The duties represent the most significant EU anti-dumping response, with China exported solar panels and their components being worth around €21 billion to the EU. The EU responded to a complaint by an industry association called EU ProSun, which claimed that the solar panels from China were being ‘dumped’ (they were entering European markets at prices cheaper than their market value).

However, Mr Sturdy said that anti-dumping cases must always consider the wider interests of the EU, and in this case such duties will do far more harm than good, costing jobs, forcing up prices for consumers, running contrary to EU environmental policy, and damaging the trading relationship with China. He is calling on national governments to reject the proposal.

The trade spokesman for the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, said:

“This is a really dim idea from the European Commission. The commission has failed to take into account the much wider implications of these duties on companies that import and install solar panels, and their customers who will have to pay much more.

ENDS

Members of the Parliament’s International Trade Committee voted by 23 votes to five to offer full backing to the Council to start talks in June with the US over a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. They said the negotiating mandate should include public procurement and financial services, but an amendment was passed suggesting that the talks should exclude culture.

Mr Sturdy, Conservative MEP for the East of England, regretted attempts to introduce protectionist clauses to the committee resolution, but said the overall result was another hugely-encouraging step towards full-scale negotiations.

He said:  ”It has taken a long time to get to this stage and we should not be drawing red lines or ruling anything in or out – instead we should be wide open to discussion and negotiation.

“At last we have created a real political momentum and this is no time to thrown obstacles in the way. It is vital we keep that impetus going for the sake of growth and jobs.

“Sadly, we saw that a number of French MEPs were parachuted into the discussion and tried their hardest to introduce several clauses which were protectionist in character and entirely focused on French national interest. Fortunately their success was extremely limited and the real political will to get these talks going is what came through.”
end

Note to editors -

European parliament Press release:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20130422IPR07524/html/Trade-MEPs-urge-Council-to-launch-of-trade-and-investment-talks-with-US

This consultation seeks to get views on the principles on which such a service could be based; the conditions that would apply in order to use the superfast service; the details of how such a service should work in practice, including fees; and the usefulness of existing patent acceleration services.

It is calling on any interested parties such as patent applicants, patent owners, patent attorneys or anyone with a general interested in the patent application process to submit their comments.

Robert Sturdy, MEP for the East of England, stated: “This consultation will help cut red tape and end burdensome delays before they are even created in order to streamline this bureaucratic procedure and boost our economy. I hope that SMEs, entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes will share their perspective in this very important consultation.”

The consultation will run until June 12 2013 and is available here on the UK Intellectual Property Office’s website.

There are more details below, and only an Outline Application needs to be submitted by e-mail by the 23rd April 2013 at 5pm. Should you be interested to discuss your ideas and receive guidance, you should contact the European Regional Development Fund – East of England Department for Communities and Local Government. You can e-mail them a short summary of your idea or speak to their facilitator Michelle Burdett tel 0303 444 6411 or at Michelle.Burdett@communities.gsi.gov.uk. Applications that are not reviewed in draft well in advance are rarely successful.

Applications that are successful at this stage, and move quickly through subsequent stages, should expect to begin delivery at the earliest opportunity. Project delivery must be completed by 31st December 2014, with three further months to complete evaluation and final claims.

Following discussion with a facilitator, all completed project outline application forms should be sent to ee.erdfenquiries@communities.gsi.gov.uk no later than 5pm on the day of the deadline, to be followed by a printed signed copy within seven days.

In addition to the links to forms and guidance below, you can find examples of projects that have already been supported here: https://www.gov.uk/erdf-programmes-progress-and-achievements#case-studies
I hope these will inspire you to think of innovative new ideas that we not yet invested in.

Please see the calls for proposals webpage on the East of England site webpage:
https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-erdf-funding#applying-in-the-east-of-england

He said there was no justification for the proposed ban and he called on the Commission to take firm action against it.Moscow is planning to ban the import of seed potatoes and other plant products from June 1 on the basis of “a lack of information” regarding the phytosanitary conditions of potato cultivation in the EU.The EU exports 21,000 tonnes of seed potatoes annually to Russia, with about 5,000 tonnes coming from the United Kingdom

After raising the issue with the Director General, Mr Sturdy said: “The supposed grounds for this ban do not stand up to scrutiny. They are entirely unwarranted and what we are looking at is naked protectionism, pure and simple.

