803 Written explanations of Julia REID
Listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement, as regards the UK's withdrawal from the EU (A8-0047/2019 - Sergei Stanishev)
I abstained on this legislative report. Whilst I fully support – and want – visa-free access to the EU for UK nationals after we withdraw from the EU, alterations to the text by the European Council made this report impossible to support. The reason is that, without a mandate from Parliament, the Council added text to state that Gibraltar is a ʻcolonyʼ of the British Crown. This is not only factually incorrect, as Gibraltar is designated as a British Overseas Territory, but also highly insulting to its people, who have, in two referendums, overwhelmingly voted to remain British. I also strongly objected to the procedures employed by the institutions to instigate this change, which included unjustly removing a British rapporteur from the report and refusing to allow a full debate or amendments to be tabled. For these reasons, and whilst I would have liked to support the report, I abstained.
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A8-0177/2019 - Miroslavs Mitrofanovs)
Strengthening the security of identity cards and of residence documents issued to Union citizens (A8-0436/2018 - Gérard Deprez)
. ‒ I voted against this legislative report. Whilst I support in principle the idea of strengthening the security of identity documents to protect them from counterfeiting, I oppose the EU’s harmonisation of these documents. Furthermore, I also believe that Member States should have the right to choose both whether to include a person’s gender on these documents and how this appears on the document. For these reasons, I voted against.
Work-life balance for parents and carers (A8-0270/2018 - David Casa)
I voted against this legislation. Balance of work and family life, especially the division of time of work to raise children, is a decision to be made primarily by the family themselves. The EU should not attempt to influence or interfere in either the private affairs of families or the internal policies of the Member States. Any legislation made in this area should be done so by the democratically elected governments and should be light-touch.
Protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States (A8-0469/2018 - Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Petri Sarvamaa)
I voted against this legislative report closing the first reading. The report itself is an attempt to give the unelected Commission powers to cut EU funding to EU Member States it politically disagrees with. The rules within the legislation make any such measures be on the basis of a Council decision following a proposal from the Commission. The decision shall be automatically approved, unless the Council decides by QMV to reject the Commission proposal within one month of its adoption by the Commission. This is clearly the EU looking to further punish countries that it deems have broken their ‘rule of law’ principles, such as Poland and Hungary.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (A8-0461/2018 - Verónica Lope Fontagné)
Adjustment of annual pre-financing for the years 2021 to 2023 (A8-0181/2019 - Mirosław Piotrowski)
Temporary reintroduction of border control at internal borders (A8-0356/2018 - Tanja Fajon)
I have voted against this closure of the legislative report. Whilst the proposal from the Commission on this issue was fair and reasonable, the report was drastically altered and weakened by the Parliament. I therefore voted against the closure of first reading to allow for further amendments to be tabled to this report.
Motion for a resolution pursuant to Rule 108(6) seeking an opinion from the Court of Justice relating to the EU accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (B8-0232/2019)
I have voted to abstain on this non-legislative resolution. Whilst I fully support protecting women against all forms of violence, I oppose the EU’s accession to any Convention as it overrides national sovereignty. Moreover, this resolution seeks an opinion from a European Court that I do not recognise or support. On balance overall an abstention was deemed most appropriate.
Mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context (A8-0414/2018 - Matthijs van Miltenburg)
. ‒ This is a legislative, first reading report concerning removing obstacles at borders. Whilst it is admirable to want to boost border regions that are not doing as well as other areas, I voted against this, as I do not agree with EU projects or legislation that further their implementation, as this could lead to an increase in spending.
Draft Agreement on Cooperation between Eurojust and Georgia (A8-0065/2019 - Sylvia-Yvone Kaufmann)
I have voted against this technically non-legislative report that established a cooperation agreement between Eurojust and Georgia. I oppose any expansion of the mandate of Eurojust and principally oppose the EU concluding agreements with third countries. Cooperation on police and judicial matters should conducted at a bilateral level.
European Fisheries Control Agency (A8-0037/2019 - Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg)
Exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting for the period 2021-2027 (Pericles IV programme) (A8-0069/2019 - Dennis de Jong)
. ‒ I voted against this legislative report that extends the mandate of the Pericles programme. Whilst safeguarding any currency against counterfeiting is a sensible decision, the Member State I represent does not use this currency. Therefore it is not in the interest of British taxpayers to have their money spent protecting a currency that they do not use. For this reason, I voted against this report.
EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (A8-0053/2019 - David Martin)
EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (resolution) (A8-0048/2019 - David Martin)
EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement (A8-0054/2019 - David Martin)
EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement (resolution) (A8-0049/2019 - David Martin)
EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (A8-0020/2019 - Antonio López-Istúriz White)
I voted against this consent procedure. This Agreement covers a framework for a political relationship between the EU and Singapore. We look forward to forging such a relationship between Singapore and the United Kingdom post-Brexit. I believe that such relationships are reserved for sovereign and mutually recognised states. The EU should not be treated as such and therefore should not engage in the signing of such agreements.
EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (resolution) (A8-0023/2019 - Antonio López-Istúriz White)
I voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. This Agreement covers a framework for a political relationship between the EU and Singapore. We look forward to forging such a relationship between Singapore and the United Kingdom post-Brexit. I believe that such relationships are reserved for sovereign and mutually recognised states. The EU should not be treated as such and therefore should not engage in the signing of such agreements.
Treaty establishing the Transport Community (A8-0022/2019 - Karima Delli)
The UK delegation voted against this recommendation because it is looking to harmonise cooperation between road, rail, inland waterways and maritime transport. It is important to ensure that all areas of transport are able to connect in a timely, cost effective and efficient manner; however, this cannot be done in a manner that fits all.
2018 Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (A8-0467/2018 - Cristian Dan Preda)
I voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. I am against further expansion of the European Union, especially into the Balkans and I also oppose the package of policies with which the European Union engages with candidate and potential candidate countries. These policies use EU-taxpayer money to essentially bribe these countries and exercises undue influence on the internal affairs of these states. The ramifications of EU policy in its near-neighbourhood have as of yet proven unpredictable and in some cases dangerous.
Common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules for those (A8-0043/2019 - Andrey Novakov, Constanze Krehl)
I voted against this legislative, first-reading report. The report concerns EU funding mechanisms, which I am against, and their simplification. Simplification of such funds could lead to easier access and thus more spending, which should not be done at EU level. I supported amendments to the report which reduced the scope of the legislation and increased flexibility and transparency. I voted against anything that increases budgets or the scope of the legislation, including amendments calling on the Commission.
Justice programme (A8-0068/2019 - Josef Weidenholzer, Heidi Hautala)
I voted against this legislative report that establishes the justice programme. Whilst I fully support the aim of supporting open, democratic and pluralist societies, I oppose this being coordinated at EU level. This programme also aims to infringe upon the sovereignty of Member States judicial systems at the cost of EUR 350 million to the taxpayer.
The state of the debate on the Future of Europe (A8-0427/2018 - Ramón Jáuregui Atondo)
Cooperation between the courts of the Member States in the taking of evidence in civil or commercial matters (A8-0477/2018 - Emil Radev)
Service in the Member States of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil or commercial matters (A8-0001/2019 - Sergio Gaetano Cofferati)
Common rules ensuring basic road freight connectivity with regard to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Union (A8-0063/2019 - Isabella De Monte)
Common rules ensuring basic air connectivity with regard to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the Union (A8-0062/2019 - Pavel Telička)
Aviation safety with regard to the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Nothern Ireland from the Union (A8-0061/2019 - Kosma Złotowski)
GATS: necessary compensatory adjustments resulting from the accession of Czechia, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden to the EU (A8-0067/2019 - José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra)
Streamlining measures for advancing the realisation of the trans-European transport network (A8-0015/2019 - Dominique Riquet)
Insurance of motor vehicles (A8-0035/2019 - Dita Charanzová)
I have voted against this legislative, first-reading report. The report wishes to harmonise rules on motor vehicles, something that can be done by Member States. I have voted against any amendments that wish to tell Member States to take certain actions and in favour of an amendment that wishes to apply the legislation only to those vehicles in traffic.
Experiencing backlash in women’s rights and gender equality in the EU (B8-0096/2019, B8-0099/2019)
I voted to abstain on this non-binding, non-legislative motion for resolution, the report called to tackle limitations and hindrances to women’s rights and equality. This report was of a sensitive nature and bore many references to sexual and reproductive rights, as well as calls to tackle violence against women.However, there were various aspects that I believe should remain as Member State competencies, such as the national curriculum, and what non-EU international conventions a Member State may or may not ratify.
Policy challenges and strategies against women's cancers and related comorbidities (B8-0097/2019)
I voted to abstain on this non-binding, non-legislative motion for resolution. This report noted the importance of population-based screening for tackling cancers early, particularly forms of cancer exclusive to women: breast, uterus and cervical cancers. It states that screening ought to be easily accessible and affordable. Whilst I disagree with the harmonisation of and the principle of EU intervention, this report was of an extremely highly sensitive nature; therefore, I voted to abstain.
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions 2018 (A8-0024/2019 - Cecilia Wikström)
We support the right of EU citizens to bring their grievances to the European Parliament, and this appears to be one of the few ways citizens can directly attempt to have an impact on the undemocratic EU. We will always support the ability of people to bring their grievances to their elected officials.
Agreement to prevent unregulated high seas fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean (A8-0016/2019 - Norica Nicolai)
Protocol to the EU-Mexico Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement (accession of Croatia) (A8-0066/2019 - Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández)
EU Anti-Fraud Programme (A8-0064/2019 - José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra)
. ‒ I abstained on this 1st reading legislative proposal. The proposal is to create a new anti-fraud programme for the EU budget for the 2021-2027 period. It will have a budget of EUR 181 million and will be spent on technical measures and extra oversight at EU level as well as offering grants to official bodies in Member States that help tackle fraud. The programme is also open to non-EU countries and countries wishing to join the EU. Any organisation that receives EU funding will be forced to promote the EU and it will require the Commission to run publicity campaigns. I abstained although I have serious concerns over the cost, the setting up of measures at EU level and propaganda elements, I did not want to oppose moves overall to tackle fraud. Also the UK should have left the EU by the time this programme is due to start.
Union Civil Protection Mechanism (A8-0180/2018 - Elisabetta Gardini)
Approval and market surveillance of agricultural and forestry vehicles (A8-0318/2018 - Nicola Danti)
Programme for single market, competitiveness of enterprises and European statistics (A8-0052/2019 - Nicola Danti)
I have voted against this legislative, first-reading report. I do not agree with the concept of the single market or EU funding mechanisms. Even though this report streamlines funding, it is arguable that this increases spending, as it is easier to access. I have abstained on many of the amendments to this report, as I agree with what they are trying to achieve, but not in the context of the single market. I have voted in favour of deleting text, which says legal entities of third countries can participate in programmes, as sending money outside of the EU is something that Member States should decide that they want to do.
Roma integration strategies (B8-0098/2019)
I voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. Whilst I recognise there may be cases of genuine denial of rights to Roma some places in Europe, I do not believe the EU should have the right to interfere in the domestic politics and policies of Member States. Any changes to legislation must come from within the Member States themselves.
Implementation of the Treaty provisions related to EU Citizenship (A8-0041/2019 - Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz)
The UK delegation voted against this, because whilst we applaud the report’s criticism of the appointment of Martin Selmayr as the Commission’s Secretary-General, the report is calling for more EU integration in the form of the establishment of the EU citizen as a preference to that of a Member State citizen. Furthermore, it is considered entirely undemocratic and opposing free speech when there is a call for EU policy to tackle anti-European propaganda and targeted misinformation.
Implementation of the Treaty provisions concerning enhanced cooperation (A8-0038/2019 - Alain Lamassoure)
Implementation of the Treaty provisions on Parliament’s power of political control over the Commission (A8-0033/2019 - Mercedes Bresso)
. ‒ The UK delegation to the EFDD Group voted to abstain on this report. We welcome the criticism of the appointment of Martin Selmayr as Commission Secretary-General, however this report is adopting a policy of ‘closing the stable door after the horse has bolted’ and it should not be required, as Parliament and the Commission are not required.
Implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the EU institutional framework (A8-0051/2019 - Barbara Spinelli)
. ‒ The UK Delegation to the EFDD Group voted against this report because the Charter of Fundamental Rights operates as an integration tool that, by virtue of the Lisbon Treaty, has been invested with the same legal value as the Treaties. It is impossible for the UK delegation to agree to a charter that issues a blanket proposal on the rights of citizens without taking into account the domestic rights of the individual in the Member State.
Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties (Statute of the European Ombudsman) (A8-0050/2019 - Paulo Rangel)
A comprehensive European industrial policy on artificial intelligence and robotics (A8-0019/2019 - Ashley Fox)
Sustainable use of pesticides (A8-0045/2019 - Jytte Guteland)
I have abstained on this non-legislative report on the use of pesticides. I am very concerned with regard to the negative effects on human health that can derive from certain kind of pesticides. On the other hand, I understand farmers and their need to use pesticides to keep plants healthy and prevent disease and infestation.
Amendments to Parliament's Rules of Procedure (A8-0462/2018 - Richard Corbett)
The UK delegation voted against the amendments to the Rules of Procedure. Whilst it is important to have transparency and ensure protection against sexual and psychological harassment, we could not support the vote in its entirety when it is calling into question the right of choice and debate within political groups and allowing larger groups to dissolve smaller groups in order for them to have their own way.
Union Customs Code: inclusion of the municipality of Campione d'Italia and the Italian waters of Lake Lugano in the customs territory of the Union (A8-0368/2018 - Jasenko Selimovic)
I have voted against this legislative, first reading report. I do not agree with a harmonised Union Customs Code, as this is something Member States are capable of doing on their own. The introduction of the municipality of Campione d’Italia and the Italian waters of Lake Lugano is an expansion of the Single Market and another reason why I voted against this report.
Rules on direct payments and support for rural development in respect of the years 2019 and 2020 (A8-0018/2019 - Czesław Adam Siekierski)
Accession of the Dominican Republic to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0451/2018 - Mary Honeyball)
. ‒ International child abduction is an abomination and the welfare of children should always be protected. However the UK delegation could not support the EU acting as a ‘state’ in adopting the competence to force other Member States into accepting the accession of countries to the Convention. Member States should ensure that they are happy with the acceding country and then accept that they have adopted the Convention in a manner that meets their expectations.
