Mairead with Laois-Offaly TDs Charlie Flanagan, Fine Gael Party Chairman and Marcella Corcoran kennedy; and Eric Keane, YFG President.

“The failings of the past in terms of economic mismanagement have left young people carrying the can”, Mairead McGuinness MEP told the Young Fine Gael conference in Tullamore tonight (Friday), during her opening address.

“Youth unemployment is high – too high. Across the EU, more than 5.5 million young people are unemployed or about 22.3% of the entire youth workforce, according to the latest statistics. Spain is the hardest hit with youth unemployment there edging to 50%. Ireland currently has 29% youth unemployment. While there are tentative signs that youth employment may be levelling off across Europe, it is still unacceptable that young people in many member states cannot find work.

“The language of political debate and discussion at EU level has centred on debt reduction and austerity programmes until recent days. But this week in the European Parliament, the debate shifted to that of jobs and growth with a real focus on youth unemployment. The problems of the euro zone and the EU have not gone away, but there is a growing political acceptance that the medicine of austerity alone will not cure the problems and in fact could exacerbate our difficulties.

“We risk losing the support of citizens in these one-sided measures, where they cannot see a better future. There is also a real risk that support for the EU will wane with an increasingly anti-EU sentiment. It is time to change tack and do so rapidly.

“During my time as a Member of the European Parliament, I have seen a sundering of solidarity at EU level. Peripheral member states see the imposition of austerity by the more powerful centre, led by Germany and France. This is an overly simplistic analysis of the situation and ignores the support which is being provided to member states.”

McGuinness said it was time to refocus on growing the EU for the benefit of all member states: “This week, Italian Prime Minister, Mario Monti made a very welcome contribution to the debate about deepening European integration. He spoke of his responsibility to Italy and his responsibility to the EU as being one and the same thing. He openly criticised the practice of many national governments which point the finger of blame at the EU for decisions which they were part and parcel of making at EU level.

“His promise not to engage in this behaviour was welcome and necessary. Prime Minister Monti spoke about the ’scarce raw material’ of public opinion in favour of the EU and the need to proceed with caution. His concern about deepening scepticism about the EU must be heeded, so too must his determination to refocus efforts on European integration,” McGuinness concluded.

Speaking following a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the “Dairy Package”, McGuinness said the new legislation will help dairy farmers in some member states:

“In countries where dairy processing is in the hands of private processors it will help by providing them with the opportunity to form producer organisations to strengthen their bargaining position.

“However, this new “dairy package” does not address the current situation facing Irish dairy farmers,” she said.

The MEP told the Parliament that in Ireland dairy farmers risk a super-levy fine on milk production at a time when the EU collectively is under quota by about 6pc.

Calling on the Commission to revisit the issue of the soft landing and look at some solutions to the current situation by allowing for a reduction in super-levy and/or a butterfat adjustment, she said:

“It is hard to explain to farmers that they face the possibility of being fined when there is a buoyant market for dairy products and the EU is effectively under quota.

“The response of the Commission does not give me any confidence of an immediate resolution,” McGuinness said and in those circumstances she urged dairy farmers to stay within quota to avoid super levy bills.

There will be a mid-term review of the dairy sector in June of next year, McGuinness added.

“Agricultural Commission Ciolos said in the debate that there is no need to revisit the decision on a gradual increase in milk quota as we approach abolition in 2015.

“On transparency in the food supply chain, the Commissioner told the Parliament that if those involved in the chain who are currently in discussions about greater fairness in the chain do not agree among themselves by June of this year, the Commission will be forced to regulate.,” she said.

The extent of the erosion of soils in Ireland and across Europe is charted in a major new scientific study which Ireland East Fine Gael MEP, Mairead McGuinness, says should inform all future policy considerations.

“It is from the soil that virtually all food, fuel and fibres are produced. Yet this report, ‘The State of Soil in Europe’, a contribution to the European Environmental Agency Environment State and Outlook Report, shows that soil resources are being very seriously exploited, degraded and irreversibly lost,” she said in Strasbourg today.

The MEP says the report very clearly points to the causes – poor land management practices, industrial activities and the kind of land use changes that lead to soil sealing, contamination, erosion and loss of organic carbon.

