It is a little known fact that there are more universities, businesses and other organisations participating in European programs for research and development from the UK than from any other country.
It is also a vast amount of public money – the EU budget for Framework 7 which runs from 2007 to 2013 is €51 billion. Indeed, the amount of money spent in the UK on R&D from EU budgets is roughly equal to the entire amount of support given domestically through R&D tax credits.
The European system of Framework Grants has a reputation for being the most bureaucratic and complex system in the world. Nevertheless, supporting research and development is vital for innovation and fundamental to future economic growth.
In light of this I have volunteered to be one of a small group of MEPs, and the only UK member, on a working group looking at simplification of framework grants and future strategy.
I would be interested the experiences and opinions of readers who have been involved in Framework funding projects in the past. Please email comments to office@vickyford.org.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
What is wrong with a GM potato?
It's been just a bit busy recently in Brussels ... and there are a back log of more complex questions I would like to ask the blogging community - but please tell me just what is wrong with the GM potato trial I saw near Norwich earlier this month....
A wild South American blight resistant mini potato has been crossed into a common supermarket "Desire".
1. Potato blight devastates crops - think back on Irish history
2. Farmers have to spray fields with chemicals up to 15 times a season to cope with potato blight.
3. Potatoes are grown from tubers i.e. from last season's potatoes ... not from seed. Bees are not interested in potato flowers so the risk of cross pollination to "traditional" crops is negligible.
4. This scientific trial is not funded by a large industrial oligopoly but, as far as I can see by scientists and philanthropists genuinely interested in how we meet the food needs of the world's growing population
5. This particular trial is not a fly by night experiment - its taken years of science to get to the planting trial stage - but still many more years before deciding if this is scientifically acceptable, let alone a marketable crop.
It is time that an intelligent crop-by-crop approach is taken to the issue of GM foods. Those with a longer history tell me that the EU has sat on the fence regarding individual GM crops for 15 years. This week the European Authorities slowing began to agree that decisions on individual crops should be taken by National Governments and not at an EU level.
So for the record I would eat this potato....
A wild South American blight resistant mini potato has been crossed into a common supermarket "Desire".
1. Potato blight devastates crops - think back on Irish history
2. Farmers have to spray fields with chemicals up to 15 times a season to cope with potato blight.
3. Potatoes are grown from tubers i.e. from last season's potatoes ... not from seed. Bees are not interested in potato flowers so the risk of cross pollination to "traditional" crops is negligible.
4. This scientific trial is not funded by a large industrial oligopoly but, as far as I can see by scientists and philanthropists genuinely interested in how we meet the food needs of the world's growing population
5. This particular trial is not a fly by night experiment - its taken years of science to get to the planting trial stage - but still many more years before deciding if this is scientifically acceptable, let alone a marketable crop.
It is time that an intelligent crop-by-crop approach is taken to the issue of GM foods. Those with a longer history tell me that the EU has sat on the fence regarding individual GM crops for 15 years. This week the European Authorities slowing began to agree that decisions on individual crops should be taken by National Governments and not at an EU level.
So for the record I would eat this potato....
Thursday, 20 May 2010
First Strasbourg of a new era
The volcanic ash has added a new frisson of excitement to an MEP’s life. As I left home on Monday morning it was not at all clear which of my colleagues would make it – and I found myself chucking a few extra items of underwear into the suitcase in case I got stranded.
Of course this was also the first voting session of the European Parliament with a Conservative and Liberal government back at home. In the European Parliament we sit with different groups and there are differences of approach but in my first year as an MEP I have found many “market” Liberal MEPs on the Continent whose views on business and energy issues are similar to those of my own.
Monday was spent navigating my way across Europe’s train network so I arrived in the Parliament early evening to speak in a debate on Energy in Buildings – here I have worked closely with Fiona Hall MEP and leader of the UK Liberal delegation on legislation we hope will help save some of the 40% of Europe's energy that is used in homes and other buildings. Exporting good practice from the UK across the rest of the EU should be encouraged.
At 9pm we started the late night vote on the now infamous Alternative Investment Fund Management Directive – 4 of the 5 “liberals” from across Europe joined the Conservatives in voting against the legislation, united in our concerns that a protectionist approach could hurt pension funds and other investors.
