8th parliamentary term Siôn SIMON

Labour MEPs are strongly committed to the transition to a low-carbon economy that will save money for consumers through lower fuel costs; contribute to curbing climate warming and improve human health; and ensure EU and UK manufacturers lead the way in industrial and technological innovation.
Labour MEPs also backed social measures to make sure that no one is left behind during this transition. Targeted programmes at EU, national and regional levels for re-skilling of workers, as well as education and job-seeking initiatives in regions and communities most affected by the transition.
With time running out in the fight against climate change, this legislation can ensure investment in new, innovative developments in low-carbon technologies, which can foster economic growth, boost job creation, and improve citizens’ health and wellbeing.

More than 700 000 plastic bottles are littered in the UK every day, many of which end up in our oceans. New sources of plastic leakage, such as single-use plastic products and microplastics, are on the rise, posing new potential threats to animal and human health. Labour MEPs support efforts to reduce plastic waste and with legislation to reduce single-use plastics, the European Union will be the first in the world to adopt a blueprint to put an end to plastic litter, both on land and sea.
This is in stark contrast to the UK government, from whom we continue to see numerous consultations, but no concrete proposals on how it plans to reduce plastic waste. Unless the UK agrees to mirror EU action on plastics after Brexit, the Tories risks turning the UK into a dumping ground for cheap, non-recyclable, plastics.

For the S&D Group, the main objective is to ensure circulation of fertilising products in the internal market in a way that safeguards human, animal and plant health, protects the environment, and creates incentives for the reuse of materials that are currently being disposed of as waste, in line with the principles of the circular economy.
The outcome of the trilogue negotiations overall respects this position and represents a significant improvement in comparison to the current Fertilisers Regulation, but it is shameful that the Member States have nor prioritised the protection of human health and the environment, and that they have rather followed economic arguments in favour of the established fertiliser industry.