Accession of Ecuador and Ukraine to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0452/2018 - Mary Honeyball)
. ‒ International child abduction is an abomination and the welfare of children should always be protected. However the UK delegation could not support the EU acting as a ‘state’ in adopting the competence to force other Member States into accepting the accession of countries to the Convention. Member States should ensure that they are happy with the acceding country and then accept that they have adopted the Convention in a manner that meets their expectations.
Accession of Honduras to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0457/2018 - Mary Honeyball)
. ‒ International child abduction is an abomination and the welfare of children should always be protected. However the UK delegation could not support the EU acting as a ‘state’ in adopting the competence to force other Member States into accepting the accession of countries to the Convention. Member States should ensure that they are happy with the acceding country and then accept that they have adopted the Convention in a manner that meets their expectations.
Accession of Belarus and Uzbekistan to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0458/2018 - Mary Honeyball)
. ‒ International child abduction is an abomination and the welfare of children should always be protected. However the UK delegation could not support the EU acting as a ‘state’ in adopting the competence to force other Member States into accepting the accession of countries to the Convention. Member States should ensure that they are happy with the acceding country and then accept that they have adopted the Convention in a manner that meets their expectations.
Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the EU, Greenland and Denmark (A8-0480/2018 - Maurice Ponga)
I have voted against this non-legislative report. This is money being used to allow the EU to set an agenda and influence Member States’ Overseas Countries and Territories. Sustaining and funding Overseas Countries and Territories should be the responsibility of the nation state, which is why I have voted against.
Annual report 2017 on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests- fight against fraud (A8-0003/2019 - Marian-Jean Marinescu)
I voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report. I support many of the themes within the text such as the concern for the widespread fraud and error rate in the EU budget, the calls for action to combat this and further measures for transparency. However, a lot of the report also contained calls for harmonised customs checks across the EU, more resources for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, more control of VAT at EU level and the encouragement of infringement procedures against the UK for billions of pounds.
Harmonisation of gross national income at market prices (GNI Regulation) (A8-0009/2018 - Roberto Gualtieri)
. ‒ This legislation seeks to harmonise the calculation of Gross National Income which is itself a factor in the calculation of member States’ contributions to the EU budget, the harmonisation would undoubtedly lead to increased figures for GNI for the United Kingdom and with it increased contributions to the EU, accordingly we voted against.
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: genetically modified oilseed rapes Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3 (B8-0073/2019)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: genetically modified maize 5307 (SYN-Ø53Ø7-1) (B8-0074/2019)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: genetically modified cotton GHB614 × LLCotton25 × MON 15985 (B8-0076/2019)
Protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States (A8-0469/2018 - Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Petri Sarvamaa)
. – I voted against this first-reading legislative proposal. The proposal is to allow the Commission to suspend EU funding being given to those Member States it believes have broken the ‘rule of law’. What this means is that the Commission is being given more weapons to attack Member States it doesn’t politically agree with. What is worse is the procedure by which the Commission can suspend the funding. Once the Commission has put forward a proposal, the EU Council has only a month to respond and can only reject or amend by Qualified Majority Voting. This means that it doesn’t need every country to agree to get this fast-tracked proposal passed. I voted against as this gives the unelected Commission more powers to attack countries like Poland and Hungary, while pro-EU governments like Spain will no doubt be left alone.
Establishing the Rights and Values programme (A8-0468/2018 - Bodil Valero)
. – I have voted against this legislative report that seeks to spend EUR 1.6 bn of taxpayers’ money on organisations that promote ‘EU’ values. More specifically, I strongly oppose the spending of EUR 443 million on the ‘Active Citizenship’ strand of the programme that is, as stated in the text, going to be spent promoting the supposed successes of the Union and fostering a sense of European identity. This is clearly an enormous waste of taxpayers’ money and for this reason I have voted against this report.
European Instrument for Nuclear Safety complementing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (A8-0448/2018 - Vladimir Urutchev)
Combating late payment in commercial transactions (A8-0456/2018 - Lara Comi)
. – I have voted against this non-legislative, own-initiative report. Though the aims of the report are positive, I believe that Member States are capable of legislating in their own capacity and that there is no need for a Europe-wide harmonisation of rules. I have also abstained on amendments 1, 2 and 3 as they aim to support SMEs.
Ombudsman’s strategic inquiry OI/2/2017 on the transparency of legislative discussions in the preparatory bodies of the Council of the EU (A8-0420/2018 - Jo Leinen, Yana Toom)
. – We welcome the existence of the Ombudsman as this serves as an independent check on the EU institutions. It also gives ordinary citizens a means to challenge mistreatment by the institutions. This report was filled with critical language which we agree with, however the overall acceptance of the EU’s legitimacy means we abstained.
EU-Morocco Agreement on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement (Resolution) (A8-0478/2018 - Marietje Schaake)
. – We believe that trade between Morocco and the EU is important for both parties. This deal was heavily contingent upon Morocco promising to help prevent illegal migrants from reaching Europe via Morocco. We hope that Morocco upholds its promise to assist with preventing migrants reaching Europe via its territory.
EU-Morocco Agreement on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement (A8-0471/2018 - Marietje Schaake)
. – We believe that trade between Morocco and the EU is important for both parties. This deal was heavily contingent upon Morocco promising to help prevent illegal migrants from reaching Europe via Morocco. We hope that Morocco upholds its promise to assist with preventing migrants reaching Europe via its territory.
EU-China Agreement in connection with the WTO dispute settlement proceedings DS492 - Measures affecting tariff concessions on certain poultry meat products (A8-0472/2018 - Iuliu Winkler)
. – We have concerns about poultry methods used in China, and we feel that consumers in the UK have the right to be safe. The outbreak of bird flu in Asia several years ago shows that our fears are not without basis in scientific fact. We look forward to the Chinese authorities eventually introducing safe farming methods.
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) (A8-0445/2018 - Maria Arena)
. – I voted against this legislation. I am opposed to EU level intervention in the economies of Member States. EU spending is most often wasteful and ineffectual. Economic policies, including reactions to the restructuring of economies as a result of changing global and national trends through technology, etc., should remain firmly within the responsibility of national governments.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (A8-0461/2018 - Verónica Lope Fontagné)
. – I voted against this legislation. I am opposed to the creation of yet another EU fund that masquerades as beneficial but ultimately leads to EU intervention in the internal affairs of Member States and consolidates Member State policies around EU priorities and policies. EU spending is unnecessary and often ineffectual. Social and employment policies should remain firmly within the remit of the democratically elected governments of the Member States.
Specific provisions for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) (A8-0470/2018 - Pascal Arimont)
. – I voted against this legislative, first reading report. I do not agree with the use of EU funds nor funding mechanisms, as they take control of finances away from Member States, and this report could lead to increased spending due to its simplification of funding rules. I voted against all of the committee amendments as many of them seek to increase the scope of the legislation. We also voted in favour of amendments 201 and 200 because they wish to provide Member States with more flexibility in their own spending, and make a point of telling the Commission what investments shall be included as part of the budget.
Apportionment of tariff rate quotas included in the WTO schedule of the Union following the UK's withdrawal from the EU (A8-0361/2018 - Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl)
. – I look forward to mutually beneficial trade between the UK and the EU once Brexit has been completed. I note that talks on WTO tariff rate quotas are proceeding using methodology agreed by both parties. I applaud this mature negotiation stance, and hope that a suitable solution can be reached. I hope it can be applied to all areas of EU-UK Brexit negotiation.
Union’s authorisation procedure for pesticides (A8-0475/2018 - Norbert Lins, Bart Staes)
. – Today I abstained on this own initiative report. I believe the use of pesticides is a very complex and sensitive issue, which deserve fully independent, objective and transparent scientific assessment. I also believe in the special protection that general public and vulnerable groups deserve in this regard.
Establishing a dedicated financial programme for decommissioning of nuclear facilities and management of radioactive waste (A8-0441/2018 - Peter Kouroumbashev)
Implementation report on the trade pillar of the Association Agreement with Central America (A8-0459/2018 - Reimer Böge)
Establishing the InvestEU Programme (A8-0482/2018 - José Manuel Fernandes, Roberto Gualtieri)
. – I voted against this 1st reading legislative proposal. The proposal is to create a new investment programme by setting up an EU level guarantee of EUR 40 billion (creating a cash pot of EUR 16 billion) which the private sector can use to apply for grants, loans and support from other financial institutions for all sorts of different projects. Also a separate budget of EUR 525 million will be created to fund the technical and administrative operation of this new fund. I oppose this proposal as I believe only elected national governments should spend taxpayers’ money, not unaccountable EU institutions.
EU Emergency Travel Document (A8-0433/2018 - Kinga Gál)
. – I voted against this non-legislative report that seeks to update the features of the EU emergency travel document. This document is celebrated as a symbol of European citizenship as it can be issued by ‘EU embassies’ overseas. The granting of this document should, however, be a competency of a sovereign overseas embassy, as it should choose, if any, the nations that it would be willing to co-operate with. As this is further progression towards the European project, I voted against this report.
Euratom Research and Training programme 2021- 2025 (A8-0406/2018 - Miapetra Kumpula-Natri)
. – Today, I voted against this report. I am in favour of the use of nuclear energy in Europe and in favour of maintaining existing reactors. I am also in favour of increasing the direct participation of the elected EU Parliament in nuclear legislative decisions hence limiting the authority of the unelected EU Commission. However, I am against the financial implication of this project and against EU interference in Member States’ decisions.
Implementation of the EU-Colombia and Peru Trade Agreement (A8-0446/2018 - Santiago Fisas Ayxelà)
. – We support free trade and note the benefits both the EU and Colombia/Peru have received from it. We feel that free trade is a means to combat poverty and to improve relations between nations. We note the attempts of leftist groups to spoil this by attaching non-political clauses to the terms of these deals. We feel trade should be free from political interference.
Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2017 (A8-0466/2018 - Josep-Maria Terricabras)
. – I have voted against this non-legislative report that criticises the situation of fundamental rights in Member States. Whilst I respect the need for all nations to uphold fundamental rights, many points in this report breach the EU’s role in respecting the sovereignty of Member States to act accordingly to protect these rights.
Establishing, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the instrument for financial support for customs control equipment (A8-0460/2018 - Jiří Pospíšil)
Conclusion of the EU-Albania status agreement on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Albania (A8-0463/2018 - Bodil Valero)
. – I voted against this legislative report on the conclusion of an agreement between the EU and Albania. I am opposed to any agreement that enhances the mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard. More specifically, I am strongly opposed to any proposal to deploy agency members on the territory of a third country.
Protocol to the EU-Kyrgyzstan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (accession of Croatia) (A8-0443/2018 - Cristian Dan Preda)
. – I voted against this consent procedure. I am opposed both to the development of an EU foreign policy through the signing of such third-party agreements and to further accession to the European Union. I cannot, therefore, support a technical update to an existing agreement acknowledging such expansion.
Temporary withdrawal of preferences in certain agreements concluded between the EU and certain third countries (A8-0330/2018 - Christofer Fjellner)
Establishing the 'Customs' programme for cooperation in the field of customs (A8-0464/2018 - Maria Grapini)
Gender mainstreaming in the European Parliament (A8-0429/2018 - Angelika Mlinar)
. – I voted against this non-legislative, non—binding report. This report had various calls for gender quotas – to which I am opposed – from gender parity on electoral lists for the European elections to the suggestion of two co—presidents for each political group: one male, the other female. As well as calling for positions to be awarded to the under-represented gender, it calls for heads of unit positions to be re-advertised if they do not fulfil the requirements of having at least one male and one female candidate. All positions at any level ought to be based on merit and not gender.
EU guidelines and the mandate of the EU Special Envoy on the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU (A8-0449/2018 - Andrzej Grzyb)
. – I voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. Whilst I agree with the basic principles behind the initiative I am opposed to European Union action abroad. It is unnecessary and represents the development of an EU foreign policy which should be within the remit of independent and sovereign states.
Gender equality and taxation policies in the EU (A8-0416/2018 - Marisa Matias, Ernest Urtasun)
. – I voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report. This report called for gender mainstreaming to be included in the next MFF, for the implementation of gender budgeting, and called for EU interference in the tax systems of national governments. Such things I believe should not be dictated at EU level but at the discretion of each individual national government.
Transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union (A8-0355/2018 - Enrique Calvet Chambon)
UKIP voted against this legislative decision. We do not recognise the European Union’s authority to legislate for the Member States. The framework through which legislation is created within the European Union is fundamentally undemocratic. We oppose the interinstitutional negotiation process as it is non-transparent.
Rail passengers' rights and obligations (A8-0340/2018 - Bogusław Liberadzki)
UKIP abstained on this report because it is important to ensure that the rights of those passengers who are disabled or have difficulty with mobility are always safeguarded. However the problem is that the rights of passengers should not be something that is dictated by the EU. Matters of such importance should be dealt with at Member State level.
Care services in the EU for improved gender equality (A8-0352/2018 - Sirpa Pietikäinen)
UKIP voted against this non—legislative, non—binding report. Although we fully support the aiding of care services, as well as encourage men and women to enter labour market. This report called for the implementation of more EU directives and legislation, more EU investment and more harmonised definitions. It further suggested that social security contributions ought to be borderless, so that contributions made in a Member State of origin, could be utilised by the same person in another Member State. Such we believe should only be agreed bilaterally between individual Member States, this is not for the EU to enforce. Overall, we do not believe that care services should be conducted at EU level, but at national level.
Interim report on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 – Parliament's position with a view to an agreement (A8-0358/2018 - Jan Olbrycht, Isabelle Thomas, Janusz Lewandowski, Gérard Deprez)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this non-legislative report setting out Parliament’s position on the MFF negotiations. The Commission proposal is to set the future MFF at EUR 1.2 trillion, with increases for defence spending and EU administration budgets. Parliament’s proposal is to increase this further to over EUR 1.4 trillion. As it is likely that the UK will still be making contributions towards the future MFF, UKIP voted against this as we oppose unaccountable EU institutions spending British taxpayers’ money.
Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (A8-0335/2018 - Sabine Lösing)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We are opposed to the EU Common Position as it has an undue influence on the foreign policy and industry of the United Kingdom. We are also concerned by proposals to increase the use of qualified majority voting in more foreign affairs matters. The UK has its own standards to meet for arms exports and ultimately decisions of foreign policy and industry must be made by our own democratically-elected government.
