Gallery
Honeybee health and the challenges for the beekeeping sector
In response to the number of constituent queries I have received regarding the alternative motion for resolution on honeybee health, proposed by Jill Evans MEP from the Green group, I would like to clarify why I voted against it during the November Plenary session and in favour of the Tabajdi report as drafted.
We are all aware the honeybee population has seen a stark decline these past few years which subsequently could have a devastating effect on Europe’s ability to produce crops that require pollination. A number of factors have been attributed to this decline, and Welsh beekeepers, although they are increasing in number, are concerned about their bee population’s long-term survival. Such is the revival of beekeeping in the UK , however, even the London Stock Exchange now boasts beehives on its London city roof.
The Tabajdi own initiative report offers a balanced view of reasons for honeybee mortality, and rightly calls for more research funding to be made available from the FP8 programme to focus on bee disease prevention and to find possible solutions to their declining numbers. I therefore hope researchers look globally for case studies and do not begin from a prejudiced viewpoint with regards to certain pesticides and genetic technology. Independent research needs to be just that. Independent and without bias. Current evidence is not conclusive with regards to reasons for recent mortality.
Farmers Union of Wales visit to Brussels, Autumn 2011
Kay met with President Emyr Jones and his FUW executive in Brussels this week to discuss the needs of Wales' farmers ahead of the formal procedures for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which begins in the autumn.
Key issues will be to ensure a suitable transition period as CAP payments move from a historic bands to an area-based payment scheme; recognition of measures needed to retain young farmers in the industry; and of negotiating an appropriate balance between the "greening" requirements, that of conservation measures and food production.
Knowledge Innovation Technology Transfer (KITE) project, Autumn 2011
During a visit by Professor David Lloyd and his team at KITE to Brussels, Kay met with business owners who have benefitted directly from this EU funded project.
The food production sector is hugely important to the Welsh economy and a project such as this, which brings technical support to small and medium sized enterprises, enables them to bring new innovative products to the market. This project is a good example of EU funds reaching the private sector when they need assistance the most - generating growth in the Welsh economy – however we need to ensure that funding continues.
Elephant Sanctuary
During a recent private visit to Thailand, Kay visited and spent a day at an elephant sanctuary to learn more about these magnificent animals and to understand the conservation issues affecting the Asian elephant population.
US CRIS delegation
Kay took part in a visit to US regulators and legislators organised by the EU Special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis (CRIS). During her visit, she questioned the Federal Reserve on the banking sector and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on stability measures being taken within the EU. Discussions on various EU and US financial regulation were had with both the Members of Congress and the Senate.
New York Stock Exchange
Kay recently launched her report on market structure, "Trading in Financial Instruments", which looks into the important role that equity markets play in our economy in terms of economic growth and job creation and asks whether current structures are still conducive to their traditional, vital role.
Fundamentally that role is ensuring that capital markets allow the savings of investors to flow through to entrepreneurs and the small and large businesses that provide the backbone of our economy. When they cease to function, all economic growth is put at risk.
The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive - "MiFID" was probably the most influential piece of EU legislation in driving forwards a single market in financial services; particularly by opening up equity markets and abolishing national monopolies on trading European stocks. However, since the advent of a new competitive European market there has been an explosion in the use of technology which has easily out paced regulators and rules.
The evolution of enabling technologies has caused new trading strategies to emerge such as high frequency trading, sponsored access, co-location and algorithmic trading.
While there may be many benefits to these different strategies and services, it is important to gather as much data as possible to fully understand their effects on the market place and how they contribute to liquidity and market function.
Those that add to market efficiency and make it easier to finance companies should be encouraged and nurtured, but those that threaten the fairness and stability of the system need to be scrutinised and judged.
We are currently front running the European Commission's work in this area and setting the scene for the reviews of MiFID and the Market Abuse Directive "MAD" that will come early next year.
Latvia Group meeting
The ECR Group held a Group meeting in Riga in September where the key focus of debate was the economic crisis. Speakers included: Latvian Ministers, the Governor of the Bank of Latvia and distinguished business executives. Kay led a panel on the work of the European Parliament's special Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis. There was particular emphasis on the impact that the financial crisis has had on Latvia, one of the worst hit Member States due to the high level of private and public debt which has necessitated a 30% reduction in public salaries and major contraction in all public spending.
January - Farmers Union of Wales Breakfast
1,500 locations around the UK have played host to farmers’ breakfasts. We had the honour of hosting a delegation representing the Farmers Union of Wales at the European Parliament in Brussels . Ingredients were transported from Welsh producers including bacon, sausages and butter for a traditional breakfast served for MEPs, as well as Welsh yogurts and a selection of cheeses. It was a delightful start to the day and an excellent opportunity to promote Welsh produce and the local farming community. Diolch am ddod!
American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union
The Brussels office of AmCham organised a briefing to ensure companies operating in Europe are kept fully up-to-date on proposed EU legislation on derivatives. I was asked to join an expert panel to give the European Parliament’s view and was joined by Patrick Pearson of the European Commission, Roger Colgan of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Kurt Schaefer of Daimler AG and Richard Kaye of JP Morgan. We discussed the impact of proposals which will increase the use of standardised derivative products, to try and ensure that derivatives are either exchange traded or cleared in the future.
Given that most companies use derivatives to mitigate their business risk, including foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in the price of raw materials, I will now work with companies throughout Europe to ensure proposals treat these end-users of derivative products differently to financial speculators. If possible, I will work towards securing an end-user exemption, along the same lines as the US proposals, in order to ensure that our companies are not at a global disadvantage.
Higher Education in Wales
All four Welsh MEPs met representatives of the Higher Education sector in Wales to discuss current issues and challenges. Funding difficulties in core science subjects were highlighted as well as how to encourage more students to study science in schools and university.
The draft European Union 2020 Strategy, which focuses on growth and innovation for employment, led to useful discussions on how Wales might participate in this programme and access R&D funds in the future. As a science graduate, I found the discussions really helpful and hope we can work across political parties to support our excellent higher education providers throughout Wales .
Royal Mint
A January visit to the Royal Mint enabled me to be briefed on their current £20m investment programme and the imminent plans for a significant expansion in the workforce. In the future, when I get asked by my EU colleagues what products are made in Wales, I can now let them know that the coins in some 60 countries around the world are proudly made in Wales. Whatever the future ownership structure of the Royal Mint, I am sure that they will continue to be a valued local employer.
Dow Corning
At a recent visit to Dow Corning manufacturing plant in Barry, I met with Dr Peter Cartwright, Global Executive Director for Environment, Health & Safety, and the Chairperson of the Board of the European Silicone Industry, and David Ott, the Site Director to learn about the company’s operations. As part of the discussions, future plans for the plant and the European legislative programme were highlighted, especially in the field of Health & Safety and environmental issues. Given my interest in financial services, the company also commented on their procurement of energy and raw materials, and the impact that proposed EU legislation may have on their use of derivative contracts to manage business risk in their future cash flow.
Please click on the images below to see what Kay has been doing in the constituency and in the European Parliament.