“The study also illustrates the lack of awareness and knowledge about the functions and importance of soil to our wellbeing and that of future generations,” she said.

Soil, defined as the top layer of the Earth’s crust, is according to the report a habitat and gene pool that serves as a platform for human activities, landscape and heritage and acts as a provider of raw materials.

The study found that soil erosion by water is one of the most widespread forms of soil degradation in Europe, affecting 105 million ha, or 16% of Europe’s total land area (excluding the Russian Federation).

It also found a loss of 970,000 ha of agricultural land due to urbanisation for 20EU Member States in the 10-year period from 1990 to 2000. The annual impact of soil losses due to urbanisation, on the production capability of agriculture in the EU-25, has been estimated to be equivalent to the loss of more than 6 million tonnes of wheat.

It found that many soil degradation processes are accelerating in many parts of Europe and it has reached a state of irreversibility in some parts of the Mediterranean region.

McGuinness said: “As the report points out soil is second only to the oceans as a global carbon sink. We need to better appreciate the economic, social and the environmental value of soil. And we need to nurture and better care for it so that it can go on giving,” she said.

In this quote, the Greek Finance Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, sums up the immensely difficult situation that faced the country’s Parliament late on Sunday night last when it approved the terms of a new €130 billion EU-IMF bailout.

In approving the agreement, Greece has accepted harsh austerity measures. Complex political negotiations were underway as tens of thousands of protesters clashed with police outside Parliament in Syntagma Square.

After a nine hour debate, of 278 deputies present, 199 voted for, and 74 against the new austerity package required by Eurozone countries in order to secure the second bailout.

The high number voting against the measures and the thousands protesting outside the negotiations demonstrates the challenge Greece faces in the starkest terms.

Even with the Parliament’s approval it’s clear from Brussels that there is still work to be done, and as I write it’s still not certain that Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos has a deal in place.

Mr Papademos voiced some hope after emerging from the tense Parliament session, when he said the package will “set the foundations for the reform and recovery of the economy”. With an unemployment rate of 21% and facing more stringent cutbacks, rebuilding the Greek economy will remain a serious challenge for many years to come.

The work of the European Parliament continues with a monthly plenary session in Strasbourg this week. Interim Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti will address Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday. Mr Monti recently questioned whether European politics suffers from being overly polite, which may not suit these more difficult times and in fact may perhaps have added to the problems.

New virus.

As always, there are new legislative reports to be debated, amended and approved this week. MEPs will discuss measures to protect our agriculture sector from Bluetongue disease.

We must remain vigilant against any animal viruses. Indeed, just last week, I urged the Irish authorities to be prepared against a new virus affecting animals and thought to be transmitted by insects, the Schmallenberg Virus.

While it is so far not considered to be a threat to humans, it is of concern to the livestock sector and there is a need for vigilance at this early stage. It has been detected in sheep, cattle and goats and has, to date, infected animals in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, so it is far too close for comfort. The EU continues to monitor this situation.

CAP meeting.

Information is vital in instances like this across Europe and for farm-level management. Knowledge is power and this old saying was reinforced to me when I attended a Bank of Ireland Agricultural seminar in Dungarvan on Thursday night last.

The many people who turned out for the info session were very keen to learn about the proposals and how they would impact at farm level.
The problem is that we are not in a position to give that level of detail.

In my address, I expressed doubt about the target date of January 1st, 2014 for putting in place a new farm payment scheme. That date looks increasingly unrealistic; implementation in 2015 would also be problematic.

There is the added concern that the new CAP would increase associated administration costs by 15% for Member States, which is another concern that needs to be considered. Following political agreement on the reforms, Member States would need 18-24 months to put in place changes to information systems and procedures, causing further delay.

These are obvious hurdles facing the scheme but the European Commission must also be mindful of the need to effectively communicate the details to farmers. The reforms are complex and farmers need time to understand and assess the direction of the proposals. It is very clear that we all have a duty to inform and educate the public about what is on the table. We also have a duty to listen and learn directly from farmers about their concerns. That is why the Waterford meeting was so helpful from my perspective.

Speaking of taking time out, many school-children in Ireland are enjoying a mid-term break from school work this week. It’s such a pity that the European Parliament cannot organise its business around the Irish school calendar. Ironically the Parliament has a constituency week next week – so I’m at home when the schools re-open, and away when they are off – bad timing!

“Only 26% of Europeans (including those surveyed in Ireland) and around 34% of regular travellers know that 112 is the single emergency number to call in the EU when in trouble, either in or outside of their home country.

“This 112 European emergency number is reachable from fixed and mobile phones, free of charge, everywhere in the EU. It links the caller to the relevant emergency service (local police, fire brigade or medical services) and is available 24-hours a day. The number is now operational in all EU member states alongside existing national emergency numbers,” the Ireland East Fine Gael MEP explained.

She said the survey by Eurobarometer shows that awareness of the emergency helpline is actually dwindling. With this in mind, the European Commission is now joining forces with major transport companies across the EU in order to raise awareness.

“The emergency 112 number will now be publicised without cost to taxpayers on e-tickets, in on-board magazines, on their company websites and through their staff. This will help get the message out and to ensure citizens and visitors alike know the number.

“The awareness campaign needs to gain momentum now with annual skiing holidays taking place, and ahead of spring city-breaks and summer holidays. Now is the time to promote the helpline,” McGuinnness added.

The 112 helpline is fully operational in Ireland with operators fluent in English, French and Polish available to take emergency calls.

Speaking at a Bank of Ireland Agri seminar in Dungarvan on Thursday night (February, 9th) , McGuinness said that apart from trying to reach agreement on the details of the reform proposals which will be difficult, paying agencies in member states have questioned the 2014 start date, claiming that implementation in 2015 would be problematic.

“At a conference in the European Parliament this week, concern was expressed about the short timeframe for conclusion of the discussion on the proposals and implementation at farm level.”

Michael Cooper, director of the UK co-ordinating body told the conference that following agreement of the implementing provisions which would follow a political agreement on the reforms, member states would need 18-24 months to put in place changes to information systems and procedures.

“He also questioned the EU Commission’s assessment that the new system would result in a 15pc increase in administration costs for member states.

“Mr Cooper said that member states believe that the new system proposed by the Commission would result in a much greater increase in costs for member states than the 15pc in the Commission’s impact assessment.

“Given that many member states face cuts in public sector budgets and staff, the fact that administration costs would increase under the reforms is unacceptable,” McGuinness said.

“The Commission must revisit the proposals and take into account the need for a simple, easy to administer scheme,” she added.

On the details of the reforms, McGuinness said the new “greening” proposals for direct payments, the definition of active farmer, the move to a flat rate payment by 2019 and the redistribution of money both between member states and between farmers in member states are hugely controversial.

“The Parliament is engaged in intensive discussion on the detail, as is the Council. But it may be Autumn before there is agreement on their respective positions. The Parliament has indicated its unwillingness to commit to a final agreement until such time as there is political agreement on the actual figures available to fund the CAP. This could push final agreement well into the term of the Irish Presidency of the EU in 2013.”

McGuinness said the reforms are complex and farmers need time to understand the detail and the direction of the proposals.

“But it is important to say that what is on the table now will change as the talks progress. Our aim is to ensure that the CAP budget is protected and that Ireland holds onto its share of that budget, which is crucial to underpin production and support farm incomes.”

McGuinness urged farmers to familiarise themselves with what is on the table and to engage in the debate on the reforms.

“I am also anxious that we need to focus our efforts on ensuring that market support measures are sufficient to protect against price volatility and market crises which will inevitably hit the sector in the future.

“The debate about direct payments must be matched by a debate about market support measures – we cannot have a sustainable agriculture without adequate market measures,” she concluded.

Welcoming a new preliminary analysis of the virus, known as the “Schmallenberg” virus, by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) she said: “This virus has been found in sheep, cattle and goats and has to date infected animals in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, so it is far too close for comfort.”

The MEP said that in infected animals, the virus has currently been observed to cause fever, diarrhoea and reduced milk production for up to a week. If infection occurs in pregnant animals during a short, vulnerable stage of the pregnancy, it can result in severe birth defects of the offspring.

