FUEL QUALITY

By

Debate: Tuesday

Vote: Tuesday

We know that current biofuels are very harmful and dangerous for the environment. Parliament went into negotiations with Council and Commission with a very strong document, but the final outcome is very disappointing - it is a huge defeat not only for the environment but also for the Parliament. On all the important issues the rapporteur simply surrendered Parliament’s position to the member states without a fight. Each and every one of our red lines was crossed. We lost the 6% cap on first generation biofuels and we cannot secure adequate support for the second and third generations of biofuels. The final text is basically just a slightly enhanced version of the previous directives from 2009.

MIGRATION CRISIS

By

Debate: Wednesday

Vote: Wednesday

The endless crimes being committed in the Mediterranean sea demand a joint effort to establish a regular and systemic European search and rescue operation and to create safe and legal routes for those escaping conflict and persecution. In order to abide by its own historical foundations, the EU has a duty to guarantee migrants the right to claim asylum and access international protection when they reach its borders.

MIGRATION CRISIS

By

Debate: Wednesday

Vote: Wednesday

With almost 2000 migrants dying in the Mediterranean in just one week, there is no need for any further proof that the EU’s policies on border control and so-called ‘migration management’ have failed completely. As a first emergency measure, both the EU and the member states must re-establish search and rescue immediately. If the EU is serious about ending the humanitarian catastrophe that has been going on for a decade there is no alternative but to create safe and easy ways to enter the EU, both for taking refuge and for work.

PLASTIC BAGS

By

Debate: Tuesday

Vote: Tuesday

This report is about limiting the production and trade of plastic bags for the obvious and well-known damaging effects they have on the environment. The European Parliament has found a common and shared position, while the Commission continues to pander to the will of lobbies. We will continue this struggle because the text to which we contributed as the GUE/NGL should be approved. Our aim is also to oppose the Commission’s view that we need more time to stop the production of plastic bags.

FORESTS

By

Debate: Monday

Vote: Tuesday

Forestry is an important sector of the economy. It is also a key sector for the sustainability of our planet. In this sense, it cannot just be left to market mechanisms. This proposal contains positive elements, but it is mainly based on market-oriented solutions and does not guarantee public intervention to safeguard the forest as a public good. Thus, we fear that the monoculture of fast-growing species can override the sustainable forest and put biodiversity at risk.

MONEY MARKET FUNDS

By Martin Schirdewan

Debate: Tuesday

Vote: Wednesday

Money market funds (MMF) are part of shadow banking. Constant net asset value (CNAV)-MMF, that guarantees a fixed value of investments, may trigger a banking crisis. The Commission proposal was ambitious but weakened in committee. We will table amendments in plenary to phase out CNAV-MMF and to ban MMF operating out of tax havens.