On Tuesday I raced around Parliament helping to gather signatures for a motion to prevent the increase in MEPs staffing allowances – Greens and Conservatives joined forces here – sadly for the tax-payer we lost the final vote.
On Wednesday all UK MEPs (bar 2) voted to try to reduce the number of weeks we spend in Strasbourg (quite the biggest symbolic waste of tax payers money)– again we lost but it was closer than ever before and inspired us to try and try again.
By Thursday it was time to win some votes. A controversial paper on “Long Term Sustainability of Public Financing” had initially been drafted by a socialist economist – needless to say it was rather long on the ”spend, spend” theory of economics. Through the process of MEPs amendments and close
votes involving the EPP (Centre right)/ ECR (Our group) versus Socialists/Communists/Greens the document had been significantly redrafted in committee to more of a “lets the repay some debt, get sustainable budgets, focus investment on growth” theory of economics. As we raced into the deadline of the final full parliament votes today the EPP agreed to help vote down most of the clauses that we disliked and ECR/EPP/Liberals together defeated some last minute amendments from the Socialist side. And when it came to the final vote, on balance, I felt we had a paper that was not 100% perfect but worth supporting so I raised my thumb upwards and signalled to my colleagues to vote for the motion. It was passed by the narrowest of votes with the UK Conservatives making the difference – as a result we now have a paper passed by the European Parliament that emphasises need to restore fiscal restraint.
The week has also included two lengthy “Trialogs” i.e. the critical negotiation sessions to try to reconcile views between parliament, representatives of national governments in the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. It was our final trialog session on the Prospectus Directive – as a result it should now be cheaper and less bureaucratic for companies (especially smaller companies) to raise equity; a pleasing result and led from the Parliaments side by a German Liberal.
The other trialog sessions on the “supervisory architecture” for cross-boarder financial institutions are just getting started - these cover 7 different directives and promise long hours of meetings over the coming months.
I had a long chat with the Federation of Small Businesses on how to help them campaign against the working time direct,ive for self employed Truck Drivers (a ludicrous suggestion as they already have time limiters in their trucks). After most had packed up work for the day I had dinner with a group of US Banks and coffee with representatives of UK banks – important as we need to make sure that new rules for banks in Europe are, if possible, in line with other markets – we will be voting on some of these crucial and complex reforms within the next few weeks.
I spoke in 3 debates in the main chamber and attended a seminar on Research and Innovation – how to share Scientific discoveries better across Europe and globally? A key note speaker was Giscard D’Estaing who seemed to take great pleasure in telling the audience that Europe’s current woes were due to the Eurosceptic Brits – I couldn’t resist chipping in that on the subject of the conference British inventors are most pro-Europe and indeed there are more universities or businesses involved in EU cross-border collaborative research programs than from any other country.
It is time that some continental colleagues thought a bit more about the subtlety of the UK’s views on Europe.
Of course this was also the first voting session of the European Parliament with a Conservative and Liberal government back at home. In the European Parliament we sit with different groups and there are differences of approach but in my first year as an MEP I have found many “market” Liberal MEPs on the Continent whose views on business and energy issues are similar to those of my own.
Monday was spent navigating my way across Europe’s train network so I arrived in the Parliament early evening to speak in a debate on Energy in Buildings – here I have worked closely with Fiona Hall MEP and leader of the UK Liberal delegation on legislation we hope will help save some of the 40% of Europe's energy that is used in homes and other buildings. Exporting good practice from the UK across the rest of the EU should be encouraged.
At 9pm we started the late night vote on the now infamous Alternative Investment Fund Management Directive – 4 of the 5 “liberals” from across Europe joined the Conservatives in voting against the legislation, united in our concerns that a protectionist approach could hurt pension funds and other investors.
On Tuesday I raced around Parliament helping to gather signatures for a motion to prevent the increase in MEPs staffing allowances – Greens and Conservatives joined forces here – sadly for the tax-payer we lost the final vote.
On Wednesday all UK MEPs (bar 2) voted to try to reduce the number of weeks we spend in Strasbourg (quite the biggest symbolic waste of tax payers money)– again we lost but it was closer than ever before and inspired us to try and try again.
