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Strasbourg Diary by John Purvis MEP July
2004
BIG OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD
Having been re-elected, I feel very privileged
to be able to continue serving as one of Scotland’s
seven MEPs for the next five years. We have a
new Parliament, soon will have a new Commission
and we are committed to building the most dynamic
knowledge-based economy in the world. To get there,
however, Scotland must have more investment in
research and development and in its transport
infrastructure. It must also be able to benefit
from structural reforms to encourage enterprise
and innovation and thereby improve competitiveness.
We already have some advantages. For example,
a greater percentage of Scots achieve a higher
level of education than the rest of the UK and
than many areas of the EU. This benefits our ability
to be innovative and increase levels of research
and development. The single market in Europe,
particularly with the addition of ten new countries
this year, also offers great opportunities for
Scottish people to work and travel throughout
the EU. It also allows Scottish business to export
its products freely to a single market which now
constitutes 450 million people. What we need in
addition – and urgently - is a good mix
of public and private sector investment to improve
transport and communications infrastructure to
world class level. With this, and better use of
the basic advantages we already have in the field
of education and innovation, Scotland’s
economy and people could be reaping huge benefits.
SUNSET FOR RED TAPE?
One of the first things the European Parliament
needs to do in its new term is to look at how
over-regulation holds back business. An election
promise I gave was to help cut red tape in Europe
by 25%. A good place to start is with the Registration,
Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Regulation
(REACH). This will be particularly damaging to
small and medium sized enterprises in Scotland.
Some local companies have contacted me about this
proposed regulation which could cost them money
and jobs. They will require to register all chemical
and chemical-derived products that are manufactured
or imported annually in quantities of more than
one tonne. It is estimated this will affect some
30,000 products in the EU and add considerably
to costs, while possibly removing some items from
the market entirely. It will have a knock-on effect
on chemical products, from high to low tech. As
the proposals progress through the Parliamentary
system, I shall be keeping up the pressure with
my fellow MEPs - by arguing and voting in the
interests of already hard-pressed businesses throughout
Scotland. At the very least, we would hope a sunset
clause would be introduced in which the regulation
would expire within a certain time period to allow
further review.
PUNCHING IT HOME
The euro-election results were announced at the
Mercat Cross in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
As my name came up, I couldn’t resist punching
the sky with my right arm. My wife commented that
it wasn’t clear whom I resembled most -
Winston Churchill or Adolf Hitler!
John Purvis has served as a member
of the Committee on Industry, External Trade Research
and Energy and Vice Chairman of the Committee
on Economic and Monetary Affairs. He can be contacted
by e-mail at jpurvis@europarl.eu.int
or visit his website on www.scottishtorymeps.org.uk.
Press Contact: Frances Donald Tel 01592 643200
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