http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/newsarchive.php Recent News Stories from South West Liberal Democrats en-GB South West Liberal Democrats http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 South West Liberal Democrats 2010-08-01T08:26+01:00 United Kingdom http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000221/tailored_support_for_south_west_business_in_europe.html A local Euro-MP has called upon small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the South West to "look to Europe" for prosperity after a recently published report showed a positive link between exports and SME performance. 2010-07-14T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000220/eu_set_to_tighten_animal_testing_rules.html The use of animals in scientific experiments could soon be reduced by new EU legislation which aims to strike a balance between improving animal welfare and assisting research against diseases. 2010-07-12T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000219/meps_use_lisbon_powers_to_safeguard_citizens_privacy.html The European Parliament has approved a reworked EU-US agreement on access to Europeans' banking data for tracking of terrorist finance after rejecting an interim deal in February on grounds that it insufficiently safeguarded privacy. 2010-07-08T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000218/european_parliament_backs_cap_reform.html The European Parliament has backed a report by a UK Lib Dem MEP that calls for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to make it fairer, greener and more sustainable. 2010-07-08T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000217/meps_cut_down_illegal_loggers.html MEPs have taken an axe to the illegal logging trade today by banning the placing of illegal timber on the European market and setting up strict penalties for those caught doing so. 2010-07-07T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000216/bankers_bonuses_capped_by_meps.html MEPs today backed moves to crack-down on bankers' bonuses that encourage risky financial decisions and led to the recent financial meltdown. Banks were also told to hold reserves to guard against risky investments so they are not forced to fall back onto the taxpayer. 2010-07-07T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000215/euromps_give_boat_passengers_new_rights.html Boat passengers will have more rights as of 2012, after the European Parliament today approved new rules on the assistance and compensation an operator must provide in the event of delays or cancellations. Disabled passengers also secure the right to free assistance. 2010-07-06T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000213/supergrid_would_put_south_west_on_the_europes_renewable_energy_map.html Local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson has called for a Europe-wide energy "Supergrid" that would enable projects like the Wave Hub in Cornwall to export green energy to Europe and beyond. He will travel to London on Friday (2 July) to discuss the idea with leading engineers, consultants and policy makers. 2010-07-01T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000214/watson_welcomes_stricter_roaming_rules_for_brits_abroad.html Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson has welcomed the introduction of stricter rules that mean mobile phone companies must offer customers an even fairer price when they use their phone in another EU country. 2010-07-01T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000211/first_step_for_new_food_labels.html The European Parliament today voted in favour of stricter rules on food packaging labels including more detailed nutritional information and a "country of provenance" indication for meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables, and single ingredient products. 2010-06-16T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000212/right_to_interpretation_a_leap_forward_for_european_justice.html The European Parliament has today passed landmark legislation that will give all EU citizens rights to interpretation and translation when they are questioned by police or tried in another EU country where they don't speak the language. 2010-06-16T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000208/meps_demand_greater_transparency_on_eu_funding.html MEPs today called on the Commission to introduce greater transparency and public information on the way EU funds are spent by member states. 2010-06-15T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000209/democracy_can_stamp_out_criminal_activity_on_the_internet.html The European Parliament has called upon national authorities and regulatory bodies to work together to stamp out child pornography and other criminal activity on the internet. 2010-06-15T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000210/graham_calls_for_an_end_to_the_blockade_in_manipur_india.html Speech in the European Parliament, 14 June 2010 2010-06-14T00:00+01:00 http://swlibdemteam4europe.org.uk/news/000207/liberals_take_the_netherlands.html Graham Watson MEP has congratulated Dutch Liberal parties on the outstanding election results in the Netherlands. 2010-06-10T00:00+01:00