By Martin Banks - 4th June 2007
A ‘fact-finding’ trip to the Azores next week by 60 centre-right MEPs and parliamentary staff has been criticised by other deputies and environmentalists.
Ostensibly, the two-day trip is designed to investigate fisheries and maritime policies and the problems of the “outermost” regions of the EU.
But the round-trip to the Azorean capital Ponta Delgada has come under fire, not least because it will pump an estimated 0.8 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere for each person travelling.
This prompted Socialist MEP Claude Moraes to declare that “mass delegations” to far-flung parts of Europe risk putting parliament in a bad light, particularly as it recently set up a committee of inquiry into climate change.
“Parliament has adopted a high profile in calling for a reduction in CO2 emissions which is to be applauded. But it has to understand that mass delegations like this, which will leave a carbon footprint, inevitably come under extreme public scrutiny,” he said.
“When it comes to overseas travel, parliament has to get its own house in order. When it comes to tackling climate change, its actions have to match its words.”
Another MEP, who did not wish to be named, said, “The perception is that this trip is a waste of public money. You have to ask why so many members and staff are going."
Their comments were echoed by Greenpeace which also questioned why it was necessary for so many MEPs and staff to go on the 5,000km round-trip.
However, UK Conservative deputy Struan Stevenson, who is due to speak at the event on the European commission’s green paper on maritime policy, robustly defended the trip.
“This is an essential debate and I would argue that nowhere in the EU is better qualified to host such an event than the Azores,” he said.
“It has a key interest in maritime affairs and the people who criticise such trips should, perhaps, tell us which parts of the EU they consider no-go areas for MEPs. Is the Shetlands, for example, considered unsuitable?
"At the same time, they might also tell us how many deputies should be allowed to travel on such trips."
Nor does Stevenson, parliament’s rapporteur on the maritime green paper, believe the trip will create an extra ‘carbon footprint’.
“This is not a junket and those who think it is should get a reality check.”
The trip has been organised by the European People's Party, parliament's biggest political group.
Other MEP participants include French deputy and EPP-ED leader Joseph Daul, group deputy leader Othmar Karas and French deputy Margie Sudre.
EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg is also due to attend the 14-15 June event.
It is believed they will have a choice of three luxury hotels for their stay, including the Hotel Marina Atlantico, where prices for a single room are about €115 and, after the conference, they will be treated to an excursion to a tea plantation.
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