Archived press release

Northern Ireland Euro green votes result

7 April 2004

John Hume is Northern Ireland’s greenest MEP according to an analysis revealed today by Friends
of the Earth Europe ahead of the European Elections on June 10 [1].

By analyzing voting records on key environmental issues over the last four years it has been possible to identify the greenest MEPs in Europe, those who have consistently voted against environmental improvements and those who have not turned up to vote on these issues [2]. Collectively UK MEPs had a
worse environmental voting record than any other countries MEPs [3].

The three Northern Ireland MEPs scored as follows (in order of environmental performance) [4]:

Mr John Hume (SDLP), Score 100 per cent. Euro rank equal 1st out of 685;
Rev. Ian Paisley (DUP), Score 50 per cent. Euro rank equal 384 out of 685;
Mr James Nicholson (UUP), Score 12.5 per cent. Euro rank equal 606 out of 685.

In the UK, the political parties' votes for environmental improvement were ranked as follows:

1. Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP – all 100 per cent
2. Liberal Democrats – 99 per cent
3. SNP – 87 per cent
4. Labour – 70 per cent
5. DUP – 50 per cent
6. Conservatives – 13 per cent
7. UUP – 12 per cent
8. UKIP – 0 per cent

The key votes were identified by the major environmental groups within Europe. The European Union is responsible for around 90 per cent of environmental laws in the UK [5]. Recent research shows that over 30 per cent of UK citizens are “very worried” about environmental issues [6]. The environment is one of the few areas where the European Parliament has co-decision making powers with the Commission and Council of Ministers and is therefore one of the few areas where MEPs can make a significant difference.

Friends of the Earth’s Northern Ireland Director John Woods said:

“The European Union is the driving force to cleaning up Northern Ireland’s water, rivers and beaches. Its laws on waste are improving the safety of waste disposal facilities and leading to increased recycling. It has a huge influence at international negotiations on issues as diverse as wildlife protection, trade and corporate accountability. We’re delighted to see that John Hume has voted green each time a key vote has come up. We want to see Ian Paisley and especially Jim Nicholson do much better. The environment is of huge importance to public health and people’s quality of life. Our MEPs need to recognize this by voting green in Europe and attending key debates.”

Notes

[1] (back) The research is available as an interactive website at www.EU-votewatch.org

[2] (back) The ten key votes were identified by, amongst-others, Friends of the Earth, WWF, Greenpeace and Birdlife. They were on: Agriculture, Air pollution, Chemicals, GM food, Liability, Nuclear power, Recycling, Renewables, Transport. Further details on the precise nature of the votes and background information is at www.EU-votewatch.org

[3] (back) Ranking of Countries by MEPs for environmental improvements was carried out by analysing total number of votes by a country MEPs for environmental improvements against total against. The following is a list of percentage of votes for environmental improvement: Denmark (84 per cent), Sweden (81 per cent), Austria (77 per cent), Belgium (76 per cent), Netherlands (75 per cent), Finland (75 per cent), Greece (70 per cent), Spain (69 per cent), Portugal (67 per cent), France (66 per cent), Luxembourg (63 per cent), Ireland (59 per cent), Germany (57 per cent), Italy (57 per cent), UK (49 per cent).

[4] (back) Percentage is the number of times voted positively for the environment out of the times voted. MEPs can miss votes for various reasons, some good and some bad.

[5] (back) A common claim made by Euro-skeptics in the UK is that UK business are at a disadvantage because it is only the UK that properly implements EU laws and that other countries do not. A recent report by the European Commission shows that the UK has more actions against it for failure to implement EU laws than 10 other member states. Only 4 other states have a worse record than the UK. 2003 Environment Policy Review, Consolidating the environmental pillar of sustainable development, Com (2003) 745 final of 3.12.2003.

[6] (back) European Opinion Research Group, December 2002, Eurobarometer 58.0, the attitudes of Europeans towards the environment, DG Environment.

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: foe-ni@foe.co.uk.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust