Dear Reader,
This month has been a busy one!
It was great to see so much support at our packed rally where we had speakers from the LD's European Group, business leaders, the European Movement and of course Tim Farron, who gave a really passionate speech on why the LD's will be there fighting a reasoned, passionate and clearly pro European campaign. The 380 seats weren’t enough and many people had to stand!
If you’ve not seen the video of supporters telling us why they want to stay IN – watch it here.
Liberal Democrat Conference
I’d like to thank everyone who joined us at the many fringe events at Conference and who came to my EU Referendum stall - it was wonderful to speak to so many of you, all so enthusiastic about the challenges ahead in the referendum.
I also spoke in many policy motions on the floor of the conference too, supporting amendments in the Trident motion, support to Creating Safe and Legal Routes for Refugees, and Urgent Action on Air Quality and Health as well as delivering my Parliamentary report where I took questions on my work on hunting trophies (see below for more on this), wildlife conservation, and the upcoming referendum – it was pleasing to be able to keep the many interested people up to date with my work.
Air Pollution
The stories dominating the news revealing Volkswagen’s shocking cheating behaviour in the US has put a necessary spotlight on public health - and now it is the public putting pressure on companies to conform to emissions standards.
Cecil & Trophy Hunting
I am devastated by the EU scientific committee decision to continue to allow the import of lion hunting trophies from Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique.
South East Wildlife Trust Visit
I visited Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust in the North of my constituency to see what membership to the EU meant for them.
I met Tim Read and Estelle Bailey at Finemere Wood in Buckinghamshire where we discussed bats and bees.
Chatting to CEO Estelle, it became clear that protection by EU legislation is key to supporting the efforts of the Wildlife Trust to make sure habitats are protected for generations to come.
Without the planning and development control at an EU level with the Birds and Habitats Directives, the damage wrought on our natural capital would be catastrophic. Watch the video here.
A Day Out in Kent
I was also lucky enough to spend an enjoyable day on the Kent Coast, meeting fishermen in Whitstable and small business owners in Sandwich.
Bringing back childhood memories of colourful beach huts and cockles by the seafront, I visited Whistable to meet the small-scale fishermen who were as much of the spirit of the seaside town as the Oysters they caught.
I was there to discuss with them how important the balance is, between securing fish populations for future generations, and limiting the impact of new restrictions on small fishing communities, where they have been fishing these shores for generations.
The EU sets fishing quotas based on scientific evidence of depleting fish stocks, but it is the British government who decide how these are allocated across the fishing industry. It is important that we have a fair allocation across our waters to protect our small-scale fishing fleets.
After this meeting I have written to Fisheries Minister, George Eustice to ask for a meeting to discuss fairer allocations of fishing quotas.
In the afternoon I met twenty or so business leaders operating out of the Discovery Business Park in Sandwich. It was good to see how innovative they had been in restoring employment to this park which had been badly affected when Phizer withdrew most of their activities on that park. I was delighted to hear about new (and quiet) designs for wind turbines, new ways to finance start up businesses and how firms working together can gain by sharing their expertise and resources.
It was striking to hear how worried they were about our potential exit of the EU, and how much they supported our membership. I will be working with businesses like these to highlight the concerns of business owners up and down the country as we campaign on the referendum.
Myth buster
Our Cornish Pasties are safe!
I think that Euromyth busting deserves a drink in celebration, maybe a glass of Scotch Whisky...
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Best Wishes,
Catherine Bearder MEP