She said the EFSA report focuses on the animal health and welfare aspects of the newly found virus, highlighting that there are many uncertainties associated with it, such as ”how likely animals are to become immune to its clutches.” She said scientific knowledge of related viruses indicates that animals can develop strong immunity following exposure to the virus which will have an impact on the way the virus can spread.

“The virus, according to the report, is believed to be a part of the Simbu serogroup of viruses transmitted by midges and mosquitoes. It also identifies the possibility of direct animal-to-animal transmission and says that while unlikely it cannot be excluded at this stage. “

McGuinness says the report highlights that further data are needed to monitor the presence of this recently reported virus and provides technical specifications for such data collection in all Member States.

Based on the limited data available, the report provides epidemiological scenarios that could be observed in the coming months in Europe. The series of scenarios have been developed based on the belief that the transmission mode and the vectors transmitting the virus are similar to that of Bluetongue.

“ As with all new animal diseases there is a need for information and vigilence at farm level,” McGuinness added.

The EFSA will work with Member States to ensure that the epidemiological data collected in the coming months provide an overview of the situation in Europe. Throughout the organisation will regularly share reports on the status and analysis of the data collected.

Mairead with Castlecool Managing Director, Paul Shortt

7th February 2012

 When we choose a meal in a restaurant, we rarely think about how the food on our plate came to be there. So, it was very interesting to learn about the logistics of the food industry during a visit to an Irish company, Castlecool http://www.castlecool.ie/which provides an incredible yet almost invisible service (from a consumer perspective) to several layers of the food supply chain.

Castlecool is a national distribution and logistics specialist which recently expanded its Food and Business Park development at Lough Egish, Co Monaghan. Managing Director Paul Shortt gave me a tour of the facility last week and explained how his firm services the food industry in Ireland.

The company provides what it calls a full end-to-end solution for food and beverage companies, sourcing and delivering any food or ingredient required by restaurants, supermarkets, shops, food manufacturers and catering companies. The system is so advanced that a restaurant can fax a copy of ingredients for its menu to Castlecool and overnight the process of putting together the basket of ingredients is set in train with delivery the next day – to any of the top restaurants in Ireland.

Castlecool is an excellent example of the type of customer-driven, business focused innovative companies delivering specific services to the food supply chain.

The importance of food quality and health were reinforced last week when World Cancer Research Fund UK revealed worrying predictions for cancer rates across the EU.

The research group’s latest survey states new cancer cases in Ireland could increase by 72% by 2030, placing Ireland at the top of an EU league table for projected cancer increases. Cyprus ranked second with a projected 55% increase in cancer cases, followed by Luxembourg at 53% and Malta at 49%.

It was noted that cancer was primarily a disease of older people and the increase in Ireland is partly due to an ageing population as well as expected population growth.
The survey coincided with World Cancer Day on February 4th. It was a timely reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and being more physically active, factors which can help reduce our cancer risk.

The importance of a healthy lifestyle is something I am very conscious of as a member of the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, which regularly debates and amends EU health and food policy.

One of the most important issues currently being considered is the Gerbrandy Report. Addressing bio-diversity, its proposals are extreme in comparison to the remit of the Common Agricultural Policy and are particularly concerning from an Irish perspective. I will be monitoring this draft legislation closely. There is an attempt within the Environment Committee of parliament to move beyond the current CAP reform “greening” proposals. This would be very detrimental to achieving a positive outcome in the reforms.

In last week’s blog, I spoke about the importance of being responsible Europeans and meetings our obligations. Again the Greek government is under intense pressure to reach agreement on a new EU-IMF bailout.
Greek policy makers are certainly in a very difficult situation, trying to respect the fears of their citizens under pressure whilst taking responsibility for the severe debt crisis in the country.

Leadership qualities were on display on Saturday last when I had the honour of adjudicating the Drogheda Club of Soroptimist International’s Public Speaking Competition.

The women’s group developed the competition 30 years ago to encourage female students to debate topics which define the ethos of Soroptimism. The speeches centred on subjects close to my own heart: the EU, education, health, civil rights, the status of women, economic and social development and the environment.

