, which David signed up to early on.

The protests have been against the current rules that force fishermen to throw back any fish caught above their strict quota, even though the fish are already dead by the time they have to be discarded, with discards reaching up to 90{6c073e6ddc991e32b987c2976a0494c1ef7e7c4976e02d56946b9937f4a8f0f4} in some UK waters.

Although the debate today did not fix a precise date for the removal of the discard rules, a timetable for such decisions to be made was agreed.

In his speech to the Parliament Mr Campbell Bannerman, a member of the International Trade Committee, said: “I welcome the limited reforms passed today, despite strong resistance. All credit to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for his sterling efforts and to ECR Group.

“I fear however that this is still rather like spraying perfume on a long, dead fish – the bad odour lingers on.

“The Common Fisheries Policy has been a disaster. It has failed both to secure fish stocks and to support fishing jobs. The East of England fishing community has been devastated by it, and fishing right across the UK.

“The issue of discards in particular is an absolute disgrace: the practice of throwing edible, dead fish back in the sea. Discards are up to 90{6c073e6ddc991e32b987c2976a0494c1ef7e7c4976e02d56946b9937f4a8f0f4} in some areas. Norway and Iceland have never had discards, and regard them as criminal. So why has it taken so long for the EU to follow, and why do we still have measures such as Article 119(/4) which wanted still to allow some discards ?

“The problem continues.”

Speaking in Strasbourg after the vote, the MEP added: “I have been contacted by a huge amount of constituents angry at the current situation, and urging support for the ending of discards.

“Today’s vote puts in place a mandate for that change to take place, and for the sake of my concerned constituents and the future of the fishing industry in the Eastern Counties, I will not let this matter drop until these outrageously wasteful discards are ended.”

ENDS

Picture shows: DCB with anti-discard protestors

Oliver W Adam
Media Advisor to David Campbell Bannerman MEP
Conservative Member of the European Parliament (Eastern Counties)
Mobile: 07788 55 8041

David Campbell Bannerman MEP Mission Statement

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As a Conservative MEP I believe my role is:

To promote what I and my party believes in, particularly our policies, through public speaking and media opportunities…

To represent my constituents to the best of my ability in the European Parliament.

To highlight, challenge and vote against bad and damaging EU legislation and EU initiatives of detriment to the United Kingdom.