Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-09-26-Speech-4-045"
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"en.20020926.2.4-045"2
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"Mr President, this report is on the face of it well-intentioned and recognises the need for ACP countries to export their goods. There are many fine phrases such as: 'worldwide inequality must be remedied'. But, as ever, it is all hot air and naïve idealism. In fact, what really strikes me here is the large element of sheer hypocrisy. Agricultural produce is a large element of ACP exports. Yet, despite all the fine words, the tariff regime makes the EU a difficult market-place, with 16% being a fairly typical entry price for ACP goods. It also means that consumers pay far too much for food here. Of course, the solution to all of this – real reform of the common agricultural policy – is nothing more than a mirage.
How can we even talk about partnership agreements with these countries, given the continuing scandal of the European Union fisheries deals? This Parliament continues to give its overwhelming endorsement to deals that involve huge sums of taxpayers' money going straight to corrupt African regimes: up to EUR 1.4 billion in the last few years alone, and little or none of it going to the local communities that need it. As a result of all of this, hundreds of indigenous black African fisherman are continuing to die. I have raised this point here before, and I am met with aggression from the Spanish and with indifference from Commissioner Fischler. To satisfy the greed of large companies in Europe, this place turns a blind eye to a humanitarian disaster.
I do not expect many people here to agree with my view about political integration in the European Union. On this one area of fisheries deals, please surprise me and let us see some reform and let us give these struggling African coastal communities some sort of chance. Since 1994 there has been repeated documentary evidence about all this and it is high time that something was done."@en1
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