Tuesday 10th December – Major reforms aimed at rebuilding Europe’s depleted fish stocks were agreed by MEPs meeting in Strasbourg today.The new EU Common Fisheries Policy makes it a legal requirement to set quotas for fish catches with the aim of achieving maximum sustainable yields.It requires long term management plans to be prepared for every fishery, and devolves day to day decisions about fishing practice from Brussels to regional bodies. A ban on the discard of fish will be phased in from 2015, when fishermen will be legally obliged to land all the fish they catch. Catherine Bearder, a Liberal Democrat MEP and member of the cross-party ‘Fish for the Future’ group to campaign for reform, claimed the new policy demonstrated the importance of Britain playing a constructive role in Europe to achieve improvement.Catherine said: “For too long decisions were made about fishing policy that ignored scientific advice, with the result that Europe now has to import two thirds of the fish we eat.We have been in dire need of a long term solution to replenishing our seas so that our children can feed themselves in future. We have also seen our own food habits adapt as a result of campaigns such as the fish fight campaign. Now more Sardines, Pollock and Hake are being eaten at the dinner table as we move away from traditional choices such as cod. These changes are hugely important, and British ministers and MEPs can claim credit for the role they played in overcoming French and Spanish opposition to bring them about. The reform of the Common Fisheries Policy is a work in progress. There will be loopholes that must still be closed. But real progress is being made and this can already be seen in the recovery of cod and haddock stocks around our coasts.” (Catherine Bearder Press Release)

 

JEMIMA BLAND WELCOMES INVESTMENT IN WORTHING BY TOP GLOBAL COMPANY

Wednesday 11th December – Worthing’s GSK plant in Broadwater will benefit from a large new investment. More staff will be needed at the site as they take on manufacture of a popular antibiotic. This news comes as the government, and particularly Vince Cable at the Department for business, have been working hard to make sure the UK remains a desirable place to invest for companies in the field of research and development. GSK have praised the UK’s patenting laws and the value placed on protection of intellectual property as the major reason for their increased presence in the UK.
Jemima Bland, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for East Worthing and Shoreham, said today: “This is great news for Worthing. I am delighted to welcome increased investment by a FTSE 100 company to our internationally – well connected town! There is no doubt that if we were outside the EU, we would find it harder to attract this sort of investment. Following the success of Worthing’s Small Business Saturday last weekend, I’m doubly glad that big businesses are thriving in our part of the world, too.’’ (Jemima Bland Press Release)

EAST AND WEST WORTHING AND ADUR LIBERAL DEMOCRATS UNITE

Thursday12th December – East Worthing & Adur and West Worthing Liberal Democrat Local Parties agreed at a meeting tonight to become one named Adur & Worthing Liberal Democrat Local Party, The new local party comes into force on January 1st 2014. New Charirman is former Liberal Councillor John Lovell.

 

DIARY

 

Tuesday 17th December – WBC Full Council – Council Chamber, Town Hall at 6.00 pm