Need for a comprehensive Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights mechanism (B8-0523/2018, B8-0524/2018)
Implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement (A8-0320/2018 - Andrejs Mamikins)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. EU foreign policy has contributed to the destabilisation of security in Eastern Europe. The security situation in Georgia is extremely sensitive and the EU has proved itself to be institutionally incapable of managing such complex foreign policy. We are opposed to the development of an EU foreign policy and as such are opposed to all association agreements signed between the European Union and third countries.
Implementation of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement (A8-0322/2018 - Petras Auštrevičius)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. EU foreign policy has contributed to the destabilisation of security in Eastern Europe. The security situation in Moldova is extremely sensitive and the EU has proved itself to be institutionally incapable of managing such complex foreign policy. We are opposed to the development of an EU foreign policy and as such are opposed to all association agreements signed between the European Union and third countries.
Humanitarian visas (A8-0328/2018 - Juan Fernando López Aguilar)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP rejects any attempts by the EU to control migration policies. Moreover, UKIP opposes the suggestion in this report that Member States who issue these visas should be compensated out of the EU budget and, therefore, at the expense of the other Member States.UKIP believes that it is the sole right of a nation state to be able to control its borders and manage migration. We believe that if a nation wishes to offer this type of visa, it should be enacted in their national law under a mandate given to them by their electorate.
Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Latvia (A8-0357/2018 - Inese Vaidere)
UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal to give over EUR 17.7 million to Latvia. While UKIP of course sympathises with the people of Latvia due to the awful weather conditions and to the flooding that has caused so much destruction, we object on principle when unelected EU institutions spend British taxpayersʼ money. Only our own elected and accountable national government should decide how our money is spent on this type of foreign aid.
EU development assistance in the field of education (A8-0327/2018 - Vincent Peillon)
UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP fully supports the right for all children to have access to basic education. UKIP MEPs are opposed, however, to calls for Member States to increase their budgets in this sector and to outline minimum targets for spending. UKIP believes that a sovereign state has the right to decide on its foreign aid budget.
Minimum standards for minorities in the EU (A8-0353/2018 - József Nagy)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP fully supports the rights of minorities and believes that the UK already has incredibly high standards of protection for minority groups. However, UKIP opposes calls in this report for standards to be included in an EU pact for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. Moreover, UKIP believes that protecting minorities is best dealt with at Member State level, rather than by the EU, as the situation of minorities differs greatly between Member States.
Digitalisation for development: reducing poverty through technology (A8-0338/2018 - Bogdan Brunon Wenta)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP believes that improving technology in developing countries is one way to reduce poverty. UKIP MEPs oppose, however, calls for Member States and the EU to increase their funding in this sector. UKIP believes that it is the right of a sovereign state to decide its foreign aid budget.
Unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the food supply chain (A8-0309/2018 - Paolo De Castro)
We oppose the legislation and therefore it going for negotiation because – although there could be good legislation to secure proper competition, contractual symmetry and equivalence, this is absolutely not it - instead we have archetypal, EU protectionist corporatism and perverse behavioural economics of the very worst kind - which is extended well beyond SMEs to even the largest of global behemoths.
Authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use (A8-0035/2016 - Claudiu Ciprian Tănăsescu)
Veterinary medicinal products (A8-0046/2016 - Françoise Grossetête)
UKIP abstained on this legislative report. UKIP believe in the importance of improving access to medicinal products and make them more widely available; reduce the administrative burden; promote innovation and competitiveness within the sector. However, UKIP believe that such topic should be regulated by Member States’ national Parliaments.
Manufacture, placing on the market and use of medicated feed (A8-0075/2016 - Clara Eugenia Aguilera García)
Charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (A8-0202/2018 - Christine Revault d'Allonnes Bonnefoy)
UKIP voted against this legislative report because it will increase the level of admin expected from hauliers. Eventually it will lead to heavy goods vehicle drivers requiring a personal assistant and a filing cabinet in their cabs just to deal with the extra red tape. Furthermore, the report insists that the monies that are acquired through the charging of heavy goods vehicles must be used on infrastructure. This goes against the concept of subsidiarity.
Rise of neo-fascist violence in Europe (RC-B8-0481/2018, B8-0481/2018, B8-0482/2018, B8-0483/2018, B8-0486/2018, B8-0488/2018)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative resolution. UKIP deplore and condemn neo-fascist ideologies, organisations and any acts of violence committed by these groups. Moreover, UKIP also vehemently oppose the use of violence for political gain by any organisation, regardless of their political leaning. UKIP MEPs voted against this resolution, therefore, because it failed to condemn all political violence, notably excluding the rise in far-left violence and the rise in Islamist extremism in Europe. UKIP MEPs also voted against this report as it calls for consolidated EU action to tackle this issue; we believe that this issue varies drastically between Member States and that they are therefore in the best position to tackle these issues.
Animal welfare, antimicrobial use and the environmental impact of industrial broiler farming (B8-0484/2018, B8-0484/2018, B8-0485/2018, B8-0487/2018, B8-0489/2018)
Employment and social policies in the euro area (A8-0329/2018 - Krzysztof Hetman)
The use of Facebook users’ data by Cambridge Analytica and the impact on data protection (B8-0480/2018)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative resolution. Whilst UKIP are in favour of strong data protection rules, UKIP believe this resolution is yet another attack on Facebook and Cambridge Analytica to enhance the claim that the Brexit result was won, or strongly influenced, by foreign forces. Moreover, UKIP MEPs oppose the suspension of the Privacy Shield agreement which would cause major disruption to companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul (RC-B8-0498/2018, B8-0498/2018, B8-0499/2018, B8-0500/2018, B8-0501/2018, B8-0503/2018, B8-0505/2018, B8-0508/2018)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We are concerned by the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and the role both Saudi Arabia and Turkey are playing in the Middle East. However we do not believe that the EU should have any capacity in foreign affairs and that international relations should be conducted by sovereign states in appropriate international fora.
Situation in Venezuela (RC-B8-0351/2018, B8-0351/2018, B8-0502/2018, B8-0504/2018, B8-0506/2018, B8-0507/2018, B8-0509/2018)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We are concerned by the situation and the terrible cost of the government’s Socialist policies on the people of Venezuela. However we do not believe that the EU should have any capacity in foreign affairs and that international relations should be conducted by sovereign states in appropriate international fora.
Promoting automatic mutual recognition of diplomas (B8-0492/2018)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative motion for resolution calling for the mutual recognition of diplomas. The EU want this to coincide with the creation of a European Education Area, despite the existence of the Council of Europe voluntary group, the European Higher Education Area.The UK Government already has a system in place called NARIC, National Agency for the Recognition and Comparison of International Qualifications, and there is also a UN Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region, which has existed since 1979.We believe it is for National Governments to conduct their education schemes how they wish, and unnecessary to have a similar recognition system set up at EU level.
Deployment of infrastructure for alternative fuels in the EU: time to act! (A8-0297/2018 - Ismail Ertug)
Harnessing globalisation: trade aspects (A8-0319/2018 - Joachim Schuster)
We oppose the attempts of the EU to use trade as a political weapon. Whilst we support free trade, we believe the EU’s needless attempts to attach non-trade related demands and clauses to trade agreements is bad. This sours relationships with trade partners, and is unacceptable in a world economy that depends on good will and free trade.
General budget of the European Union for 2019 - all sections (A8-0313/2018 - Daniele Viotti, Paul Rübig)
UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal to set the EU budget 2019. UKIP will vote in favour of all cuts and against all increases. The Commission proposal for 2019 is to have the EU budget set at EUR 166 billion (a 3% increase on last year). The Council proposal is to set the 2019 EU budget at EUR 164.1 billion (a 2.09% increase on last year). The EU Parliament’s position was to have even larger increases. The proposal now goes into negotiations for a final conciliation agreement vote later in the year. UKIP opposes unaccountable EU institutions spending taxpayers’ money.
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European Council and Council (A8-0300/2018 - Marco Valli)
. ‒ UKIP voted for this proposal to refuse discharge for the Council. In the discharge procedure, the European Parliament looks through the individual budgets of every EU institution to give a positive or negative opinion. The Council, historically, has challenged the competence of Parliament to do this and does not cooperate with the procedure. UKIP opposes the continuation of all EU institutions and agencies, because of their cost to the British taxpayer. In the case of the Council, we believe they should submit themselves to extra scrutiny and transparency in respect of their budget.
Launch of automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Ireland (A8-0344/2018 - Branislav Škripek)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs abstained on this non-legislative report. UKIP fully supports cooperation between nations to combat serious crime and terrorism, but it opposes such cooperation being facilitated by the European Union. UKIP would prefer these agreements to be concluded bilaterally between sovereign nations.
Launch of automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Ireland (A8-0343/2018 - Branislav Škripek)
Launch of automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Croatia (A8-0345/2018 - Branislav Škripek)
Reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (A8-0317/2018 - Frédérique Ries)
Establishment, operation and use of the Schengen Information System in the field of border checks (A8-0347/2017 - Carlos Coelho)
UKIP MEPs have abstained on this legislative first reading report. UKIP believe that the updated SIS for border checks will help to combat illegal migration into the Union and therefore make it harder for illegal migrants to reach the United Kingdom. However as this is EU legislation, and it does not directly affect the UK, it was more suitable to abstain on this report.
Use of the Schengen Information System for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals (A8-0348/2017 - Jeroen Lenaers)
UKIP MEPs have abstained on this legislative first reading report. UKIP believe that the updated SIS for returning illegally staying third-country nationals will help to speed up deportations of those who are in the Union’s territory illegally. Moreover, as many of these illegal migrants attempt to enter the UK from EU territory, this legislation should assist the UK in tackling illegal migration. However as this is EU legislation, and it does not directly affect the UK, it was more suitable to abstain on this report.
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: Renewing the authorisation for genetically modified maize NK603 × MON 810 (B8-0490/2018)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: Authorisation for genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × 1507 × MON 88017 × 59122 (B8-0491/2018)
Discharge 2016: European Asylum Support Office (EASO) (A8-0299/2018 - Bart Staes)
. ‒ UKIP voted against granting discharge to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). The discharge procedure is the process whereby the European Parliament looks through the individual budgets of every EU institution to give a positive or negative opinion. In the case of the EASO, there have been a number of budget problems, with a high incidence of irregularity of payments, as well as accusations that upper management used bullying tactics, which led to the Executive Director stepping down and to the EASO being investigated by OLAF. UKIP opposes the continuation of all EU institutions and agencies, on account of their cost to the British taxpayer.
EU-Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis Agreement on the short-stay visa waiver (A8-0306/2018 - Emilian Pavel)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2018/002 PT/Norte – Centro – Lisboa wearing apparel (A8-0311/2018 - José Manuel Fernandes)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal as it will give over EUR 4.6 million to 730 workers who have lost their jobs in the Portugal. The money will be spent on support services such as job search and counselling. UKIP is against as we oppose British taxpayers’ money being spent by unaccountable EU institutions as dole for poor economic decisions in other countries.
Quality of water intended for human consumption (A8-0288/2018 - Michel Dantin)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this legislative report. UKIP support the idea of universal accessibility to water as well as the focus given by this report on most vulnerable people and their difficulties accessing water. However, UKIP believe the EU Commission should not legislate on this issue - it should be exclusive competence of National Parliaments.
Resources for economic, social and territorial cohesion and resources for the investment for growth and jobs goal (A8-0282/2018 - Iskra Mihaylova)
The role of employee financial participation in creating jobs and reactivating the unemployed (A8-0293/2018 - Renate Weber)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. Whilst we are sympathetic to some of the issues raised within this report, ultimately, economic policies should be determined solely by the Member States. This report contains numerous calls for the Commission to involve itself in Member State policy, which we cannot support.
Public procurement strategy package (A8-0229/2018 - Carlos Coelho)
Mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders (A8-0001/2018 - Nathalie Griesbeck)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative report. UKIP oppose EU wide mutual recognition practices as it presumes that Member States all have adequate and similar judicial standards. This legislation will lead to UK courts being bound by decisions made in foreign courts and therefore will further erode the sovereignty of Member States judicial systems.
Free flow of non-personal data in the European Union (A8-0201/2018 - Anna Maria Corazza Bildt)
Situation in Yemen (RC-B8-0444/2018, B8-0444/2018, B8-0445/2018, B8-0446/2018, B8-0447/2018, B8-0448/2018, B8-0449/2018, B8-0450/2018)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We are concerned about the ongoing developments in Yemen and the role UK Government policy is potentially playing. However we cannot support EU initiative or action. We especially reject the attempted use of the EU Common Position on Arms Exports to tie the hands of the government. Policy decisions should be taken by the democratically elected British Government, not Brussels.
Fighting customs fraud and protecting EU own resources (B8-0400/2018)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding resolution. The resolution was in two parts. The first part called for the EU to take more powers away from Member States over customs and VAT. For example, it called for an EU legal framework for customs infringements and sanctions; to harmonise the way VAT is collected and paid across the EU; to transfer customs responsibilities from national authorities to an EU level. However, the heart of this resolution was to attack the UK. The Commission has opened an infringement procedure, which the resolution supports based on disputed data, against the UK to recoup 2.9 billion euros. What this really is about is squeezing every penny out of the UK for any old reason before Brexit.
VAT: period of application of the reverse charge mechanism and of the Quick Reaction Mechanism (A8-0283/2018 - Sirpa Pietikäinen)
Administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties as regards the content of electronic register (A8-0285/2018 - Ivana Maletić)
UKIP supports sensible cross-border arrangements for warehousing goods, and those before MEPs are of a kind which might assist frictionless trade in a UK-EU Free Trade Agreement, but the measures further entrench the EU into the UK – hence the abstention. In any event, the vote is merely consultative and not binding on the Commission or Council.