By Thursday it was time to win some votes. A controversial paper on “Long Term Sustainability of Public Financing” had initially been drafted by a socialist economist – needless to say it was rather long on the ”spend, spend” theory of economics. Through the process of MEPs amendments and close
votes involving the EPP (Centre right)/ ECR (Our group) versus Socialists/Communists/Greens the document had been significantly redrafted in committee to more of a “lets the repay some debt, get sustainable budgets, focus investment on growth” theory of economics. As we raced into the deadline of the final full parliament votes today the EPP agreed to help vote down most of the clauses that we disliked and ECR/EPP/Liberals together defeated some last minute amendments from the Socialist side. And when it came to the final vote, on balance, I felt we had a paper that was not 100% perfect but worth supporting so I raised my thumb upwards and signalled to my colleagues to vote for the motion. It was passed by the narrowest of votes with the UK Conservatives making the difference – as a result we now have a paper passed by the European Parliament that emphasises need to restore fiscal restraint.
The week has also included two lengthy “Trialogs” i.e. the critical negotiation sessions to try to reconcile views between parliament, representatives of national governments in the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. It was our final trialog session on the Prospectus Directive – as a result it should now be cheaper and less bureaucratic for companies (especially smaller companies) to raise equity; a pleasing result and led from the Parliaments side by a German Liberal.
The other trialog sessions on the “supervisory architecture” for cross-boarder financial institutions are just getting started - these cover 7 different directives and promise long hours of meetings over the coming months.
I had a long chat with the Federation of Small Businesses on how to help them campaign against the working time direct,ive for self employed Truck Drivers (a ludicrous suggestion as they already have time limiters in their trucks). After most had packed up work for the day I had dinner with a group of US Banks and coffee with representatives of UK banks – important as we need to make sure that new rules for banks in Europe are, if possible, in line with other markets – we will be voting on some of these crucial and complex reforms within the next few weeks.
I spoke in 3 debates in the main chamber and attended a seminar on Research and Innovation – how to share Scientific discoveries better across Europe and globally? A key note speaker was Giscard D’Estaing who seemed to take great pleasure in telling the audience that Europe’s current woes were due to the Eurosceptic Brits – I couldn’t resist chipping in that on the subject of the conference British inventors are most pro-Europe and indeed there are more universities or businesses involved in EU cross-border collaborative research programs than from any other country.
It is time that some continental colleagues thought a bit more about the subtlety of the UK’s views on Europe.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Reasons to be Happy
It has been wonderful to see David Cameron in Number 10 and so firmly getting down to business today - actually some of us didn't wait for last night's agreement. The European Parliament was of course continuing full steam ahead on a vast wave of financial services legislation that is coming through Europe.
Eve of Poll last Wednesday when I returned from talking to undecided voters in Thurrock we were up till the early hours working through the latest drafts of financial services legislation. Whilst it would have been nice to grab some sleep after a long and successful election day in Ipswich, on Friday we were looking at yet more proposed re-drafting from other countries MEPS and on Monday it was back to Brussels to vote (Suffice to say I didn't agree with quite all of the proposed text). The following days and weeks will include some crucial negotiations between European Countries on financial services reform - and less than 24 hours after DC set off to meet the Queen there is a UK government team pouring over the nitty gritty details at the highest levels. Well done.
I am very pleased to see so many friends arriving in Westminster - 17 new Conservative MPs from the East of England. They are a highly talented bunch - both men and women. Some have suggested that it would be nice to see more women in the cabinet now... I'm relaxed. Let the newly elected MPs get their feet under their desks and there will be lots of new talent for cabinet posts in years to come.
I am sorry to see some great candidates that were not elected. They worked so hard and would have been great MPs. With 52 of the 58 seats in the East of England now Conservative held it is a small number - but I can not thank them enough for their hard work and friendship.
Eve of Poll last Wednesday when I returned from talking to undecided voters in Thurrock we were up till the early hours working through the latest drafts of financial services legislation. Whilst it would have been nice to grab some sleep after a long and successful election day in Ipswich, on Friday we were looking at yet more proposed re-drafting from other countries MEPS and on Monday it was back to Brussels to vote (Suffice to say I didn't agree with quite all of the proposed text). The following days and weeks will include some crucial negotiations between European Countries on financial services reform - and less than 24 hours after DC set off to meet the Queen there is a UK government team pouring over the nitty gritty details at the highest levels. Well done.
