Robert Sturdy is fully supporting a World Horse Welfare initiative that wants to end the cruel long distance transport to slaughter of Europe’s most vulnerable horses.

Mr Sturdy, along with fellow Conservative MEPs, has signed a written declaration in the European Parliament calling for an urgent review of EU legislation governing the welfare of animals during transport to slaughter. A Written Declaration is similar to a House of Commons Early Day Motion. However, if over half of the Members of the European Parliament sign up to it, it will become a formal resolution of the parliament – possibly resulting in the European Commission coming forward with legislative proposals

Currently some 100,000 horses a year are being transported across Europe to slaughter without rest, food or water. These journeys are inhumane and totally unnecessary.

Latest figures estimate that 100,000 horses are transported in atrocious conditions across Europe to slaughter. Imagine a 12 hour journey from Bulgaria or Romania to Italy often without rest, water or food in the stifling heat.  Journeys such as these are inhumane and can lead to exhaustion, injury, pain suffering and stress.

Mr Sturdy said:

“Most of these journeys are completely unnecessary as slaughter facilities exist across Europe, so why are these horses being moved around like this? Within the UK, transporting a horse in a way that is detrimental to its welfare is a breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.  The Act states that a person commits an offence if they are responsible for an animal, either permanently or temporarily and cause the animal to suffer,  or fail to ensure its need are met.

“I have given my support to urgently review and change this legislation to make these loopholes a thing of the past.”

Dear Robert,

Thank you for your letter of 9 October regarding the A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton improvement scheme.

I accept that the revised timetable is disappointing – to open the new strategic route to traffic in winter 2015/16, with the remaining works anticipated to complete by the end of 2016, but can assure you that the Highways Agency is continuing to work to a very challenging timescale.

As  you appreciate, this is a large and complex scheme. There are a wide range of issues being raised by stakeholders and the public as we move through the statutory process. These are likely to lead to a Public Inquiry in the summer of  next year. With this in mind, the Highways Agency revised its timetable for delivery, enabling them to carry out further work to assess future traffic flows, to give the public the maximum permitted time to consider the complex and detailed plans that have been published, and to allow additional time to respond to objections and prepare for a Public Inquiry.

These steps have  been taken in the interests of delivering the scheme as quickly as possibly. Clearly, the statutory process will run its own course, but the steps that have been taken are focused on ensuring this process runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. And I can assure you that we are doing everything we can to deliver this important scheme in the most expedient way.

Best wishes,

Chris Mole

Pic: Courtesy of Cambridge Evening News

Eastern Region MEP Robert Sturdy has objected to European Commission plans which would abolish consumers’ rights to a refund for faulty goods, bringing legislation in line with other EU countries.

The EU’s Consumer Rights Directive could ban shops giving refunds in the UK in an attempt to harmonise consumer protection and reduce some of the obstacles and uncertainties facing consumers when purchasing from abroad. The legislation would also cover goods bought over the phone or the internet.

Instead of money-back guarantees, the directive would allow traders to offer only the repair or replacement of faulty goods.

Mr Sturdy said:

“I am totally opposed to these plans which water down the rights of British consumers who need full protection against shoddy goods, including the right of a full refund. While this directive is intended to increase the rights of consumers so they have greater confidence when buying products from abroad, it must not reduce their rights at home.

“I am hoping that when the new Commission is in place, this nonsense will get swept under the carpet and forgotten about. It’s another example of bureaucratic meddling which we must protest against rather than allowing the Commission to interfere with how we live our lives in the UK.”

Ends

In an article she wrote here, Katy stated that I had given the Commission “rather a hard time”  about the need to prioritise domestic food sovereignty.

Of course I did, and will continue to give the Commission a hard time if I do not believe they are working effectively and in the best interests of my constituents.

“I always like as many people as possible to visit Brussels because it gives them a much better understanding of what really happens there. I very much enjoyed speaking to members and will give them a warm welcome if they take me up on my suggestion.”

Organiser Zena Steward said: “Everybody enjoyed Robert’s talk. We found it very enlightening. It was a pleasure to have him join us for supper.”

Euro-MP Robert Sturdy hosted the launch of a colorectal cancer campaign in the European Parliament this week to help save lives across the European Union.

This is the second year Mr Sturdy has supported europacolon, a charity which is strongly urging all 27 member states to fully implement EU recommendations for colorectal cancer screening.

Europacolon is hoping to gain the support of 1.5 million people across Europe by signing an online pledge in support of their Manifesto for Life, which is aimed at key EU policymakers.

Mr Sturdy said this was a deadly disease which was highly treatable if diagnosed early, but people thought would never happen to them, and rarely talked about it because of the delicate area of the body involved. But he said it was crucial to raise awareness and help people understand it.

“I would like to congratulate everyone at europacolon on this important work so far which has been a great achievement and I hope we can continue to help you in the European Parliament. This should not be a taboo subject.”

Jola Gore-Booth, founder of europacolon, said colorectal cancer was the second highest cause of cancer deaths in Europe and it was crucial that all member states implemented a screening programme. To date, only 12 EU member states comply with this, including the UK.

She said: “I would like to thank Mr Sturdy for hosting our launch today because his continued support is invaluable in raising the profile about this deadly and treatable disease across Europe. We look forward to returning here next year with a new inflatable colon to make our campaign eye catching and unforgettable.”

The campaign was launched in the European Parliament in Brussels in 17 March. More than 412,000 European citizens are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year. In 2003, the European Code Against Cancer and the EU Council developed recommendations which said that men and women over 50 years should have a colorectal cancer screening. It is estimated that up to 50% of colorectal cancer deaths could be reduced by 2020 if positive active is taken now.

*A video showing the launch of the campaign can be seen here:

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Pic caption: From left to right:

Hedwig Neesen,  Colorectal cancer survivor and europacolon Belgium member;

Vitor Neves. Manager, europacolon, from Portugal;

Alojz Peterle, MEP Slovenia;

Jola Gore-Booth, europacolon Founder/Director;

Robert Sturdy MEP;

Frieda Brepoels, MEP Belgium;

Eric Van Cutsem, Professor of Internal Medicine University of Leaven, Belgium, and Medical Director of europacolon.

Notes to Editors:

Robert Sturdy MEP is available for interview on 0032 2284 7294 or through Press Officer Ellee Seymour on 01353 648564 or 07939 811961.

1. Further information and the online pledge can be found at www.europacolon.com and from Julia Kennedy, Director of Operations, on 07766 084256.