kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
it is part of a long term plan to create and empower that demand.
mr president in these difficult economic times the eu should make it easier for companies to do business.
as a former businesswoman i know it is natural for companies and firms to want to cut their costs.
however it is also important that companies do not dodge their obligation to pay social security.
my constituency of london is the top destination for international investment in the european union.
when companies like microsoft or sony invest in london it stands to reason that these companies should pay into the british social security system.
unfortunately a loophole has allowed airlines and their employees to avoid making social security payments in their country of operation.
this report puts an end to so called social dumping' by obliging employers and employees to pay social security in their home base.
i congratulate the rapporteur on this report and on closing a loophole which had been depriving member states' social security systems of much needed revenue.
at the planned summit on uk steel government industry and all stakeholders must come together and find a sustainable viable future for this vital sector rather than issuing meaningless platitudes.
labour meps believe the time has come for the european union to come together to deal with the global challenge of chinese steel dumping and the time has come for the european union to update the rules on state aid for a now globalised world.
importantly russia openly refuses support for any refugees from the middle east. all this demonstrates that president putin is not interested in finding a political solution to the syrian crisis.
not only do the airstrikes not improve the situation in syria but they make it even worse causing numerous civilian casualties and increasing the number of syrian refugees seeking protection in europe.
has the commission looked at the possibility that these rules could violate the treaties?
this test means that if one member state believes that the principal purposes of various transactions of a particular company were to obtain tax treaty benefits then they could deny those benefits. therefore you could have a situation between member states this is in terms of tax treaties where for example germany could have different arrangements with companies in the uk than they might have in ireland.
my question is how does this sit with freedom of establishment which is one of the basic freedoms in the treaty?
however i wish to highlight something called the principal purposes test' which is in action six of beps.
three seven billion and this is being used to keep competition at bay.
mr president currently talks are ongoing to resolve serious problems with devolved government in northern ireland.
we want to see progress made in the talks towards ending all paramilitary activity in northern ireland. these groups should never have existed and we must see their grip on communities finally ended.
this murder took place at a time of great financial uncertainty facing northern ireland.
on that basis i do not support the capping of payments to large farms.
most people in the face of rising food prices sharply rising food prices and dire warnings about lack of supply will be expecting to see a cap which focuses clearly on increasing productivity and efficiency.
we are talking about moving away from the real focus which is efficiency.
however i would have to add that i do not want to see the support for greening in pillar one imposing further burdens and costs on our farmers.
we should not be doing anything to hamper the food production base that we already have.
i welcome the clear support for the two pillar structure and i also welcome today's affirmation from the commissioner of his support for that as well.
i would argue that the new cap should aid this and keep that production within europe.
for that reason i would like to see flexibility at national and regional level given the wide diversity of farm structures and land bases across the eu.
mr president i would like to thank mr dess for a comprehensive report. like other speakers i would like to emphasise the importance of an adequate budget for the new cap. i believe that it is hugely important to base our budget on the arguments around food security.
we must have a cap that is properly funded and properly ambitious for our farmers and our citizens.
like other colleagues i wish to express my own concern not least at today's rumours that president barroso is looking to make swingeing cuts to the budget and pillar two in particular.
commissioner you are going to need all the allies you can get in these discussions within the commission and with the member states.
european agriculture has a great story to tell.
what do we think of the dess report? well it is a bit like the legendary curate's egg. parts of it are good. the idea of making direct payments conditional upon cross compliance with environmental protection and landscape management is potentially beneficial but only as long as they are not tied to the semi religious precepts of climate change and social diversity nonsense. the report recognises that the agricultural sector must continue to
madam president parliament's demand to maintain if not increase the agricultural budget is in my view highly optimistic. these are tough times and budgets are not limitless.
in my view these proposals will need a reality check when the overall eu budget is determined some time next year.
we have to get back to the real priorities of the common agricultural policy.
food security food safety biodiversity climate change new technologies and creating a viable competitive market led industry have to be the focus.
in my view the commission's proposals have lost the direction which we had from the previous two reports.
they lack focus and they are too complicated.
proper inspection and enforcement of greening measures will also be impossible.
to be effective the capping of single farm payments will need to be severe.
this will immediately motivate farmers to formally split their businesses with their spouses so that the full payment is retained on both divisions.