I am very pleased to see so many friends arriving in Westminster - 17 new Conservative MPs from the East of England. They are a highly talented bunch - both men and women. Some have suggested that it would be nice to see more women in the cabinet now... I'm relaxed. Let the newly elected MPs get their feet under their desks and there will be lots of new talent for cabinet posts in years to come.
I am sorry to see some great candidates that were not elected. They worked so hard and would have been great MPs. With 52 of the 58 seats in the East of England now Conservative held it is a small number - but I can not thank them enough for their hard work and friendship.
Sunday, 2 May 2010
5 more days to change our politics
Westminster MPs may live in a bubble but the Brussels bubble can be even more isolated. It has been great to be back on doorsteps, in shopping centres and markets talking to voters and hearing their concerns. I've spent the past couple of days manning a call centre talking to hundreds of undecided voters. There were some who just didn't want to talk but a some who really, really do. People know that their vote this time is very important. The longer conversations were with public sector workers who know that changes need to be made and some had great suggestions.
I have to get back to Brussels for key meetings on financial services reform tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday. The rest of the world doesn't stop for our election and it vital that the UK voice is still heard... its a bank holiday here so the UK trains have a reduced timetable... looks like the alarm is set for 5am.
I have to get back to Brussels for key meetings on financial services reform tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday. The rest of the world doesn't stop for our election and it vital that the UK voice is still heard... its a bank holiday here so the UK trains have a reduced timetable... looks like the alarm is set for 5am.
Monday, 19 April 2010
Dusty thinking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg
All day yesterday, Sunday, my blackberry was silently vibrating as email after email arrived from MEP colleagues stuck under the Volcanic Ash cloud begging for this weeks Strasbourg meeting to be cancelled. It was very clear that even if the parliament did meet this week MEPs from further flung parts of the EU would simply not be able to be present. Other MEPs begged that the monthly migration to Strasbourg could be evacuated back to Brussels.
No answer back. The issue of Strasbourg is just too sensitive to the French, Germans and some other central Europeans, admitting the need to re-schedule is to them a loss of face too far.
There was a moment of no return when I boarded the Eurostar this morning. I knew that many of my UK colleagues were grounded as the train seats out were fully booked by last Friday - I was also told that all trains back were fully booked until this Thursday. In my diary in addition to the normal Strasbourg votes I had 4 meetings about key pieces of up-coming legislation that affect the UK more than most. However I was not prepared to risk leaving UK without a voice.
As the train raced through France the email traffic continued 3 of my 4 meetings have been cancelled. The queues at both Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est were horrendous. It is clear that even in the centre of mainland Europe travelling is causing huge trauma.
Arriving in Strasbourg the powers-that-be have decided that it would be undemocratic for the Parliament to vote as this would exclude members from further countries. However they have decided that debates must continue. I thought democracy was as much about the right to free speech as the right to vote. Having admitted that it would be wrong to vote when various countries are unrepresented why is it acceptable to have debates when they can not make their opinions heard
? Is this suggesting that the debates don't count?
The volcanic ash cloud is forcing many to re-think their reliance on travel and transportation. It is causing real pain to people and businesses. We politicians are constantly asking those we represent to save energy and think twice before making un-necessary journeys. Please let's get rid of these un-necessary journeys to Strasbourg.
No answer back. The issue of Strasbourg is just too sensitive to the French, Germans and some other central Europeans, admitting the need to re-schedule is to them a loss of face too far.
There was a moment of no return when I boarded the Eurostar this morning. I knew that many of my UK colleagues were grounded as the train seats out were fully booked by last Friday - I was also told that all trains back were fully booked until this Thursday. In my diary in addition to the normal Strasbourg votes I had 4 meetings about key pieces of up-coming legislation that affect the UK more than most. However I was not prepared to risk leaving UK without a voice.
As the train raced through France the email traffic continued 3 of my 4 meetings have been cancelled. The queues at both Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est were horrendous. It is clear that even in the centre of mainland Europe travelling is causing huge trauma.
Arriving in Strasbourg the powers-that-be have decided that it would be undemocratic for the Parliament to vote as this would exclude members from further countries. However they have decided that debates must continue. I thought democracy was as much about the right to free speech as the right to vote. Having admitted that it would be wrong to vote when various countries are unrepresented why is it acceptable to have debates when they can not make their opinions heard
? Is this suggesting that the debates don't count?