Health technology assessment (A8-0289/2018 - Soledad Cabezón Ruiz)
Emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles (A8-0287/2018 - Miriam Dalli)
International Financial Reporting Standards: IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (B8-0442/2018)
Distributed ledger technologies and blockchains: building trust with disintermediation (B8-0397/2018)
EU Agenda for Rural, Mountainous and Remote Areas (B8-0399/2018)
Third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (A8-0290/2018 - Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg)
UKIP voted against. This codification is suggesting a change in the wording relating to the suspension of a visa requirement that a third country has imposed on a Member State of the EU. The proposed codification is looking to remove ʻwhen adopting a delegated act the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member Stateʼ. The proposal is that Article 7(f) should not refer to Article 10(5), as previously mentioned, but instead to Article 10(7), whereby the exemption from the visa waiver enters into force if there is no objection from the European Parliament or the Council. The Commission, in our opinion, should always seek the advice of experts from Member States when making decisions of this nature.
EU-Morocco Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: terms and conditions for the participation of Morocco in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (A8-0281/2018 - Aldo Patriciello)
EU-Canada air transport agreement (A8-0254/2018 - Francisco Assis)
UKIP voted to abstain. The agreement includes a gradual phasing-in of traffic rights and investment opportunities, as well as far-reaching cooperation on a number of issues including safety, security, social matters, consumer interests, environment, air traffic management, state aids and competition. All EU airlines will be able to operate direct flights to Canada from anywhere in Europe. The agreement removes all restrictions on routes, prices, or the number of weekly flights between Canada and the EU. Airlines will be free to enter into commercial arrangements such as code-share agreements, which are important for airlines serving large number of destinations, and to establish their tariffs in line with competition law.
Inclusion of the Italian municipality of Campione d’Italia and the Italian waters of Lake Lugano in the customs territory of the Union (A8-0284/2018 - Roberto Gualtieri)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2018/001 NL/Financial service activities (A8-0294/2018 - Ivana Maletić)
UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal as it will give over EUR 1.1 million to 450 workers who have lost their jobs in the Netherlands. The money will be spent on support services such as job search and counselling. UKIP is against as we oppose British taxpayers’ money being spent by unaccountable EU institutions as dole for poor economic decisions in other countries.
Provision of audiovisual media services (A8-0192/2017 - Sabine Verheyen, Petra Kammerevert)
UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative report. We oppose the legislation’s expansion of the directive to further regulate on-demand services, as well as to social media services and video-sharing platforms. Furthermore, we are against the call for a 30 % quota on European works to be visible in the catalogue of a media service.Moreover, we oppose the addition of optional levies, for media services to contribute financially to national funds, despite being established in a different Member State. This EU legislation expands the scope of the current directive, and we believe such decisions should be at the discretion of the individual Member States and should not be conducted at EU level.
Draft Amending Budget No 5/2018: cancellation of the reserve related to the support to Turkey from the Instrument for Pre-Accession and reinforcement of the European Neighbourhood Instrument and of the Humanitarian Aid for orther urgent actions (A8-0292/2018 - Siegfried Mureşan)
. ‒ UKIP abstained on this budgetary proposal. The proposal is to take away EUR 70 million (commitments) and EUR 35 million (payments) from Turkey’s pre-accession funding reserve and reallocate it to other EU budgets. While UKIP supports taking money away from Turkey, we oppose it being transferred to increase spending in other EU policies.
Copyright in the Digital Single Market (A8-0245/2018 - Axel Voss)
. – UKIP voted against. It is important that this Directive is debated during a full session of the Parliament; it should not be negotiated behind closed doors. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that the texts relating to Article 11 and 13 and duly amended to take into account the requirements of both business and the public.
Launch of automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Croatia (A8-0225/2018 - Jaromír Štětina)
Financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (A8-0211/2017 - Ingeborg Gräßle, Richard Ashworth)
. – UKIP abstained on this 1st reading legislative proposal. This proposal is to overhaul the financial rules on the use and oversight of EU spending. It is a very complicated piece of legislation, with good and bad elements to it. The good aspects are the parts of the proposal which bring in more transparency, accountability, audits and controls on how EU money is spent. The bad parts are the strengthening of EU financial instruments are ways for the EU to spend money beyond normal budgetary ceilings. Also there will be greater moves to harmonise laws and audits at EU level. The UK government couldn’t provide a brief or position to take on this proposal either. UKIP abstained as we support moves for greater transparency of taxpayers’ money, but we can’t support further harmonisation at EU level.
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS): Europol tasks (A8-0323/2017 - Kinga Gál)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative first reading report. UKIP do not support a harmonised EU external border policy which helps to maintain the functioning of the Schengen Area. This legislation also further enhances the role of Europol and we do not support legislation that give further powers to EU law enforcement agencies.
European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (A8-0404/2017 - Monica Macovei)
2019 budget - Trilogue mandate (A8-0247/2018 - Daniele Viotti)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative report. Although not binding, it does set the position ahead of the EU Parliament for the EU budget 2019 negotiations with the Council. The Commission has put forward a proposal which will increase the EU budget by 3.1%, setting it at over EUR 165 billion for 2019, which will then travel to the Council and Parliament for further negotiation and amendments. This report was a shopping list asking for more budget increases, scrapping staff reduction targets and calling for more EU bodies to be set up. It also mentions Brexit by saying: ‘points out that the UK has committed to normal budget contributions until 2020’. UKIP opposes any UK budget contributions and increases in the EU budget.
73rd Session of the UN General Assembly (A8-0230/2018 - Eugen Freund)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We completely reject the development of an EU foreign policy and their attempts to influence international diplomacy and policy at the United Nations. The Common Foreign and Security Policy as well as Articles 24(3) and 34 of the Lisbon Treaty severely infringe on the ability of Member States to exercise their interests. This particularly affects the UK and France as permanent members of the UN Security Council. We believe Member States have a right to sovereignty regarding their foreign policy which is stripped away by the EU and reject both this and attempts to align the UK with the EU’s foreign policy post-Brexit.
The migration crisis and humanitarian situation in Venezuela and at its borders (RC-B8-0315/2018, B8-0315/2018, B8-0316/2018, B8-0317/2018, B8-0318/2018, B8-0319/2018, B8-0320/2018, B8-0321/2018)
Guidelines for Member States to prevent humanitarian assistance being criminalised (B8-0314/2018)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative resolution. UKIP MEPs believe that criminal law is a sovereign right of a nation state, as is the ability for a nation to control its own borders. UKIP also see this resolution as a direct attack on the democratically elected Hungarian Government which has recently delivered manifesto promises into law.
Adequacy of the protection afforded by the EU-US Privacy Shield (B8-0305/2018)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative resolution. Whilst UKIP MEPs appreciate that citizens’ confidence with how businesses handle citizens’ data has been tested recently, UKIP do not believe the best solution is to suspend the Privacy Shield agreement. The suspension of this agreement would, no doubt, have a detrimental impact on the many businesses who legitimately process data in accordance with the agreement.
The adverse effects of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act on EU citizens (B8-0306/2018)
. – UKIP is against extra-territorial jurisdiction (and therefore disapproves in this regard of the attempts of both the USA and the EU to extend their jurisdiction overseas) but, moreover, it is not the place of the EU to seek to interfere in sovereign tax matters and accordingly UKIP voted against this attempt by the EU to do so.
Statute for social and solidarity-based enterprises (A8-0231/2018 - Jiří Maštálka)
. – UKIP voted against. This report was looking to standardise the legal forms required when setting up a social-based enterprise. It also calls for the establishment of a reward whereby if the enterprise meets all the legal requirements when it is set up, it will qualify for this award; it is similar to the British kite mark, but European. The people who will be responsible for financing this will be the EU and Member States, therefore more money wasted.
Structural Reform Support Programme: financial envelope and general objective (A8-0227/2018 - Ruža Tomašić)
Partnership Agreement between the EU and EAEC and Armenia (resolution) (A8-0179/2018 - László Tőkés)
EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (resolution) (A8-0224/2018 - Tokia Saïfi)
EU-New Zealand Agreement relating to the modification of concessions (accession of Croatia) (A8-0220/2018 - Daniel Caspary)
. – We voted in favour of this as we recognise it is a tidying-up exercise intended to reflect the fact that Croatia has joined the EU since certain international agreements were made. This means that Croatia must be added to these agreements to reflect a more accurate and legal representation of these agreements. We have no objection to such technical tidying-up exercises, so supported this.
Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank: clearing and payment systems (A8-0219/2018 - Gabriel Mato, Danuta Maria Hübner)
Vehicle taxation: charging of heavy good vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (A8-0200/2018 - Deirdre Clune)
Draft amending budget No 2/2018: Entering the surplus of the financial year 2017 (A8-0209/2018 - Siegfried Mureşan)
. – UKIP voted in favour of this budgetary proposal. The proposal was to transfer over EUR 500 million of spare money from the 2017 EU budget in to this year’s budget. The money would be solely used to reduce the amount Member States have to contribute. Whilst we oppose the wording of the resolution which accompanied it, the binding part of the proposal would reduce the amount the UK would have to give to the EU this year.
Draft amending budget No 3/2018: Extension of the Facility for refugees in Turkey (A8-0246/2018 - Siegfried Mureşan)
. – UKIP voted in against this budgetary proposal. The proposal was to transfer EUR 500 million to reinforce this EU refugee programme. Although this money would not mean the UK would have to give more money to the EU (as it was being transferred from budget lines available within the current EU budget), UKIP opposes sending taxpayers’ money to Turkey and we oppose this EU refugee programme in principle.
EU guarantee to the EIB against losses under financing operations supporting investment projects outside the Union, as regards Iran (B8-0313/2018)
. – UKIP tabled and voted in favour of this resolution to object to the Commission ‘delegated decision’ to make Iran eligible for European Investment Bank (EIB) financial support. UKIP opposes the EU granting Iran any kind of financial support, but this proposal in particular could create real diplomatic and political problems. The USA has pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and the EU is trying to become a player on the world stage by trying to keep Iran involved. This is more about EU vanity than solving political problems in the Middle East. When the USA reintroduces sanctions it could very well place them on the EIB which needs the USD market to raise capital, which could lead to default for the bank. The UK government also supports this delegated decision, allying with EU foreign policy against our most important strategic partner.
Towards an EU external strategy against early and forced marriages (A8-0187/2018 - Charles Goerens)
. – UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-bind report. We recognise and empathise with many of the issues raised in the report. However there are consistent calls that interfere with the domestic legislation of Member States and that aim at increasingly centralising Member State policies within the EU.
Negotiations on the EU-Azerbaijan Comprehensive Agreement (A8-0185/2018 - Norica Nicolai)
Enforcement requirements and specific rules for posting drivers in the road transport sector (A8-0206/2018 - Merja Kyllönen)
. – UKIP voted against the resolution. The report is looking for harmonisation across the EU with regard to the rights of drivers in the transport sector. Whilst it is important to ensure that the rights of the drivers are maintained, a one-size-fits-all policy cannot be the way forward when dealing with a great many socio-economic platforms.
Daily and weekly driving times, minimum breaks and rest periods and positioning by means of tachographs (A8-0205/2018 - Wim van de Camp)
. – UKIP voted against the resolution. This report is looking for harmonisation of such rules as when the drivers may return to their homes after completing a job. It is important that work—life balance should prevail; however, such issues really should be at a company level, respecting the laws of the Member State.
Adapting to development in the road transport sector (A8-0204/2018 - Ismail Ertug)
. – UKIP voted against the resolution. This report touched on cabotage, which is an extremely emotive subject, not only for the Member States but also for the companies who utilise the practice. It can be very difficult and dangerous to impose legislation across the board when there is no uniformed best practice to adhere to.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Jordan Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0232/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP has serious reservations about the lack of an impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Jordan.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Turkey Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0233/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs voted against this non—legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP has serious reservations about the lack of an impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Turkey.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Israel Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0235/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non—legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP has serious reservations about the lack of impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Israel.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Tunisia Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0237/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP have serious reservations about the lack of impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Tunisia.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Morocco Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0238/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP has serious reservations about the lack of impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Morocco.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Lebanon Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0234/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP has serious reservations about the lack of impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Lebanon.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Egypt Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0236/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non—legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP has serious reservations about the lack of impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Egypt.
Opening of negotiations for an EU-Algeria Agreement on the exchange of personal data for fighting serious crime and terrorism (A8-0239/2018 - Claude Moraes)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non—legislative report. UKIP does not support the European Commission, an unelected body, negotiating agreements with third countries on behalf of the EU. Moreover, UKIP has serious reservations about the lack of impact assessment from the Commission with regard to both the necessity of the agreement and the data protection standards in Algeria.
Extension of the EU-US Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation (A8-0212/2018 - Rolandas Paksas)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/009 FR/Air France (A8-0210/2018 - Alain Lamassoure)
. – UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal. The proposal is to mobilise EUR 9 894 483 for 1 858 workers who have lost their jobs in France. The money will be spent on vocational training, business start-up, and job search and mobility allowances. UKIP opposes the EUʼs using British taxpayers’ money as dole for poor economic decisions in other countries.
Role of cities in the institutional framework of the Union (A8-0203/2018 - Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski)
Three-dimensional printing: intellectual property rights and civil liability (A8-0223/2018 - Joëlle Bergeron)
Violation of rights of indigenous peoples in the world (A8-0194/2018 - Francisco Assis)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We are against attempts to develop an EU foreign policy and against the EU interfering in the domestic affairs of third countries. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is not legally binding and the EU should not be attempting to make it so in its policies. The level of compliance with international agreements is a matter for the third countries concerned, not the European Union.
Climate diplomacy (A8-0221/2018 - Arne Lietz, Jo Leinen)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. UKIP MEPs do not believe that the European Union should attempt to have any role in facilitating or shaping international rules. Member States, not the unelected EU Commission in Brussels, should have the power of making their own policy decisions with regard to domestic climate policy.
Structural and financial barriers in the access to culture (A8-0169/2018 - Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report regarding accessibility to cultural services. Although there are some pertinent points, it is not for the EU to interfere with national tax policies, dictate how much national governments should contribute or invest in cultural services, nor how they should form policy in this area. Furthermore, we oppose calls for increased investment at the expense of the taxpayer; this is for the sole discretion of national governments.
Proportionality test before adoption of new regulation of professions (A8-0395/2017 - Andreas Schwab)
UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative first reading report. We believe that it should be left to Member States to regulate professions, and that it is not the task of the Commission to set a proportionality test. UKIP tabled a rejection amendment to this report, which we voted in favour of, as we believe this legislation should not go ahead.
