Government's blame on EU rules merely shows their own incompetence (Diana Wallis MEP)

Diana Wallis MEP <info@dianawallismep.org.uk>

Government's blame on EU rules merely shows their own incompetence

February 11, 2007 12:00 PM

Turkey imports could be banned Local Lib Dem Euro MP, Diana Wallis, has responded to the suggestion by Environment Secretary David Miliband that a ban on Hungarian poultry imports after the outbreak of bird flu in Suffolk would have be illegal accordingly to EU free trade rules.

Speaking in Yorkshire today Diana Wallis MEP said:

"The claim by David Miliband that such a ban would be a contravention to the EU free trade rules is frankly nonsense. Free trade rules give way to issues of public health as long as any ban is appropriate and proportionate to the risk. Has the Government actually discussed the possibilities with the European Commission?

"The Commission might well take a sympathetic view of the UK and its Hungary problem; it is certainly worth discussing. We were the first to complain when other countries banned our beef illegally during the BSE crisis, but if there is really justification the EU should be ready to help in these moments of crisis where human health is potentially at risk.

"I'm afraid that David Miliband is currently attempting to use the EU as a convenient scapegoat to cover the Government's own incompetence in their handling of this, rather than working with others to deal with what is an EU as well as a British problem."