“The Russians must not be allowed to get away with it. As members of the World Trade Organisation they now have a duty to play by its rules. I shall be looking to the EU and Mr Demarty’s department at the Commission to apply the appropriate pressure to prevent this damaging ban going ahead.”

ENDS

A productive day was had by all. In the morning, informative presentations were given by representatives from Sri Lanka about the investment climate in the country as well as tips on incorporating and creating joint ventures in Sri Lanka. The afternoon gave Sri Lankan businesses the opportunity to learn about investing in Europe through presentations from the European Investment Bank and the European Commission. Most importantly, during breakout sessions business representatives were able to mingle and exchange key information and contacts.

There were many opportunities for both sides. The EU is Sri Lanka’s largest export destination, totalling 36% of Sri Lanka’s exports. Furthermore, the EU is Sri Lanka’s 3rd biggest import partner with 11% of imports coming from the EU.

Mr Robert Sturdy, Chair of the EUSLBC, said “I strongly believe that business to business groupings, such as this one, open markets and foster increased trade and investment, as they help to create lasting trading relationships. Private investment is a fundamental catalyst for growth.

Sri Lanka has overcome a difficult past to move forward and grow. It is becoming a hub for the transit of goods in South East Asia and a regional leader in terms of the ease of doing business.”

Last night, President Obama said: “I am announcing that we will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union – because trade that is free and fair across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs”.

His call follows strong support from EU leaders last week in their European Council conclusions.

The European Parliament backed a deal last October when it supported a call by Mr Sturdy to open negotiations in 2013, “to build on present political momentum and support from industry to enable a swift and successful conclusion to negotiations.”

This lunchtime, Presidents Obama, Barroso and Van Rompuy confirmed that following the publication of the High Level Working Group’s report, formal talks would now get underway. They said: “Through this negotiation, the United States and the European Union will have the opportunity not only to expand trade and investment across the Atlantic, but also to contribute to the development of global rules that can strengthen the multilateral trading system.”

The transatlantic commercial relationship is by far the largest in the world, with the European Union and the United States exceeding 3.22 trillion Euros in annual trade, investment and sales by foreign affiliates of companies of one another’s market, representing over 50% of global GDP. The removal of just 50% of the existing trade barriers between EU and US would lead to a 0.7% higher growth rate per year in the EU (US: +0.3%).

Mr Sturdy, Vice-President of the parliament’s international trade committee, said:

“With the right level of political will, a trade deal is possible. This agreement has moved from being an impossible dream to a potential reality in a matter of months. Now we must capitalise on the head of steam that has been created.

ENDS

For more information, go to: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=869

If the Member States of the EU agree with this discussion paper, then the Commission would like the ban in place by July and for it to be in effect for two years before a review. The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs after reviewing the evidence last year, rejected a ban on neonicotinoids. It stated that the evidence was not conclusive and that further research was required before changing any legislation.

A ban on these insecticides could reduce yields of some key crops by 20% and cost the EU economy up to €4.5 billion a year and 50,000 jobs lost in agriculture, according to a study by Humbolt Forum for Food and Agriculture.

Mr Robert Sturdy, member of the Agriculture Committee said: “This is knee-jerk reaction that will hurt farmers, especially in the Eastern Region where arable crops make an important contribution to the local environment and economy. The Commission itself states that the evidence has gaps and clearly more study is needed.

While I am a firm believer in the importance of bees, especially in agriculture, a balance must be struck between animal health, biodiversity and food production.”

ENDS

For further information contact: Robert Sturdy MEP – robert.sturdy@europarl.europa.eu

Tel: 01954 211790 or 0032 2284 7294 or visit: robertsturdymep.com

One of the key projects under consideration is improvement works at the Ipswich Chord. This project seeks to enhance the operation of freight trains in the region allowing goods to move more efficiently and quickly from the port of Ipswich to other parts of the UK. This upgraded rail freight link will significantly improve competitiveness, job creation and the economic development of the East of England, the UK and Europe.

In order to help the project receive funding, Mr. Sturdy, Conservative MEP for the East of England, signed a letter of support for the Ipswich Chord Project.  He said “It is important that EU money be reinvested back in the UK. This is an example of an important project that could use EU funding to increase capacity and to improve the flow of goods in the East of England.”

ENDS

For further information contact: Robert Sturdy MEP – robert.sturdy@europarl.europa.eu

Tel: 01954 211790 or 0032 2284 7294 or visit: robertsturdymep.com