Use of vehicles hired without drivers for the carriage of goods by road (A8-0193/2018 - Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar)
UKIP voted against this report. It is looking at removing restrictions that Member States have the right to impose. These restrictions include such things as the use of hired goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight above six tonnes and restricting the use of a vehicle which has been hired in a Member State different from the one where the vehicle is.
Decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations: Enforcement requirements and specific rules for posting drivers in the road transport sector (A8-0206/2018 - Merja Kyllönen)
Decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations: Amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 as regards on minimum requirements on maximum daily and weekly driving times, minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods and Regulation (EU) 165/2014 as regards positioning by means of tachographs (A8-0205/2018 - Wim van de Camp)
Decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations Amending Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 and Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 with a view to adapting them to developments in the sector (A8-0204/2018 - Ismail Ertug)
Objection to Commission delegated regulation amending delegated regulation (EU) 2017/118 establishing fisheries conservation measures for the protection of the marine environment in the North Sea (B8-0299/2018)
Georgian occupied territories ten years after the Russian invasion (RC-B8-0275/2018, B8-0275/2018, B8-0276/2018, B8-0277/2018, B8-0278/2018, B8-0279/2018, B8-0285/2018)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative resolution. We do not support the development of an EU foreign policy. Unresolved and frozen conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus are a concern, but we do not think that EU policy or action should or does play any constructive role in resolving these issues. Mediation is a concern for the parties involved supported by more appropriate international regimes.
Negotiations for a new EU-ACP Partnership Agreement (B8-0274/2018)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative motion for resolution. UKIP firmly opposes the current EU-ACP Partnership Agreement, as it is based on the principle of conditionality, which is, in essence, the EU politicising its trade policy with third countries. UKIP believe that the best way to aid developing nations is via improved trade relations, whereas the EU’s insistence on pursuing a trade policy based on conditionality hinders not only the development of these nations, but also consumers in Europe.
Monitoring the application of EU law 2016 (A8-0197/2018 - Kostas Chrysogonos)
UKIP voted against. This report is calling for such things as giving the Parliament basic control over major decisions affecting the EU, Member States and its people, such as decisions to include national budgets and reforms. These issues should remain the sole responsibility of the Member State. The report also goes on to mention its concern over the fact that fiscal measures, such as reductions in national expenditure, have not had the desired effect. This we totally disagree with.
Cohesion policy and the circular economy (A8-0184/2018 - Davor Škrlec)
UKIP have voted against this non-legislative, own initiative report. The report involves using EU funds in order to promote the circular economy. While to objectives of sustainability and reducing waste are important for everyone to work towards, this is not something that should be achieved through EU funding and legislation.
Negotiations on the modernisation of the EU-Chile Association Agreement (A8-0158/2018 - Charles Tannock)
EU-NATO relations (A8-0188/2018 - Ioan Mircea Paşcu)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We are firmly committed in our support of NATO as the primary guarantor of security cooperation and mutual defence in Europe. We are opposed to the militarisation of the European Union and the development of any institutional capacity or EU—led cooperation amongst Member States. Furthermore, we are against any level of EU cooperation with NATO as this risks duplicating and in some cases undermining NATO, negatively impacting security in Europe.
Cyber defence (A8-0189/2018 - Urmas Paet)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. Whilst we recognise the rising significance of cyber—defence for national security, we are firm in our belief that national security is solely a matter for Member States. We do not support the militarisation of the European Union or the development of any EU institutional capacity or EU—led cooperation amongst Member States on issues related to national defence, including cyber—defence. Member States are free, however, to cooperate on a bilateral and multilateral level as well as through NATO if they choose to do so.
Clearing obligation, reporting requirements and risk-mitigation techniques for OTC derivatives and trade repositories (A8-0181/2018 - Werner Langen)
CO2 emissions from and fuel consumption of new heavy-duty vehicles (A8-0010/2018 - Damiano Zoffoli)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative report. EU energy and climate policies are profoundly damaging European economy. EU unilateral climate policy is making Europe non-competitive and it is causing a huge loss of jobs and industries. Companies are forced to take radical decisions, moving offshore to defend themselves from bankruptcy.
Modernisation of education in the EU (A8-0173/2018 - Krystyna Łybacka)
We voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report. Whilst pertinent points were made with regard to education, it is not for the EU to interfere in national curricula, nor dictate how Member States should invest in their education systems. This report called for the promotion of current EU programmes such as Erasmus+, the use of EU funds and for further investment at the expense of the taxpayer, which we oppose. Furthermore, UKIP does not believe in the creation of a European Education Area, particularly when the European Higher Education Area, a voluntary group set up by the Council of Europe, already exists. Finally, as stipulated under Article 165 of the TFEU, education is a Member State competency, therefore we feel strongly that this does not need to be conducted at EU level.
Towards a sustainable and competitive European aquaculture sector (A8-0186/2018 - Carlos Iturgaiz)
Odometer manipulation in motor vehicles: revision of the EU legal framework (A8-0155/2018 - Ismail Ertug)
UKIP voted against. This report was hi-lighting the issues raised through odometer manipulation both in the EU and on vehicles that enter the EU from third countries. The amount of money lost through this fraud is in the billions and needs to be stopped. However, the legislation that is needed to combat this level of fraud is up to the individual Member States to deal with and put in place and it is not for the EU to determine what the correct legislation should be.
Union Civil Protection Mechanism (A8-0180/2018 - Elisabetta Gardini)
UKIP MEPs abstained on this legislative report. UKIP deeply regret all natural disasters that occurred in Europe in the recent years and it is in favour of cooperation among Member States when it comes to exceptional circumstances related to natural disasters. On the other hand, UKIP MEPs are against all budgetary interventions in favour of mass migration and climate change. UKIP is against the proposal of establishing an Erasmus civil protection programme, to strengthen the cooperation that already exists between Member States and are against the creation of a mandatory EU Mechanism that would be imposed at Member States level.
Connecting Europe facility after 2020 (RC-B8-0242/2018, B8-0242/2018, B8-0243/2018, B8-0245/2018, B8-0246/2018, B8-0247/2018)
UKIP voted against. This motion for resolution expressed its wish that the money spent by the Commission is spent wisely, this of course we have no objection to, however in our experience the Commission never spends the taxpayer’s money wisely. The Commission should not be spending the taxpayer’s money at all. Furthermore, an aspect of the report that is of concern is that the Commission is being called on to support the development of dual-use civilian-defence infrastructure along the TEN-T network.
Gender equality and women's empowerment: transforming the lives of girls and women through EU external relations 2016-2020 (A8-0167/2018 - Linda McAvan, Dubravka Šuica)
Implementation of the EU Youth Strategy (A8-0162/2018 - Eider Gardiazabal Rubial)
We voted against this non-legislative non-binding report. Whilst we agree with the principle of boosting employment and opportunities for the youth, this report is calling for the continuation and further promotion of EU youth programmes. As well as calling for further investment and an increase in MFF funding, which we oppose.
Implementation of the Ecodesign Directive (A8-0165/2018 - Frédérique Ries)
Responding to petitions on tackling precariousness and the abusive use of fixed-term contracts (B8-0238/2018)
Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Greece, Spain, France and Portugal (A8-0175/2018 - José Manuel Fernandes)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal. The Solidarity Fund is an EU level fund that provides money for reconstruction and relief of disaster hit areas in Europe. This proposal will give EUR 1.3 million to Greece (earthquake), EUR 3.2 million to Spain (wildfires), EUR 48.9 million to France (hurricanes) and EUR 50.6 million to Portugal (fires). While UKIP of course sympathises with the disaster stricken areas and has no problem with individual countries sending aid and help to other countries for things such as this, we oppose British taxpayers’ money being spent by undemocratic EU institutions as a principle.
Draft amending budget No 1/2018 accompanying the proposal to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Greece, Spain, France and Portugal (C8-0181/2018)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal. This vote is to raise the money for the proposal to give money to disaster stricken areas in Greece, Spain, France and Portugal (totalling EUR 104 million). This draft amending budget will mean every Member State will have to give more money to the EU. While UKIP of course sympathises with the disaster stricken areas and has no problem with individual countries sending aid and help to other countries for things such as this, we oppose British taxpayers’ money being spent by undemocratic EU institutions as a principle.
Protection against dumped and subsidised imports from countries not members of the EU (A8-0182/2018 - Christofer Fjellner)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2018/000 TA 2018 - Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission (A8-0172/2018 - Eider Gardiazabal Rubial)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal. This is to give the Commission an extra EUR 345 000 to spend on administrative operations such as data gathering, information activities and websites to ensure the smooth running for the Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). The EGF is a pot of money at EU level for workers in other countries that have lost their job. UKIP voted against as we oppose British taxpayers’ money being used as dole in other countries.
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: genetically modified maize GA21 (MON-ØØØ21-9) (D056125) (B8-0232/2018)
UKIP abstained on this resolution. UKIP is concerned about sensitive issues such as consumersʼ health, food safety and environmental protection. However, UKIP MEPs believe that the authorisation for the placing on the market of food and feed produced from GA21 genetically modified maize should be taken autonomously by national parliaments.
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: genetically modified maize 1507 × 59122 × MON 810 × NK603, and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events 1507, 59122, MON 810 and NK603 (D056123) (B8-0233/2018)
UKIP abstained on this resolution. UKIP is concerned about sensitive issues such as consumersʼ health, food safety and environmental protection. However, UKIP MEPs believe that decisions on the authorisation for the placing on the market of food and feed produced from genetically modified maize 1507 × 59122 × MON 810 × NK603, and genetically modified maize combining two or three of the single events 1507, 59122, MON 810 and NK603, should be taken autonomously by national parliaments.
The future of food and farming (A8-0178/2018 - Herbert Dorfmann)
Interpretation and implementation of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making (A8-0170/2018 - Pavel Svoboda, Richard Corbett)
UKIP voted against. This report highlighted the main changes negotiated between the different EU institutions along with the changes to the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. The report welcomes the Commission Task Force on Subsidiarity, however this task force is not working towards subsidiarity but against it by highlighting that more matters should be controlled by Brussels such as migration and defence.
2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework and own resources (B8-0239/2018, B8-0240/2018, B8-0241/2018)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative resolution. The MFF proposal is the long term budget setting for the EU. The current proposal foresees spending of over EUR 1.1 trillion, huge budget increases to many EU policies and new income streams for the EU budget (own resources). Hopefully the UK will be leaving the EU so should not be contributing in a meaningful way to this MFF, however it does look like we will be handing EUR 40 billion to the EU due to Brexit which won’t be paid off for decades. UKIP voted against this resolution as we oppose any EU budget increases and extra tax raising powers for the undemocratic EU institutions.
Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative on Libya (A8-0159/2018 - Pier Antonio Panzeri)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We are opposed to the development of any EU capacity in relation to foreign affairs. We view EU action as unnecessary and in many cases damaging. Resolution to the situation in Libya must be found through bilateral support and through appropriate international institutions.
Annual Report on the functioning of the Schengen area (A8-0160/2018 - Carlos Coelho)
Minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime (A8-0168/2018 - Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Angelika Mlinar)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP fully supports the rights for victims of crime to receive support and protection in all countries. UKIP MEPs however oppose the need for this to be harmonised across the EU and therefore reject the attempt by the EU to further interfere in the judicial procedures of Member States.
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Commercial Policy (A8-0166/2018 - Tokia Saïfi)
Statistics of goods transport by inland waterways (codification) (A8-0154/2018 - Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg)
UKIP voted against. This report was making a very slight amendment to the wording of the Commission proposal. Whilst the rapporteur and the committee responsible for proposing the request felt that the wording was not a major deviation from the meaning of the sentence, it appeared that through the removal of the word ‘a’ it would enable the Commission to perform countless cost effective analysis which would be a waste of taxpayers’ money. One careful and considerate cost-effective analysis is required, not numerous ones that could allow the Commission to provide as many as they wish until they achieve the result they want.
EU-Switzerland Agreement on the cumulation of origin between the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Turkey in the framework of the Generalised System of Preferences (A8-0151/2018 - Tiziana Beghin)
EU-Norway Agreement on the cumulation of origin between the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Turkey in the framework of the Generalised System of Preferences (A8-0152/2018 - Tiziana Beghin)
EU-Norway Agreement on administrative cooperation, combating fraud and recovery of claims in the field of Value Added Tax (A8-0147/2018 - Miguel Viegas)
Multiannual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks (A8-0263/2017 - Ulrike Rodust)
Posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (A8-0319/2017 - Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, Agnes Jongerius)
UKIP voted against this legislation. We are opposed to the EU’s interference in the domestic employment and economic standards of Member States. The changes proposed to this legislation do not protect the sovereignty of Member States and any powers to the member state in their implementation of the legislation is met by obligations to compliance with EU institutions.
Sustainable finance (A8-0164/2018 - Molly Scott Cato)
Another attempt to encourage the EU Commission to bring forward legislation that would interfere in the proper functioning of the capital markets and increase the danger of asset bubbles, this time with the intention to ‘channel capital flows towards assets that contribute to sustainable development’, accordingly UKIP voted against.
The 2017 EU Justice Scoreboard (A8-0161/2018 - Jytte Guteland)
UKIP voted against. This report published the effectiveness, independence and quality of a nation’s justice system. This is the first step in the EU moving towards a harmonised justice system by not taking into consideration the relevant rights of the individuals and Member States that hold separate rules of law when determining what is a criminal or a civil matter.
Common system of value added tax, with regard to the obligation to respect a minimum standard rate (A8-0124/2018 - Roberto Gualtieri)
Prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing (A8-0056/2017 - Krišjānis Kariņš, Judith Sargentini)
Approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (A8-0048/2017 - Daniel Dalton)
Organic production and labelling of organic products (A8-0311/2015 - Martin Häusling)
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A8-0140/2018 - Miroslavs Mitrofanovs)
. – UKIP voted against this legislation. We firmly defend Member States’ right to define their own domestic legislation. Any interference by the Commission is an erosion of Member State sovereignty, which we are firmly against. We do not necessarily take a position on any of the suggested policies within the report, it is ultimately up to each Member State.
Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2019 – Section I – European Parliament (A8-0146/2018 - Paul Rübig)
. – UKIP MEPs voted against this report, as it concerns the spending of EU funds, which we are against. We voted in favour of amendments that wished to reduce the budget and which aim to make Parliament more transparent. We voted against amendments that wished to increase the budget, for instance in allowing APAs to accompany Members on missions, which is a waste of public funds.
Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on European business statistics, amending Regulation (EC) no 184/2005 and repealing 10 legal acts in the field of business statistics (A8-0094/2018 - Janusz Lewandowski)
Common rules for the internal market in natural gas (A8-0143/2018 - Jerzy Buzek)
Protection of investigative journalists in Europe: the case of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová (B8-0186/2018)
. – UKIP MEP’s have voted against this non-legislative motion for resolution. UKIP firmly support the work of investigative journalists and are appalled at the details of this murder which was clearly motivated by the need to silence a whistle-blower. This resolution, however, clearly oversteps the EU’s mandate in this field. UKIP reject any attempt by the EU to establish a directive on whistle-blower protection and strongly oppose calls for the EPPO to be established.
A European values instrument to support civil society organisations which promote democracy, rule of law and fundamental values within the European Union (B8-0189/2018)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative motion for resolution. UKIP firmly opposes taxpayers’ money being given to organisations in the EU to promote the values of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental values. This is a clear attempt by the EU to increase funding for organisations which hold a favourable opinion of the European Union who will inevitably disseminate propaganda to the citizens of Europe.
The violation of human rights and the rule of law in the case of two Greek soldiers arrested and detained in Turkey (B8-0194/2018, B8-0196/2018)
. – UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. UKIP have long been concerned by developments in Turkey and have opposed their integration within the EU. We are especially concerned at military developments and Turkey’s increasing opposition to the West and international norms. However this resolution implies a role for the EU institutions, to which we are opposed.
Implementation of the Treaty provisions concerning national Parliaments (A8-0127/2018 - Paulo Rangel)
. – This non-legislative own initiative report is generally supportive of national parliaments and doesn’t call on the Commission to act (other than to grant national parliaments more time in which to prepare ‘reasoned opinions’ objecting to EU legislation), but UKIP does not support the right of EU institutions to determine the rights of national parliaments and accordingly UKIP abstained.
Vaccine hesitancy and drop in vaccination rates in Europe (B8-0188/2018, B8-0195/2018)
Implementation of the European Protection Order Directive (A8-0065/2018 - Soraya Post, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP fully support the right of citizens to be protected in their own country and when travelling abroad and welcome the fact that all countries in the EU have their own system of protection orders. With such a limited amount of EPOs having been issued since the directive was enforced, it is clear to see that this is a poor and ineffective piece of legislation. For this reason, UKIP voted against this report.
Implementation of the Bologna Process – state of play and follow-up (B8-0190/2018)
. – UKIP voted against this non-binding motion for a resolution. We support the principle of the Bologna Process as a non-EU, voluntary group discussing education amongst its members. However, we disagree with the call for the Commission to become more heavily involved, using it as a platform to promote itself and its own education initiatives.
Fixing the period for the ninth election of representatives to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (A8-0145/2018 - Danuta Maria Hübner)
EU-Australia Framework Agreement (A8-0110/2018 - Francisco José Millán Mon)
. – UKIP voted against giving consent to this procedure. We do not support the development of an EU foreign policy or believe that the EU is qualified to negotiate agreements with third countries as if it were a state. UKIP is extremely supportive of closer relations between the UK and Commonwealth countries, including especially Australia. We look forward to improved relations between our two countries when we finally, fully leave the European Union.
EU-Australia Framework Agreement (Resolution) (A8-0119/2018 - Francisco José Millán Mon)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We do not support the development of an EU foreign policy or believe that the EU is qualified to negotiate agreements with third countries as if it were a state. UKIP is extremely supportive of closer relations between the UK and Commonwealth countries, including especially Australia. We look forward to improved relations between our two countries when we finally, fully leave the European Union.
Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (A8-0131/2018 - Helga Stevens)
Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism (Additional Protocol) (A8-0132/2018 - Helga Stevens)
Packaging and packaging waste (A8-0029/2017 - Simona Bonafè)
End-of-life vehicles, waste batteries and accumulators and waste electrical and electronic equipment (A8-0013/2017 - Simona Bonafè)
Procedural rules in the field of environmental reporting (A8-0253/2017 - Francesc Gambús)
. – UKIP MEPs abstained on this legislative report. UKIP are in favour of the removal of EU legislation to avoid overburden to people, organisations and Member States and agree that any legislation that does not serve its objective should be removed. However, UKIP are against the overreaching amount of EU environmental legislation produced since the 1970s.
Integrity policy of the Commission, in particular the appointment of the Secretary-General of the European Commission (B8-0214/2018)
. – UKIP voted for this motion for a resolution regarding the appointment of Martin Selmayr to Secretary-General of the European Commission. We supported this motion due to its criticism of the manner in which the Commission conducted the appointment, the lack of action taken to resolve the situation, and the calls for a reassessment of the procedure and more transparency. However we feel the motion could have been far stronger in its criticism.
Progress on UN Global compacts for safe, orderly and regular migration and on refugees (B8-0184/2018)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative motion for a resolution. UKIP MEPs believe that the ‘UN compact on safe, orderly and regular migration and on refugees’ has the ultimate aim to make illegal migration legal and to facilitate it in greater numbers. UKIP believe that the Dublin Agreement already sets out a fair system for refugees; the problem is that it is not being enforced effectively, which has led to the current migration crisis.
Implementation of the EU external financing instruments: mid-term review 2017 and the future post-2020 architecture (A8-0112/2018 - Marietje Schaake)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We do not support the propagation by the European Union of its foreign policy through the use of these funds that either interfere in the domestic policies of third party states or that are used to support the further expansion of the European Union. In particular, we are concerned by the changes made to the Instrument Contributing to Stability and Peace that allow it to fund military actors in third countries. We believe this contravenes existing Union law and its disregard is further evidence of the militarisation of the EU.
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - Commission and executive agencies (A8-0137/2018 - Joachim Zeller)
. – UKIP voted against this. The Commission is unelected, unaccountable and has the sole power to originate EU law. Its executive agencies, as well as consuming vast amounts of taxpayers’ cash, are unaccountable and have powers far in excess of what such bodies should have. We note with concern, as noted in the report, that EUR 900 million was spent on management costs and fees. We also note the concerns expressed about corruption in Pre-Accession Funding, especially in Turkey.
Discharge 2016: Court of Auditors' special reports in the context of the 2016 Commission discharge (A8-0130/2018 - Joachim Zeller)
. – UKIP voted against this. We share the concern expressed in the report that projects in the Natura theme were unsustainable, and that a serious ‘audit gap’ has opened up between Member States. Most seriously, we note that the Courts of Justice of the European Union denied access to auditors of certain financial documents, a move we find at best incompetent, and at worst, suspicious. We also note with concern a trend towards auditors not being drawn from accounting professions due to a professional competency, but being drawn due to allegiance to the EU.
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th EDFs (A8-0123/2018 - Barbara Kappel)
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European Parliament (A8-0105/2018 - Derek Vaughan)
. – UKIP voted against this. The EU Parliament is little more than a talking shop, and lacks the legitimacy and powers of the British Parliament. The EU Parliament has shown a political vindictiveness and lack of maturity around Brexit, epitomised by the appointment of arch-federalist Guy Verhofstadt as EU Parliament negotiator. Despite our alleged ‘influence’, British MEPs account for barely 10% of the total, placing us totally at the voting mercy of our ‘partners’ and thus making it impossible for British interests to be defended. We note with satisfaction our imminent departure.
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European Council and Council (A8-0116/2018 - Ingeborg Gräßle)
. – UKIP voted against this for several reasons. One key reason, as identified by the report, was the lack of transparency identified in the report, and we feel that this alone would be grounds for rejection. We also feel that the EU Council, with its unelected EU President is not a legitimate organ for EU law making, and we not the ‘President’ is appointed in secret under the terms of the Lisbon Treaty, which EU citizens were denied a promised referendum on.
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - Court of Justice (A8-0122/2018 - Ingeborg Gräßle)
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European Economic and Social Committee (A8-0097/2018 - Ingeborg Gräßle)
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European External Action Service (A8-0128/2018 - Marco Valli)
. – UKIP voted against this discharge procedure. UKIP voted against granting discharge and closing the accounts for EU agencies and institutions. UKIP is opposed to all EU institutions and agencies as they are not democratically controlled and waste billions of taxpayers’ money. In particular we are concerned by the EEAS spending to attempt to influence media within the European Union and its censorship activities. As such we supported Amendment 3.
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European Ombudsman (A8-0100/2018 - Ingeborg Gräßle)
Discharge 2016: EU general budget - European Data Protection Supervisor (A8-0099/2018 - Ingeborg Gräßle)
Discharge 2016: Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) (A8-0074/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union (CdT) (A8-0106/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) (A8-0068/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) (A8-0098/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (A8-0066/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Asylum Support Office (EASO) (A8-0083/2018 - Bart Staes)
. – UKIP MEP’s have voted in favour of postponing the discharge of the EASO. UKIP are highly concerned with both the significant budget increases for the agency and the fact that so many payments are listed as irregular. UKIP MEP’s also supported the accompanying resolution as it highlighted the issues as to why, until the OLAF investigation has concluded, it cannot discharge this agency.
Discharge 2016: European Banking Authority (EBA) (A8-0067/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) (A8-0085/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (A8-0086/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Environment Agency (EEA) (A8-0090/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) (A8-0107/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (A8-0091/2018 - Indrek Tarand)
Discharge 2016: European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) (A8-0087/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) (A8-0088/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) (A8-0096/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Medicines Agency (EMA) (A8-0103/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) (A8-0081/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) (A8-0078/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) (A8-0114/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) (A8-0079/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Training Foundation (ETF) (A8-0080/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) (A8-0111/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) (A8-0084/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) (A8-0092/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Police Office (Europol) (A8-0109/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) (A8-0093/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) (A8-0108/2018 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2016: Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI) (A8-0071/2018 - Brian Hayes)
Discharge 2016: Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking (A8-0070/2018 - Brian Hayes)
Discharge 2016: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (FCH2) (A8-0073/2018 - Brian Hayes)
Discharge 2016: Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (IMI) (A8-0075/2018 - Brian Hayes)
Discharge 2016: ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy Joint Undertaking (A8-0095/2018 - Brian Hayes)
Discharge 2016: SESAR Joint Undertaking (A8-0077/2018 - Brian Hayes)
Discharge 2016: Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (S2R) (A8-0076/2018 - Brian Hayes)
EU-Lebanon Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: participation of Lebanon in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (A8-0352/2017 - Sofia Sakorafa)
EU-Norway Agreement concerning additional trade preferences in agricultural products (A8-0126/2018 - Tiziana Beghin)
Inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry into the 2030 climate and energy framework (A8-0262/2017 - Norbert Lins)
Binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement (A8-0208/2017 - Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy)
Statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (A8-0373/2017 - Mercedes Bresso, Rainer Wieland)
Implementation of the 7th Environment Action Programme (A8-0059/2018 - Daciana Octavia Sârbu)
Gender equality in the media sector in the EU (A8-0031/2018 - Michaela Šojdrová)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report. Although there were aspects such as incitement to hatred, violence against women, or cyber-bullying, which we wholly deplore, we did not support this report, as we oppose gender quotas and gender mainstreaming in policy, which this report calls for. We believe that equality can be achieved through other means. Furthermore, we oppose the call to unblock the ‘Women on Boards Directive’, which also called for obligatory gender quotas in listed companies and for penalties for those who breached the directive.
Empowering women and girls through the digital sector (B8-0183/2018)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report. We are for equal opportunities for all, both men and women. Whilst we are in favour of pushing for more women and men to be involved in the digital sector, to improve opportunities in the labour market and to reduce the gender pay gap, we do not believe that this needs to be achieved through gender mainstreaming within policy. The EU should not interfere with the national curricula of Member States with regard to digital literacy, since this is the prerogative of national governments, as is the empowerment of all, which can likewise be achieved through national governments and not at EU level.
Implementation of the Development Cooperation Instrument, the Humanitarian Aid Instrument and the European Development Fund (A8-0118/2018 - Enrique Guerrero Salom)
Enhancing developing countries' debt sustainability (A8-0129/2018 - Charles Goerens)
Strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU (A8-0138/2018 - Marc Joulaud)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative, own-initiative report because it concerns cohesion policy and the spending of EU money, which we are against. We have also voted in favour of Amendment 1, because it is critical of EU spending and the economy, reiterating rights for sovereign control of these areas.
EU-Comoros fisheries partnership agreement: denunciation (A8-0058/2018 - João Ferreira)
EU-Comoros fisheries partnership agreement: denunciation (resolution) (A8-0055/2018 - João Ferreira)
Europass: framework for skills and qualifications (A8-0244/2017 - Thomas Mann, Svetoslav Hristov Malinov)
Creative Europe Programme (2014 to 2020) (A8-0369/2017 - Silvia Costa)
UKIP voted against this legislative report. Whilst we support the principle of boosting employment, this scheme, according to the Commission, is not reaching many users, despite running for almost 13 years. Therefore, given that it is failing, we do not believe that the scheme should be continued and promoted at the taxpayers’ expense.Furthermore, we oppose harmonisation, which we believe that the EU is aiming to achieve through Europass.
Common Corporate Tax Base (A8-0050/2018 - Paul Tang)
Without doubt there are injustices caused by use of Single Market rules (that allow multinationals to establish themselves in any Member State whilst selling into another) which lower the tax paid in the location of much of the economic activity; the solution lies with wider global international arrangements (for example via the OECD) rather than via the EU which is motivated by a desire to eliminate tax competition and to harmonise taxes at ever higher rates.
Guidelines for the 2019 budget - Section III (A8-0062/2018 - Daniele Viotti)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative report. This report is intended to set the initial position of the Parliament ahead of the negotiations with the Council and Commission for the EU budget for 2019. The report of course called for more EU spending and more EU action. Of interest is that it included very little about Brexit. This is explained because they believe the UK will continue to pay yearly budget contributions until 2020, due to what was agreed in the first phase of negotiations.
