New rules for oil and gas companies mean good news for developing world

AFrican oil rigEuropean oil, mining, gas and logging companies will have to disclose the payments they make to governments for access to natural resources, following a vote in the European Parliament today.

Speaking in Strasbourg, Labour MEP Glenis Wilmott said: “The new rules …

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Sunlight is the best disinfectant; transparency for governments and companies

file folder labeled "confidential" in filing cabinetNews of widespread state spying rightly makes us concerned.  Why are decisions about how much of our personal information governments see and store being made without our knowing?  Government policies on such important issues must be transparent.  But the problem …

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Company that invented Thalidomide should compensate survivors

GW seriousAn East Midlands MEP has written to the company that created Thalidomide, calling on them to finally compensate those who continue to suffer the consequences of the tragedy.

Thalidomide was manufactured and marketed by the German company Grünenthal and was …

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World No Tobacco Day 2013

cig 2Today is World No Tobacco Day – a World Health Organisation initiative that aims to raise awareness of the devastating health effects of tobacco use. 

The focus for 2013 is on advertising and promotion of tobacco products.  Globally, tobacco use …

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Labour MEP’s campaign to open up clinical trials takes giant step forward

antiCalls from medical researchers to make clinical trials less bureaucratic and more transparent came closer to reality today as legislation to simplify application procedures passed the first hurdle in the European Parliament.

The changes proposed by Labour MEP Glenis Willmott, …

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Further action needed on pesticides harmful to bees, says Labour MEP

honeybeeReacting to the European Food Safety Authority’s findings that the pesticide fipronil can pose a “high acute risk” to honeybees, Glenis Willmott, Labour’s Leader in Europe and spokesperson for Labour MEPs on food safety, called on the European Commission to …

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Action needed to make sure everyone pays their fair share

Glenis No Tax HavenMEPs voted this week in support of tough measures to tackle tax dodging, which is estimated to cost the EU economy €1 trillion every year. 

According to HMRC figures, the UK economy loses £9 billion a year due to …

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Labour MEPs welcome a victory for common sense over oil jug ban

olive oil jugLabour MEPs have welcomed moves by the European Commission to reverse a decision made to ban reusable and refillable olive oil containers in restaurants after EU ministers could not agree on the issue.

After pressure from Labour MEPs the European …

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Labour MEPs vote for EU wide domestic abuse protection orders

domestic abuseVictims of stalking, harassment or gender-based violence who are granted protection in one EU member state will get the same protection if they move to another EU country under new rules to be approved by Euro MPs in Strasbourg TODAY …

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Tobacco packaging should be in Queen’s speech, say Labour MEPs

cig 2Labour MEPs have criticised the government’s decision to remove new laws on standardised tobacco packaging from the Queen’s speech.

Glenis Willmott, Leader of Labour MEPs and spokesperson on health, said, “We have to call the government’s commitment to public health …

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