I was very impressed with the public speaking skills of the young women and their ability to deliver ideas under pressure.

Well done to all.

31 January 2012.

I travelled to Riga early Monday morning and met with the Latvian Minister of Agriculture Mrs Laimdota Straujuma, the Agricultural Minister of Estonia Mr Helir-Valdor Seeder and the Agricultural Minister of Lithuania Mr Kazys Starkevičius.

My trip centered on the concerns of Latvian farmers about reform of the CAP – more on that on another occasion.

An estimated 500,000 women worldwide and some 1,500 Irish women have been affected by faulty breast implants. Safety fears emerged after several reported cases of these particular implants rupturing due to the use of non-medical grade silicon by the manufacturer, Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).

These women are understandably very anxious about their health.
Most have expressed a wish to have their implants removed or replaced. However, medical opinion on the need to remove these implants has caused much confusion. The substantial financial implications further surgery poses for those affected has contributed to an already difficult situation. The EU has a responsibility to ensure any affected citizens have resulting health fears adequately and fairly addressed.

As a member of the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, I was particularly shocked to learn that concerns over the safety of implants produced by these manufacturers were raised 11 years ago by US health officials who warned PIP that its products were “not in conformance with good manufacturing practice”.

The problem identified by the Food and Drug Administration inspectors over a decade ago related to saline breast implants – not the silicone implants at the centre of the latest health scare. However, both products were made at the same PIP plant inspected by the FDA.

The EU prides itself on traceability, safety and quality when it comes to food but this scandal has highlighted a very worrying lack of quality control in relation to medical prosthetics.

It seems the European Commission is likely to introduce a range of measures in the wake of this scandal, including a system of traceability – perhaps a unique identifier number for each individual product, unannounced inspections of manufacturers, retailers and users and a system whereby the authorising bodies in each Member State act uniformly.

Are these measures sufficiently robust to prevent a reoccurrence of the current scare? How do we help the women who are currently affected with redress?

This is a case of medical malpractice in its most serious form. Yet, the reaction and attention it has received or rather, the lack of – raises even more questions. If this scandal related to products used in heart valve surgeries for example, would we have witnessed a more urgent, helpful response?

There seems to be a taboo surrounding this issue because it relates to what is usually, but not always, a non-essential, elective or cosmetic procedure. But this is a medical procedure that is paid for and should be carried out with the highest concern for patient well-being.

International reflections

Last week, Taoiseach Enda Kenny addressed a group of financiers, economists and politicians at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The Taoiseach addressed the sometimes uncomfortable truth of the financial crisis: greed. Bankers and speculators generated a property bubble and unrealistic borrowing spiraled out of control. Of course, worldwide events also fuelled this fire.

Mr Kenny has also reiterated his belief that ordinary Irish citizens were not responsible for the crisis and recognised that many people neither benefited nor participated in the so-called ‘boom’ years.

However, it is important that we address what went wrong so that we can move forward and learn from past mistakes. In that regard, it was a timely and suitable venue for Mr Kenny to reflect on the crisis when speaking to some of the world’s leading economic experts.

Yesterday’s Council meeting resulted in agreement on the details of a new Fiscal Compact Treaty.

For Ireland, this treaty may require a referendum; we have to await the advice of the Attorney General. As others have said, if a referendum is required then it will be held and could provide the opportunity for people to ask questions and raise issues.  Read the  TREATY ON STABILITY, COORDINATION AND GOVERNANCE IN THE ECONOMIC AND MONETARY UNION 

Anther crucial European issue remains that of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy post 2013.

My Latvian visit followed an IFA-organised CAP meeting I attended in Cootehill, Co Cavan last week at which almost 300 local farmers turned out.

It was fantastic to see such a high level of interest in EU agricultural policy. The local IFA branch should be praised for their organisation of regular meetings which help farmers stay informed and engaged on these important issues.

The agreement aims to establish an international legal framework for targeting counterfeit goods, generic medicines and copyright infringement on the Internet and will help countries work together to tackle more effectively Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) infringements.

You can read more about ACTA, including “10 Myths about ACTA”, from the European Commission’s website by clicking here.