EuroParlRadio

Brazilian meat scandal highlights dangers of cheap imports – Carthy

The ongoing trade talks between the EU and the Mercosur Latin American countries should be suspended. That’s the call being made by the Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy. His demand follows recent revelations of serious fraud and corruption in the Brazilian beef and poultry trade. Mr Carthy says the Brazilian scandal highlights the dangers of importing cheaper poultry and beef products from non EU countries.

Out words: sacrificial lamb

Dur: 00:30

Carthy calls for suspension of Brazilian beef and poultry imports

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy is calling on the EU to suspend all imports of Brazilian beef and poultry. His call follows recent revelations of serious fraud and corruption in the Brazilian beef and poultry trade. A two-year investigation by the Brazilian Federal Police showed that potentially dangerous meat products were placed in the food chain. MEPs this week demanded to know why EU border checks failed to detect tainted Brazilian meat products coming into the EU. The scandal comes as the EU continues to negotiate a trade deal with the Mercosur countries in Latin America. Here’s Matt Carthy. 

Out words: trading bloc

Dur: 00:39

Longer clip – McGuinness on Hate speech and fake news

Longer clip of Mairead McGuinness on European Parliament debate on how to deal with hate speech and fake news. Relates to previous clip filed on this. She also refers to extreme language & commentary being used in the Brexit debate. The interview was conducted prior to the debate taking place in the European Parliament this week.

Out words: we’re taking

Dur: 2:23

Hate speech & fake news in European Parliament spotlight – McGuinness

The thorny issue of how to control hate speech and fake news, particularly on social media outlets, has been grabbing the attention of MEPs. The European Parliament this week debated how to tackle the growing proliferation of false and defamatory comments made over the internet. Some MEPs called for greater pressure on social media platforms to remove damaging content. However, others cautioned against any form of media controls. The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness says this is an issue that will not be resolved easily. 

Out words: what’s not 

Dur: 00:38 

 

Final barrier to free roaming cleared – Kelly

MEPs removed the last hurdle on the way to full abolition of retail roaming surcharges in a vote today in the European Parliament. The abolition of retail roaming surcharges is due to happen on the 15 June. It should enable consumers to call, text and use mobile data for the same cost at home while travelling in another EU country. The Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly welcomed today’s vote.

Out words: some arrangement

Dur: 00:28

Halawa family very concerned about Doctor’s report – Boylan

The Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan says Ibrahim Halawa’s family are very concerned for his health following a recent doctor’s examination of the Irish citizen. She spoke to the young man’s family following news that Enda Kenny had written to the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi calling on him to release Ibrahim on humanitarian grounds.

Out words: the good

Dur: 00:24

MEP welcomes Taoiseach’s intervention on Halawa – Boylan

The Taoiseach’s intervention to try to secure the release of Ibrahim Halawa has been welcomed by the Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan who’s long been campaigning for his release. The young man’s been languishing in a jail in Cairo since his arrest there during demonstrations in 2013. He’s always denied any wrongdoing. This week Enda Kenny wrote to the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi calling on him to release the young man on humanitarian grounds.

Out words: returned home

Dur: 00:41

Post Brexit equality between North & South businesses huge issue – Harkin

The Independent MEP Marian Harkin says maintaining equality between North and South businesses will be a huge issue post Brexit. The Midlands North-West MEP is warning that businesses in the South could be put at a major disadvantage if their counterparts in Northern Ireland can operate under better circumstances. Marian Harkin was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg which yesterday approved a resolution outlining the Parliament’s main conditions for the Brexit talks.

Out words: that nettle

Dur: 00:36

Government ‘asleep at the wheel’ on Brexit – Carthy

The Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy is accusing the Government of failing to ensure the Irish situation is safeguarded in future Brexit negotiations. Mr Carthy was speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg which yesterday passed a resolution outlining its main conditions for the Brexit talks. The Parliament’s document includes several references to Ireland. However, Matt Carthy says the Government hasn’t ensured that Ireland receives similar priority in the EU Council’s draft blueprint for negotiations with Britain.

Out words: final outcome

Dur: 00:37

New EU rules may affect medical device companies in Ireland – McGuinness

New rules on better safety and traceability for medical devices may impact Irish-based companies who produce and supply them. The European Parliament today approved stricter rules to ensure that medical devices such as breast or hip implants are traceable and comply with EU patient safety requirements. MEPs also backed laws to tighten up information and ethical requirements for diagnostic medical devices such as those used for pregnancy or DNA testing. The Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness explains how the new rules could affect medical device companies in Ireland.

Out words: internally

Dur: 00:37