The volcanic ash cloud is forcing many to re-think their reliance on travel and transportation. It is causing real pain to people and businesses. We politicians are constantly asking those we represent to save energy and think twice before making un-necessary journeys. Please let's get rid of these un-necessary journeys to Strasbourg.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
And They're Off
As Mr Brown was travelling up the Mall to call the election today I was back on the Eurostar to Brussels. Since Tony Blair announced his intention to stand down as PM immediately after the 2005 election my country has been without a committed, elected leader at the helm and finally five years on they have a choice.
So what does an MEP do during a national general election campaign? MEPs from different countries and different groups give different answers - even from our own country and my own group there are different answers. Here is mine.
1. I want a change of government in the UK for the benefit of the UK.
2. I want to see a large number of the excellent candidates across the East of England elected to parliament. Over recent years I have made good friends with many of them, seen their highs and lows as they juggle work, politics, community and family. I know that the amongst the new generation of MPs in waiting there are some true stars. Fighting an election is great fun but can also be lonely and brutal - I want to help them and their teams.
3. BUT .... we also can't afford to drop the ball with the European legislative agenda. This afternoon and evening I prepared a voting list for over 100 different votes that my colleagues will face tomorrow. This takes some time - and was on amendments just one report - to do with Energy savings. When a document is negotiated via hundreds of amendments and babel-fished through 22 languages it often becomes totally intelligible. The working language is English and being present in the re-drafting meetings and adding the native English speaking voice makes a difference.
4. However .... I also want to a change in the UK government for the wider world. I'm fed up with the recent trend of the UK blaming "global" issues for our own troubles - perhaps I'm arrogant - but the UK I'm proud of is the UK that used to help to solve global issues. There is not a great deal of point of me fighting in the European Parliament if our battle-grounds are not even inspected by the Council of Ministers where our National Parliaments are represented. Each piece of EU legislation requires approval by both Parliament and the Council. Over recent months there has been a steady stream of Conservative MPs through Brussels - working with their MEP colleagues to make sure they are ready and briefed to take up their council seats on every bit of EU legislation. They are thinking positive and ready for the challenge.
THEREFORE ... over the next few weeks I will be back in the UK as much as possible and keeping up with the day job in Brussels. Over the Easter Weekend I spoke to many friends from different jobs, backgrounds and financial circumstances who are going to try to find the extra hours to help out in the election over the coming weeks. Join them - I will be.
So what does an MEP do during a national general election campaign? MEPs from different countries and different groups give different answers - even from our own country and my own group there are different answers. Here is mine.
1. I want a change of government in the UK for the benefit of the UK.
2. I want to see a large number of the excellent candidates across the East of England elected to parliament. Over recent years I have made good friends with many of them, seen their highs and lows as they juggle work, politics, community and family. I know that the amongst the new generation of MPs in waiting there are some true stars. Fighting an election is great fun but can also be lonely and brutal - I want to help them and their teams.
3. BUT .... we also can't afford to drop the ball with the European legislative agenda. This afternoon and evening I prepared a voting list for over 100 different votes that my colleagues will face tomorrow. This takes some time - and was on amendments just one report - to do with Energy savings. When a document is negotiated via hundreds of amendments and babel-fished through 22 languages it often becomes totally intelligible. The working language is English and being present in the re-drafting meetings and adding the native English speaking voice makes a difference.
4. However .... I also want to a change in the UK government for the wider world. I'm fed up with the recent trend of the UK blaming "global" issues for our own troubles - perhaps I'm arrogant - but the UK I'm proud of is the UK that used to help to solve global issues. There is not a great deal of point of me fighting in the European Parliament if our battle-grounds are not even inspected by the Council of Ministers where our National Parliaments are represented. Each piece of EU legislation requires approval by both Parliament and the Council. Over recent months there has been a steady stream of Conservative MPs through Brussels - working with their MEP colleagues to make sure they are ready and briefed to take up their council seats on every bit of EU legislation. They are thinking positive and ready for the challenge.
THEREFORE ... over the next few weeks I will be back in the UK as much as possible and keeping up with the day job in Brussels. Over the Easter Weekend I spoke to many friends from different jobs, backgrounds and financial circumstances who are going to try to find the extra hours to help out in the election over the coming weeks. Join them - I will be.
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