US attack on EU farm support under the CAP (in the context of Spanish olives) (B8-0137/2018, B8-0137/2018, B8-0138/2018, B8-0145/2018, B8-0147/2018, B8-0148/2018, B8-0149/2018, B8-0151/2018)
Guidelines on the framework of future EU-UK relations (B8-0134/2018, B8-0135/2018)
UKIP MEP’s have voted against this non-legislative report which outlines Parliament’s opinion on how future EU-UK relations should be conducted once the UK leaves the Union. UKIP tabled its own resolution and amendments on this issue which aimed to protect the sovereignty of Northern Ireland and the UK fishing waters, to ensure that the role of the ECJ would end at the date of withdrawal and to assert that there is no legally enforceable obligation for the UK to continue contributing financially to the EU after the UK withdraws. UKIP MEP’s also highlighted that negotiations for continued tariff free trade arrangement must begin in parallel with the withdrawal to ensure minimal disruption for businesses and services. Lastly, UKIP were also keen to remind Parliament that, even though the UK is withdrawing from the Union, the UK will continue to play a major role in the prosperity of peace and security on the European continent via NATO and bilateral partnerships.
Measures for the control of Newcastle disease (A8-0026/2018 - Adina-Ioana Vălean)
Objection to Commission delegated regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 as regards the Union list of projects of common interest (B8-0136/2018)
UKIP MEPs voted against this Resolution. UKIP MEPs are in favour of accelerated planning and favouring lower administrative costs in Europe. UKIP is in favour of increasing direct democracy through greater public participation via different kinds of consultations. However, UKIP MEPs are against any projects that favours EU energy policy and climate objectives. UKIP doesn’t believe that the EU should initiate a greenhouse gas emissions reduction as established by the European Commission. The European Institutions are planning to spend unimaginable sums of money on mitigation measures, which will only damage further our economy.
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/008 DE/Goodyear (A8-0061/2018 - Ingeborg Gräßle)
UKIP voted against the mobilisation of this EU money. This proposal is to give EUR 2 165 231 (60% match funding) to 646 workers who have lost their jobs in Germany from the company Goodyear Dunlop. The money will be spent on job search, training allowance, career guidance, workshops for exchanging views, and business start-up advice. UKIP voted against as we oppose taxpayers’ money being used as EU dole for poor economic decisions made in other countries.
The next MFF: Preparing the Parliament’s position on the MFF post-2020 (A8-0048/2018 - Jan Olbrycht, Isabelle Thomas)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this non-legislative report. The MFF is the long—term budget of the EU, with the current MFF running out in 2020. Technically the Commission should have put forward a proposal for the next MFF by 1 January 2018, but it looks unlikely they will present anything until May 2018. In general the report overall calls for yet more EU spending and action. On Brexit it notes that during the first phase of negotiations the UK Government agreed to carrying on paying contributions to the EU budget until 2020. The report also wants to take away the veto for Member States on budget setting and move towards ‘qualified majority voting’.
Reform of the European Union’s system of own resources (A8-0041/2018 - Gérard Deprez, Janusz Lewandowski)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative report. This report proposed new ways the EU budget should be financed. Such ideas included: reform of EU level VAT rates, set and collect corporate tax, the idea that ECB profits should go to the EU budget rather than back to national governments, an EU level financial transaction tax, and other green taxes. As this would mean more powers for the EU in an effort to have a higher budget, UKIP voted against.
European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Growth Survey 2018 (A8-0047/2018 - Hugues Bayet)
European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social aspects in the Annual Growth Survey 2018 (A8-0052/2018 - Krzysztof Hetman)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We do not support the premise that the Commission should interfere in the employment or social policy of Member States; this should be a sovereign and democratic decision made by the Member States themselves. In particular, we object to the report’s proposals for an EU-level social security number and EU-level unemployment reinsurance scheme.
Implementation of the Protocol on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (A8-0034/2018 - Jean Arthuis)
UKIP voted against this budget vote. This proposal was to recycle an extra EUR 40 million to a fund called ‘Research for Coal and Steel Fund’ (RFCS), which lies outside the EU budget but is managed by the EU Commission. The money is used to fund research projects for coal, steel and climate change in line with EU political priorities. The money will come from ‘de-commitments’ (money which hasn’t been used or has been recovered) from the fund from every year since 2003. UKIP voted against as we oppose giving the unelected EU Commission more resources to further their political aims, which are not accountable to voters.
EU-New Zealand agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters (A8-0029/2018 - Daniel Caspary)
Initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles and driving licences (A8-0321/2017 - Peter Lundgren)
Establishing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme aiming at supporting the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the EU defence industry (A8-0037/2018 - Françoise Grossetête)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against the Report on the proposal for an EU regulation establishing the European Defence Industrial Development Programme. UKIP is against further EU harmonisation dictated by the unelected EU Commission in Brussels. UKIP is also against the huge financial implication of this project.
Gender equality in EU trade agreements (A8-0023/2018 - Eleonora Forenza, Malin Björk)
UKIP voted against this a non-legislative report regarding gender equality in EU trade agreements. We fully support combating exploitation, improving working conditions for workers and protection of labour rights and human rights. However, we believe this report highly politicises trade, which we oppose. Furthermore, we do not agree with gender mainstreaming, which the EU wants to incorporate into policy and trade negotiations. Gender equality is a cultural change that needs to be achieved through male and female voices.
Lagging regions in the EU (A8-0046/2018 - Michela Giuffrida)
The role of EU regions and cities in implementing the COP 21 Paris Agreement on climate change (A8-0045/2018 - Ángela Vallina)
UKIP have voted against this own-initiative report, as MEPs believe that it is not for the European Union to take action on climate change or to tell Member States how they should implement the outcomes of the COP21 Paris Agreement. Furthermore UKIP MEPs disagree with spending any EU funds on this issue. We have also voted against amendment one as we do not believe that it is the EU’s place to introduce mandatory targets.
EU-USA Bilateral Agreement on prudential measures regarding insurance and reinsurance (A8-0008/2018 - Roberto Gualtieri)
The EU should be prioritising similar agreement with the UK as part of the Brexit process, the fact that the EU is not doing so demonstrates its bad faith. If the EU can agree mutual recognition of regulation on insurance and re-insurance with the USA it should do the same with the world’s premier insurance and re-insurance market in London. Accordingly UKIP voted against.
Definition, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks and protection of geographical indications thereof (A8-0021/2018 - Pilar Ayuso)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: authorisation of genetically modified maize 59122 (DAS-59122-7) (B8-0122/2018)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: authorisation of genetically modified maize MON 87427 × MON 89034 × NK603 and genetically modified maize combining two of the events MON 87427, MON 89034 and NK603 (B8-0124/2018)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/006 ES/Galicia apparel (A8-0033/2018 - Esteban González Pons)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/007 SE/Ericsson (A8-0032/2018 - Urmas Paet)
Commission decision to activate Article 7 (1) TEU as regards the situation in Poland (B8-0119/2018, B8-0120/2018, B8-0121/2018)
Situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2016 (A8-0025/2018 - Frank Engel)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP fully supports the broad concept of fundamental rights but does not agree that an EU approach to fundamental rights is the best approach given the different cultures and diversity of Europe. UKIP MEPs did, however, vote in favour of a number of amendments that support national sovereignty and the right for Member States to control their own immigration policies.
Cutting the sources of income for Jihadists - targeting the financing of terrorism (A8-0035/2018 - Javier Nart)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We take the combatting of terrorism extremely seriously and we have campaigned against one of the primary sources of financing of terrorism within UK and European mosques originating from the Middle East, primarily Saudi Arabia. We are supportive of effective UK Government-led initiatives to further combat terrorist financing in conjunction with appropriate international cooperation. However this report calls on the Commission to further intrude in the internal affairs of Member States, to grant the Commission a greater role in the coordination of intelligence and other policy areas and for more EU Commission spending. We cannot support these initiatives.
EU priorities for the 62nd session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (A8-0022/2018 - Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Ángela Vallina)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative non-binding report. We fully support gender equality, the empowerment of women, access to healthcare and education; tackling discrimination and violence against women; reducing the pensions gap and the gender pay gap. However, we fully oppose gender mainstreaming in policy. We believe national governments are able to resolve such issues and invest how they wish, and this should not be dictated nor conducted at EU level. Furthermore, we viewed this report as a form of EU self-promotion at the UN and on the international stage.
Monitoring and reporting of CO2 emissions from and fuel consumption of new heavy-duty vehicles (A8-0010/2018 - Damiano Zoffoli)
. – UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative report as UKIP questions the entire EU energy and climate policy, which is entirely based on the man—made climate change theory. We reject new legislation coming from Brussels and believe that national parliaments should be free to have legislative autonomy on this subject..
Composition of the European Parliament (A8-0007/2018 - Danuta Maria Hübner, Pedro Silva Pereira)
. – UKIP voted against. This report is looking at how best to use the 73 seats vacated by the UK after Brexit. The EU is extremely keen on establishing a super-constituency which would cover the entire EU, but in real terms the MEP who is supposed to represent them would have little or no accountability to his constituents. We would have been happy to see a reduction in the size of the European Parliament to 678 after the UK leaves the EU and at least save the taxpayer some money.
Revision of the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission (A8-0006/2018 - Esteban González Pons)
. – UKIP voted against. This report because is calling for a ‘Spitzenkandidat’ or lead candidate to be used in the process for the election of such positions as the President of the Commission. However, one of the main issues with that is that it is not fair or transparent and the electorate would not be familiar with who the lead candidate is. In addition, this report considered it to be fair and just for a Commissioner who is standing for election to the European Parliament to still retain their position as a Commissioner, we feel that they should resign as a Commissioner in order to prevent there being a conflict of interest.
Automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Portugal (A8-0017/2018 - Ignazio Corrao)
Protection and non-discrimination with regard to minorities in the EU Member States (B8-0064/2018)
. – UKIP MEP’s have voted against this non-legislative resolution. UKIP fully support the rights of minorities in Member States but do not support EU wide measures aimed at protecting their rights. UKIP believe that the protection and non-discrimination of minorities should be a competency for the Member State for which they are in.
Zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (B8-0068/2018)
. – UKIP voted in favour of this non-legislative resolution on zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM). We shared many of the concerns raised in this report and we, too, fully condemn this criminal practice. Whilst we do not believe in calling on the EU for more action, we are supportive in all endeavours to eradicate FGM.
EU-Brazil Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation (A8-0004/2018 - Angelo Ciocca)
Setting up a special committee on the Union’s authorisation procedure for pesticides, its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office (B8-0077/2018)
. – UKIP MEPs abstain on this vote. With regard to the creation of a special committee on glyphosate, UKIP believes it is of upmost importance to have free and independent scientific research whilst guaranteeing transparency. Glyphosate is the world’s most widely used herbicide and glyphosate-based herbicides are used in agriculture as well as in public and private gardens. For the importance of this issue, UKIP believes that a final evaluation should be made at national level.
Geo-blocking and other forms of discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or place of establishment (A8-0172/2017 - Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein)
Cost-effective emission reductions and low-carbon investments (A8-0003/2017 - Julie Girling)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative report. UKIP MEPs are against the emission trading system as they believe in a free functioning, self regulated market. A new ETS would try to reduce CO2 emissions at the expense of European jobs and industry. The sectors concerned, such as the steel industry, already face cutthroat international competition from countries such as China. Furthermore, the increasingly insidious strengthening of the Commission’s powers to the detriment of sovereign Member States is clearly stated in this report. Neither can UKIP accept the intention to include the maritime and aviation sector in the ETS mechanism - these decisions should only be taken by national parliaments.
European Central Bank Annual Report for 2016 (A8-0383/2017 - Jonás Fernández)
Accelerating clean energy innovation (A8-0005/2018 - Jerzy Buzek)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this own—initiative report. UKIP appreciate the effort of Buzek MEP to write a sensitive report based on sound energy considerations. However, the text takes into consideration the energy transition process (to a decarbonised economy) and quotes the achievement of objectives stated in the Paris Agreement.
Marrakesh Treaty: facilitating the access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled (A8-0400/2017 - Max Andersson)
Jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matters and matters of parental responsibility, and international child abduction (A8-0388/2017 - Tadeusz Zwiefka)
UKIP voted to abstain on this because we believe that the welfare of a child who has been abducted through a matrimonial matter should be protected and the time taken to repatriate the child should be cut and the process made more efficient. However this is really a matter that should be discussed at Member State level and not as a whole block.
Implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative in the Member States (A8-0406/2017 - Romana Tomc)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We believe firmly in tackling rising youth unemployment but we do not support EU initiative. This report suggests several overbearing policies that allow the Commission to interfere in the domestic policies of Member States, something we cannot support. Furthermore this report fails to address all potential causes of youth unemployment such as the link with mass, uncontrolled immigration.
Implementation of the Professional Qualifications Directive and the need for reform in professional services (A8-0401/2017 - Nicola Danti)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this own-initiative report. UKIP does not believe that the harmonisation of professional service requirements is necessary. Additionally, UKIP MEPs believe that Member States are more than capable of regulating professional services themselves, without the involvement of the Commission.
Control of exports, transfer, brokering, technical assistance and transit of dual-use items (A8-0390/2017 - Klaus Buchner)
. ‒ We voted against this because we feel that the EU has no right to interfere in international trade. Dual-use items are a complex issue, and the EU is aiming to complicate it further with regulations in this already sensitive and difficult area. We feel that the EU’s attempt to cloak this move with concerns about ‘human rights’ is simply a smokescreen for interference and politicising trade.
Promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (A8-0392/2017 - José Blanco López)
. ‒ Today UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative proposal for a new EU Renewable Energy Directive. The Commission continues imposing never-ending objectives for emissions reduction. EU policies are forcing the investment of vast amounts of money in activity that will have little or no effect on climate. Independence and freedom from absurd targets, unilaterally set by the unelected Commission, will allow Britain to rejoin the world and enhance liberty whilst protecting the environment.
Energy efficiency (A8-0391/2017 - Miroslav Poche)
Today UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative proposal for a new EU Renewable Energy Directive. The European Commission continues imposing never-ending objectives for emissions reductions. EU policies are forcing the investment of vast amount of money for activity that will have little or no effect on climate. Independence and freedom towards absurd targets unilaterally set by the unelected EU Commission will allow Britain to re-join the world and enhance liberty whilst protecting the environment.
Governance of the Energy Union (A8-0402/2017 - Michèle Rivasi, Claude Turmes)
Today UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative proposal for a new EU Renewable Energy regulation. The European Commission continues imposing never-ending objectives for emissions reductions. EU policies are forcing the investment of vast amount of money for activity that will have little or no effect on climate. Independence and freedom towards absurd targets unilaterally set by the unelected EU Commission will allow Britain to re-join the world and enhance liberty whilst protecting the environment.