added to that i am informed that the savings made from capping will accrue to the eu and not the member state that actually generated the savings.
the suggestion that no single farm payment can be received by farmers who cultivate these crops is utterly nonsensical.
we should be encouraging the uptake of new farming technology and not vilifying it.
i believe however that it falls short in one important area in that it fails to answer the fundamental question asked by our taxpayers and our consumers who pay for the common agricultural policy what are the direct decoupled payments for? that is a fundamental question that we all need to face up to. there is no longer any linkage with food production because they are decoupled. there is a link to public goods through cross compliance but i do not think this fundamentally answers that question.
if we move down that road i believe it gives us the ability to respond to that question and explain to the public exactly what direct payments are for. it also negates the call for caps and ceilings to be put on aids because if there are public goods attached to the direct payments across all the direct payments then the bigger the farmer the
i hope we can improve the report tomorrow.
he certainly proved during the time that negotiations were going on that he had a very big back indeed because there were a lot of people throwing knives at him during that period.
the first thing i want to do is to welcome the fact that it is going to be a pillar two structure because i think that is what we are all agreed on.
what are we doing to achieve food security?
this could easily be avoided by a much simpler approach mutual recognition.
british german and romanian people do not have different bodies from one another physiologically they are the same.
the single market for food should not be hampered by unjustified or protectionist measures.
enforcing respect of mutual recognition meaning that goods lawfully marketed in one member state enjoy the right to free movement and can be sold in another member state ensures the smooth functioning of the single market for goods including food.
as announced in the single market strategy the commission intends to revise the mutual recognition regulation in.
the commission also stands ready to investigate under competition rules any agreements between operators that would lead to discrimination against imports from other member states.
to conclude let me say that that the efficient monitoring of the application of eu law is an important part of the commission's better regulation agenda.
two thousand and seventeen it will also adopt an action plan on mutual recognition.
the commission is committed to taking action against the violation of european law.
finally to tackle the issue of national technical regulations used as straightforward barriers the commission is committed to boosting the application of the mutual recognition principle still not used to its full potential.
mr president honourable members i thank you very much for your very clear and very constructive comments. this is a really highly important issue and i hope you understand that it is important for the commission as well.
if together we get the policy right as we intend to do by enforcing the respect of mutual recognition it will help us reinforce our single market for food and that will mean more investment more jobs and of course more growth.
let me repeat the commission will revise the mutual recognition regulation to make it function better.
the food safety rules are in place and function well.
such regulations should be tackled quickly ideally through bilateral discussions with the member states that have adopted these regulations and hear me clearly if necessary through formal infringement procedures.
i count on your continued support to tackle the challenges ahead together.
finally bangladesh will start developing a national law on ship breaking in line with the basel convention.
as they have not been authorised by the ministry of the environment.
by changing flag.
this presents to human health and the environment.
the progress in the development of these guidelines is so far very encouraging.
we need to safeguard the existing requirements in terms of workers' rights and environmental protection when transposing the imo convention. and in our study we will therefore carefully compare the requirements of the imo convention with our community acquis.
and regarding your second question i am pleased to confirm that the commission is fully committed to working towards an effective and early transposition of the ship recycling convention into eu legislation.
i believe that it is extremely important for the european union to show leadership and the high priority that we attach to this issue. this will encourage the ratification by third countries and consequently speed up the entry into force of this convention.
it is very doubtful in any case that the traditional beaching method would be able to comply with the forthcoming guidelines.
the environment dg has already launched several studies and is working on assessing the impacts of the key elements of the convention.
we believe it will be more effective to put our efforts into ensuring that the technical guidelines currently being developed to support the future imo convention really do lead to safe and environmentally sound ship recycling.
but i share the concerns highlighted in your third question regarding the importance of not undermining the existing community acquis.
now let me turn to the situation closer to home by answering your questions. your first question concerns the phasing out of the beaching method the method of dismantling end of life vessels directly on the beach. i share your concerns about the serious risks
we considered the question of introducing an eu ban on beaching in the impact assessment of our strategy. there were some concerns regarding the effectiveness of any such ban since it would be only applicable to eu flagged ships and could be easily and legally circumvented
this is a very good starting point for further action at eu level to ensure that the european union plays its part in solving this international problem. these questions are also timely in the light of the recent ruling of the bangladeshi high court that you have just mentioned and the situation in that country. as a consequence of this ruling all ship recycling yards will be closed within two weeks
it is bringing jobs it is bringing economic growth we have heard it is bringing prosperity and all with no visible negatives.
