Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-12-17-Speech-2-030"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20021217.1.2-030"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, as someone who was at the forefront in instigating the setting up of this committee, I would personally like to thank President Cox for his invaluable help and all those Members who have made this report and this committee such a resounding success. I would particularly like to thank Mr Kreissl-Dörfler for his unstinting work, his readiness to listen and his even-handed approach.
The visits to the UK and the Netherlands allowed us to listen to everyone who was affected. I believe that the European Parliament has delivered what my own parliament in Westminster would not. What we have in this document is a fair and balanced report on the terrible devastation and suffering the disease brought to my country. Let us not forget that foot and mouth disease is no respecter of borders. This blight could have appeared in any European country and could still hit at any time in the future.
Looking at the situation in the UK, the British Government quite simply got it wrong. Mr Adam may try and blame everything on the farmers as usual – and he talked much about the farmers getting it wrong – but what about the government getting it wrong? There is no denying that mistakes have been made. That could be accepted by British farmers – we all make mistakes. What is not acceptable is that this government still refuses to accept they got it wrong and still refuses to apologise to those who suffered. Look at Mr Adam's amendments and look at the latest British Government briefing – they have learnt nothing!
This disease did not just affect farmers, it affected hotels and tourism; it affected butchers and traders across Europe. We must not allow this terrible slaughter of 10 million animals to happen again.
I am pleased that this report contains a sensible and workable approach to vaccination in the future. Our visit to the Netherlands demonstrated the great benefits of emergency vaccination. This would remove the necessity for the huge funeral pyres and burial pits that were hallmarks of the British Government's handling of the outbreak. Those unforgettable pictures must stand as a lasting reminder of what could happen again if we do not learn the lessons of this most terrible disease.
I am pleased that this report sets out plans for the future. It is vital that we have a workable and effective contingency plan in place. This report goes a long way to developing a positive approach for the whole of Europe. The European Commission has worked hand in hand with the committee, and it is no coincidence that tomorrow it will come forward with its proposals for the future. I commend Commissioner Byrne's team for their work.
I would make one final plea to the British Government: please listen and accept this report so we can plan for the future. The suffering caused last year by foot and mouth disease was simply unacceptable and it must never be allowed to happen again.
I hope you will all support this report and the measures contained within it. Europe's farmers and Europe's rural communities deserve to know that they are valued. They deserve to know that Europe's politicians are prepared. I hope that you will give this your support today."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples