Conservative and Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson told the European Commission last night in the European Parliament in Strasbourg that when it comes to imports of meat from third countries outside the EU that MEPs and not just Commission officials must be satisfied in every way that the standard of meat coming into Europe is produced to the same high standards as European farmers adhere to.
Mr Nicholson criticised the Socialist and Liberal Groups in The European Parliament for failing to sign up to a resolution, which would have outlined the situation regarding Brazilian beef.
Mr Nicholson commented further, the political groups drafted a resolution which comprehensively outlined the situation regarding Brazilian beef but unfortunately it seems that our colleagues in ALDE and the Socialist group bowed to the pressure placed upon them by the Brazilian ambassador, who last week bullied them into withdrawing their support for the resolution. I would like to know why some of my colleagues seem to be more concerned with the demands of Brazilian officials rather than those of the citizens they represent.
During the course of Mr Nicholsons remarks he said this,
The first thing I want to make clear here tonight madam President this is not about third country imports, this is about Brazilian beef coming into Europe. I am saddened that I stand here tonight without a resolution. I understand that some of the big groups in this Parliament were not prepared to stand up to the Brazilian ambassador who lobbied last week in Brussels.
I want to make it very clear the Brazilian Ambassador didnt lobby me. Maybe he thought I was too hard a nut to crack.
The Commission are going to have satisfy MEPs in every way that the standard of meat coming into Europe is of the same standard as we produce. We wont accept second best anymore and cant accept this on behalf of producers across Europe.
Mr Nicholson concluded, "It is not acceptable that we are allowing meat into the EU which does not comply with the standards we impose upon our own producers. Despite what the Commission claim, I am not convinced that producers in Brazil are comprehensively satisfying the demands required of them. I am, of course, concerned about the impact imported meat has on farmers in the EU but this issue is also very much about consumers and our obligationsin terms of protecting them against substandard produce.