i think the example of nafta illustrates that point.
a joint struggle across the atlantic by working people is needed to stop this attempted race to the bottom in the atlantic.
i do not believe that these promises are going to be delivered on.
instead what we are going to see with this process of secret negotiations without real public scrutiny without real political scrutiny is an attempt to converge labour environmental and social standards downwards for example with an attempt by us agri business to get access to the eu market for gmos.
it is one shaped by the interests of big business rather than working people on either side of the atlantic.
i think it was also a sign of the very high priority which the irish presidency attaches to this issue.
i am grateful to parliament for your continuing support for the development of eu us trade relations and very thankful to professor vital moreira in particular for his personal commitment to this very important project for our citizens.
the transatlantic trade relationship is vital to europe's prosperity.
obviously some detailed work is required not least given the extensive range of interests and issues which this touches on.
we were very pleased that the ministers were joined on that occasion by both mr vital moreira chair of your international trade committee and mike froman former us deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs.
this is why the conclusion reached earlier this year with the us on the mutual benefits of a comprehensive trade agreement and the subsequent presentation by the commission to the council of a draft negotiating mandate is very welcome.
an ambitious trade agenda covering trade in goods and services and investment is a key element in delivering growth and employment.
presidency is absolutely committed to reaching a rapid outcome within the council on a decision authorising the opening of negotiations and on a mandate to the commission.
and job creation is not simply a measure of economic success although that is of course important;
we achieve this through discussions within the framework of the world trade organization as well as through bilateral and regional trade negotiations.
we take the view that we must capitalise on what we have already achieved and further exploit the existing potential of the transatlantic economic and business relationship.
this would send a strong signal that even at a time of serious economic difficulty both our economies are prepared to extend and open markets rather than protect them.
the commission's proposal for a mandate for a transatlantic trade and investment partnership is being discussed in the council.
negotiations on a transatlantic trade and investment partnership would complement multilateral negotiations in particular on those issues falling outside the remit of the doha development agenda the.
it is also about restoring purpose and dignity to those in our society who want to work but cannot find a job.
the overall objective of the eu's common trade policy is to promote open honest trade based on effective international regulations which are beneficial to the eu and to the entire international community.
this will continue to be the top priority of the irish presidency.
on seventeen april two thousand and thirteen minister richard bruton organised an informal meeting of trade ministers which focused on the eu us transatlantic trade and investment partnership.
a free trade agreement with the us will boost trade open up markets for european exporters help create jobs and stimulate competitiveness.
the impact assessment report prepared by the commission on the transatlantic trade and investment partnership estimates that the agreement once fully implemented would boost the eu economy by about.
that meeting was extremely useful in helping us to focus on how we take the process forward and in encouraging a strong shared sense of commitment to reaching a rapid outcome.
we pay close attention to your views on this issue and share the emphasis which you have put on the need to strengthen and deepen the eu us economic relationship.
some eur two billion is traded in goods and services every day and this trade is responsible for approximately fifteen million jobs.
our aim is to reach agreement on the mandate on fourteen june at the foreign affairs council which will be dedicated to trade issues.
the potential of such an agreement was recognised by the european council in february in particular regarding the contribution that such an agreement can make to our common goal of achieving growth and job creation in the union.
i have been listening to the many views that have been expressed and we will continue to listen as this process moves forward towards agreeing a mandate for the commission to open negotiations.
investment partnership.
it will be up to the commissioner to update you as members of the european parliament on the negotiations as they progress and i welcome the positive experience to date which mr moreira and others in the committee have mentioned in terms of the positive open and transparent relationship that exists between parliament and the commission when it comes
so we need to seize that opportunity right now and that is why the irish presidency is devoting so much time and effort and we will continue to devote all of our effort to ensuring that we achieve our goal of agreeing a mandate at the trade council in june and that negotiations on this crucial partnership can move forward.
but the potential gains in both jobs and economic activity are far too attractive particularly at this time of economic challenge not to make it a success.
i consider this to be a historic opportunity and without doubt one that we should take full advantage of.
of course there will be discussions on hormone beef but the result of the negotiation will not be that it will be possible to import hormone beef into the european market because we have to negotiate within the framework of the existing legislation.
but on the other hand this is a sector where you see things changing in an ever more rapid way.
you need to negotiate on the basis of a mandate and then of course you have to demonstrate that you have been following your mandate.
we will have to make concessions in the course of these negotiations. but you need a certain degree of confidentiality in negotiations.
if not you cannot negotiate.
there will be discussions on gmos but the results of the negotiation will not be that any gmo can be imported.
i explained them very clearly in my introduction.
that is also very difficult to deny.
i think we all agree that these negotiations will be a unique opportunity to make a difference.
the commission is fully committed to defending this policy in the ttip negotiations.
this negotiation is too big to fail and we all have enough things on the table to benefit from it.
continued political focus on delivering results across all areas is the single most useful recipe for success.
the eu and the member states will need policy space to do this.
having red lines does not mean taking entire areas off the table before negotiations have even started.
if we add to this the fact that safety health and environmental standards will under no circumstances be lowered we should have what it takes to convince those who may still have doubts.
it is constructive and i see it as firm support towards launching negotiations along the lines of the high level working group report.
the commission broadly welcomes the draft resolution that you have prepared in the context of the mandate discussions.
our objective for the negotiating directives is to have a broad text that gives us the necessary negotiating flexibility.
to preparations for negotiations of a transatlantic trade and investment partnership.
but let me be clear this does not mean that there will be no red lines during negotiations.
we will reserve the necessary policy space to regulate at the eu level in order to adapt our policies to technological evolutions in the audiovisual sector.
we believe that a full scale exclusion of audiovisual services from eu commitments in the ttip negotiations is neither necessary nor justified.
this deal could create a tremendous impact on jobs and growth on both sides of the atlantic without costing a cent of taxpayers' money which is something to highlight in more critical constituencies.
now that the process towards launching negotiations is under way both in the us and on our side what we need above all is strong and continued political will from us all.
the eu and the member states will retain the policy space to promote cultural diversity for example through subsidies tax incentives etc. this will of course also include the development of new instruments to finance cultural works. this applies in particular to cinema and public broadcasting. secondly no one will touch the existing quotas or the necessary policy space to adjust our policy in view of the technological change;
let me insist that we need to see the broader picture.
mr president despite the enormous economic and financial crisis and all its problems in the past years the european union and the united states of america are two global actors.
it goes without saying that this is a very historic moment for both the eu and the us.
with mutual respect for the red lines we can look forward to the different steps in order to make it a win win situation for both sides.
there is a chance for the agreement to improve the individual situation of our citizens on both continents.
mr president i would like to remind the commission about the acta agreement that this parliament rejected less than one year ago.
it makes me very disappointed that the commission is setting itself up for exactly the same kind of failure once again.
the positive thing about the whole acta affair was that there are now hundreds of thousands of european citizens who have at least once been demonstrating on the streets of various european cities against the trade agreement.
this is a very positive thing but by insisting on the same kind of secrecy only handing out secret documents to the members of the inta committee the commission is setting itself up for the same kind of failure.
i would urge you to re think this and become transparent.
this is a real opportunity i totally agree with you.
i was involved in the uruguay round and i remember well that they were not interested in dealing just with the united kingdom.
they wanted to deal with the european union and therefore yes i agree with you.
besides the opportunity to create jobs and economic growth and all this without governments needing to invest the scope is wide and ambitious in an unprecedented way.
the road ahead will be long and rocky but the goals of setting common standards and boosting competitiveness together in a rapidly changing world are persuasive.
the liberal group supports a green light to start negotiations on a comprehensive agreement.
but let there be no confusion.
this parliament has a key role to play and we expect to be closely involved to represent all interests those of consumers citizens small and medium sized enterprises businesses and civil society.
the transatlantic trade and investment partnership should lead to a win win situation to fewer bureaucratic burdens and to high standards of fundamental rights environmental standards and consumer protection.
this should be an agreement for and by people and macroeconomic figures alone are not enough to gather political support. we and you commissioner must do all you can to gain trust in the process.