The return of corporate welfare cheques to Europe’s fisheries

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Commissioner Vella’s last hurrah Commissioner Vella threw caution to the wind at likely his last fisheries Council. On 14 October, he seemed to express sympathy for calls for vessel scrapping at taxpayers expense for Baltic countries. “I stand ready to explore with the relevant Member States what possibilities exist under the existing EMFF provisions and … Read more

A sober analysis at fisheries

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  It is good to come across sober and informed public policy analysis. It is remarkable to come across it reading a report on fisheries and Brexit. The European Parliament has given the new fisheries committee a useful resource. You can read it here. IPOL_STU(2019)629202_EN The report provides a fact-filled analysis for the new MEPs for … Read more

Do the liberals divide on the environment?

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All European Political Parties are broad churches. Some are broader than others. An important part of a group’s influence is their loyalty to the group line when they vote. In the last Parliament, the Liberal GRoup ALDE, now Renew, on environmental issues were often divided. That division looks like it has returned. Renew is a … Read more

First Comitology Challenges Backed in the New EP

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On 10 October, the European Parliament backed the Environment Committee’s challenges to GMO and pesticides implementing acts. The pesticide challenge is a proxy indicator of Parliamentarian sentimenet on endocrine disruptors. The debate in the environment committee and the motion for a resolution make this clear. The backing for both challenges is substantial. It sets an … Read more