Management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Convention Area of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (A8-0377/2017 - Linnéa Engström)
Implementation of EU macro-regional strategies (A8-0389/2017 - Andrea Cozzolino)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative own—initiative report on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies. The EU macro-regions are the Baltic Sea, the Danube Region, the Adriatic and Ionian Region and the Alpine Region. The document encourages improved coordination and better partnerships between different actors and policies at national and regional level. This can be viewed as a move towards further harmonisation of policies. In addition, this document calls on the Commission a number of times. For these reasons, UKIP has voted against this non-legislative report.
Conservation of fishery resources and protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures (A8-0381/2017 - Gabriel Mato)
The many measures in this long, technical report effectively extend the Common Fisheries Policy well into the future. Although we oppose the whole policy as a long-term disaster for the UK and are against the further loading of cost onto the UK’s suffering fishermen, we abstained in order to ensure that the prohibition on electric charge (pulse) fishing comes in as soon as possible and stops this destructive practice.
International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (A8-0399/2017 - José Inácio Faria)
Women, gender equality and climate justice (A8-0403/2017 - Linnéa Engström)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative non-binding report. UKIP opposes the EU climate-change agenda. Whilst there were many sensitive aspects to this report regarding the vulnerability of women and the exacerbation of violence, sexual exploitation and trafficking, which we want to tackle, we are against more EU action. This report called for gender mainstreaming within climate—change policy and to impose sanctions on those that did not conform to gender quotas. We disagree with the concept of gender quotas and believe in positions based on merit not gender.Furthermore, we do not support calls for additional funding. Therefore in light of all the above, we opposed this report.
Situation in Afghanistan (RC-B8-0678/2017, B8-0678/2017, B8-0679/2017, B8-0680/2017, B8-0681/2017, B8-0682/2017, B8-0683/2017, B8-0684/2017)
. – UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We are concerned at the increased instability within Afghanistan and the vacuum this leaves for the rise of Islamic extremism. We are opposed to any involvement by the EU institutions either in Afghanistan or in member state asylum policies. However western policy has proved a failure in this country and we would urge it necessary for the UK and other countries to revaluate our conduct in foreign affairs.
Situation of the Rohingya people (RC-B8-0668/2017, B8-0668/2017, B8-0669/2017, B8-0670/2017, B8-0671/2017, B8-0672/2017, B8-0673/2017, B8-0674/2017)
. – UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We share concerns over the mistreatment and hostile action by the Burmese government towards the Rohingya people. We do not believe however that the EU has any meaningful or effective role to play that cannot be better achieved by states or by more appropriate international fora.
Implementation of the directive on combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (A8-0368/2017 - Anna Maria Corazza Bildt)
. – UKIP MEP’s voted to abstain on the non-legislative report. UKIP wholeheartedly condemn all forms of child exploitation, particularly when this exploitation is of a violent or sexual nature, and therefore broadly support the broad aims of this report which seek to eradicate this exploitation. UKIP MEP’s would, however, prefer that a consensus to tackling the issue be made by sovereign nations rather than an approach at EU level. For these reasons, UKIP MEP’s voted to abstain.
Draft recommendation following the inquiry on money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion (B8-0660/2017)
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (A8-0351/2017 - Michael Gahler)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non—binding report. We remain firmly against the development of EU defence policy and any potential involvement of the UK in EU defence structures. The development of CSDP risks undermining NATO, a proven defence alliance that has guaranteed security in Europe since 1949. UKIP is committed to spending at least 2% of GDP on defence as per NATO obligations and would urge fellow allies to do the same. The 2% target is a NATO obligation and should not be co-opted by the EU as this report attempts to do.
Annual report on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (A8-0350/2017 - David McAllister)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We are against the development of EU foreign policy, as a point of principle, and are opposed to any attempt by the UK Government to seek alignment with it after Brexit.EU foreign policy has proved ineffective in its management of Russia, Iran and the migration crisis in Libya, and in its overseas missions. As a form of political union, the development of EU foreign policy goes beyond coordination and reduces the ability of Member States to exercise their sovereignty in international affairs, as opposed to military alliances such as NATO and other genuine international forums.UKIP is committed to spending at least 2% of GDP on defence, as per NATO obligations, and would urge fellow allies to do the same. The 2% target is a NATO obligation and should not be co-opted by the EU, as this report attempts to do.
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2016 and the EU policy on the matter (A8-0365/2017 - Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. Whilst we support efforts to improve the economic, political and humanitarian conditions of people throughout the world, we do not believe that the EU has any added value in doing so. Effective measures cannot be covered in such a wide-ranging report, and policies that will actually benefit people and not merely be used as justification for further EU action should be developed on a case-by-case basis with support from sovereign states and genuine international institutions.
Hong Kong, 20 years after handover (A8-0382/2017 - Alyn Smith)
. – UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. UKIP are firmly committed to protecting the freedoms and special status enjoyed by Hong Kong as per the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We are concerned by the People’s Republic of China’s infringements of that status. Furthermore we believe that the future of Hong Kong beyond the 50-year period guaranteed in the Joint Declaration should be decided by the people of Hong Kong. However we do not believe that the EU can or should play any meaningful role in Hong Kong. This should be left to the guarantors of the Joint Declaration – the UK and the People’s Republic of China – supported by appropriate international institutions.
Amendments to various Regulations in the field of agriculture and rural development (A8-0380/2017 - Albert Deß)
Extension of the duration of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (A8-0198/2017 - Udo Bullmann, José Manuel Fernandes)
Rules on the exercise of copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions of broadcasting organisations and retransmissions of television and radio programmes (A8-0378/2017 - Tiemo Wölken)
EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (Consent) (A8-0325/2017 - Liisa Jaakonsaari)
EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) (A8-0335/2017 - Liisa Jaakonsaari)
EU Citizenship Report 2017: Strengthening Citizens' Rights in a Union of Democratic Change (A8-0385/2017 - Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea)
. – We voted against this non-legislative non-binding own initiative because we do not believe the EU is a state, ot should ever be a state or have the powers of one. This would include the ability to regulate the rights of its citizens, and impose the EU view of ‘human rights’ and ‘democracy’ on European people. We also reject the notion of an EU ‘demos’, which this report seems to assume exists.
Towards a digital trade strategy (A8-0384/2017 - Marietje Schaake)
Mobilisation of the Contingency margin in 2017 (A8-0372/2017 - Jens Geier)
UKIP voted against this budgetary decision. The Contingency Margin is a last-resort financial mechanism for the EU to react to unforeseen circumstances and amounts to 0.003% of the EU’s GNI. This proposal was related to the spending of an extra EUR 1.9 billion on EU security migration policy. That money has already been spent, but the decision here is whether it should be paid back in 2 years or 3 years by lowering future budget lines (this proposal wanted to extend it to 3 years). UKIP voted against as it would mean a higher budget for the EU to spend on administration in 2018, and also this proposal was part of the final agreement on the setting of the overall EU budget for 2018 worth EUR 160.1 billion.
Draft amending Budget No 6/2017: Reduction of payment and commitment appropriations in line with updated forecasts of expenditure and update of revenue (own resources and fines) (A8-0379/2017 - Jens Geier)
UKIP voted in favour of this budgetary decision. The proposal here is regarding a recalculation of estimated needs in the EU budget, an update of revenue from fines and the UK correction. While UKIP opposed Parliament’s comments that went with it, we voted in favour overall as the proposal would see EUR 9.8 billion return to Member States. (Meaning a reduction in the amount each Member State has to contribute to the EU).
Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget 2018 (A8-0371/2017 - Inese Vaidere)
UKIP abstained on this budgetary decision. The EU Solidarity Fund has a budget of EUR 500 million a year and is used for disaster relief in Europe. This proposal is to take EUR 50 million of that money and ‘frontload’ it. This means that this amount of money can be more quickly mobilised in the event of a natural disaster. The EUR 500 million is something that is already budgeted for and this proposal won’t mean more money has to be taken from taxpayers. UKIP has criticised the speed at which the EU reacts to disasters in the past, and as this money is for disaster relief we decided it would be wrong to oppose.
Mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument to finance immediate budgetary measures to address the on-going challenges of migration, refugee inflows and security threats (A8-0370/2017 - Siegfried Mureşan)
UKIP voted against this budgetary decision. The Flexibility Instrument is an EU financial tool which currently has EUR 1.4 billion available to it and allows the EU spend money on individual areas which would often break normal budgetary ceilings. This proposal is to mobilise EUR 837 million over the next 4 years for the EU to spend more money on migration and security. UKIP voted against as we oppose the unaccountable EU institutions spending taxpayers’ money, especially in a failing policy area.
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/005 FI/Retail (A8-0366/2017 - Răzvan Popa)
UKIP voted against this budgetary decision. This proposal is to give EUR 2.4 million (60% match funding) for 1 500 redundancies in Finland. The money will be spent on projects like coaching measures, training courses, start-up grants, pay subsidy, and allowances for travel and accommodation. UKIP voted against as we oppose unaccountable EU institutions spending taxpayers’ money on unemployment measures in other countries.
2018 budgetary procedure (A8-0359/2017 - Siegfried Mureşan, Richard Ashworth)
UKIP voted against this budgetary decision. This was a final agreement behind closed between the Council, EU Parliament and Commission on setting the EU budget. The final agreement for 2018 will set the EU budget at EUR 160.1 billion. UKIP voted against, as we oppose unaccountable EU institutions spending huge amounts of taxpayers’ money.
Changes to the resources for economic, social and territorial cohesion and to the resources for the investment for growth and jobs goal and for the European territorial cooperation goal (A8-0358/2017 - Iskra Mihaylova)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this first reading of this legislative report. The document wished to make a number of technical changes due to the release of recent statistical data. The Commission want to increase the amount of money spent on schemes such as the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) which has been extended from 2017 to 2020. In accordance with this they want an increase of EUR 1.2 billion for the YEI. This is just the EU wanting to waste more UK taxpayer money on schemes that produce poor results and for this reason this is why UKIP MEPs have voted against.
EU-Egypt Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: participation of Egypt in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (A8-0353/2017 - Sofia Sakorafa)
EU-Algeria Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: participation of Algeria in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (A8-0354/2017 - Sofia Sakorafa)
EU-Jordan Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: participation of Jordan in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (A8-0355/2017 - Sofia Sakorafa)
Accession of Chile, Iceland and Bahamas to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0364/2017 - Angel Dzhambazki)
Accession of Panama, Uruguay, Colombia and El Salvador to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0362/2017 - Angel Dzhambazki)
Accession of San Marino to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0360/2017 - Angel Dzhambazki)
Accession of Georgia and South Africa to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (A8-0361/2017 - Angel Dzhambazki)
Value added tax obligations for supplies of services and distance sales of goods (A8-0307/2017 - Cătălin Sorin Ivan)
Administrative cooperation and combating fraud in the field of value added tax (A8-0306/2017 - Luděk Niedermayer)
Situation in Yemen (RC-B8-0649/2017, B8-0649/2017, B8-0650/2017, B8-0651/2017, B8-0652/2017, B8-0653/2017, B8-0654/2017, B8-0655/2017, B8-0656/2017)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We are concerned at the ongoing humanitarian crisis occurring because of internal instability and the power politics games played between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Arms exports are an intricate part of government policy, linked with both economic well—being and foreign policy interests. Whilst we are concerned at aspects of UK Government policy, in particular regarding Saudi Arabia, there is no justification for the transfer of these powers to the EU which, following Brexit, will be a foreign power. We are extremely concerned at the British Government’s apparent willingness to do so, expressed in their position paper on foreign affairs following Brexit.
Implementation of the European Disability Strategy (A8-0339/2017 - Helga Stevens)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We as a party are supportive of a balanced approach that supports disabled people’s rights and protections without creating an undue burden on business. Domestically we have expressed strong opposition to several policy areas that have failed to do this. This report however consistently calls for either fresh legislative initiative from the Commission or extensive involvement of the Commission in the domestic affairs of Member States. On principal this is something we cannot support.
Establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person (recast) (A8-0345/2017 - Cecilia Wikström)
EU-New Zealand Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (Consent) (A8-0327/2017 - Charles Tannock)
. ‒ UKIP voted against providing consent to this agreement. We do not support the development of EU foreign policy. New Zealand is a Commonwealth member and we look forward to reinvigorating the UK’s relationship with this country post Brexit. We are pleased to note the strong calls coming from New Zealand for increased trade links amongst Commonwealth nations.
EU-New Zealand Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (Resolution) (A8-0333/2017 - Charles Tannock)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We do not support the development of EU foreign policy. New Zealand is a Commonwealth member and we look forward to reinvigorating the UK’s relationship with this country post Brexit. We are pleased to note the strong calls coming from New Zealand for increased trade links amongst Commonwealth nations.
The EU-Africa Strategy: a boost for development (A8-0334/2017 - Maurice Ponga)
In this non-legislative own—initiative report on the EU-Africa Strategy: a boost for development, UKIP MEPs voted against. ACP means ‘African, Caribbean and Pacific’ states. ‘The document ‘calls for the parliamentary dimension of ACP-EU to be stepped up.’ They see the ACP as an important entity to help strengthen democracy, the rule of law and respect of human rights. However, the ACP is just another EU Trojan horse. The EU finances approximately 50% of the costs of the ACP secretariat. The report ‘recalls that Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change; considers it essential for the EU to develop a strategic approach to building climate resilience and to support African countries, in particular the least developed countries in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt.’ It is argued that African countries have more important concerns when it comes to spending money than focussing on climate change scaremongering. In addition, the document states that it wants to ‘respect the commitment given in Paris in 2015 to allocate USD 100 billion to developing countries by 2020.’ This is the EU throwing money at a problem and hoping that it will go away, so UKIP voted against.
Activities of the European Ombudsman in 2016 (A8-0328/2017 - Marlene Mizzi)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative report. We support the right of anyone who feels they have been mistreated by the EU institutions to seek redress via the ombudsman. However, we voted to abstain on this, as we do not believe all of the provisions within this report are in the British interest.
Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) (B8-0590/2017)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative resolution. UKIP believe that a new EU legislative tool to inspect the rightful application of unilaterally imposed legislation is not the answer to the improvement of environmental policies in Europe. Independence and freedom from absurd targets unilaterally set by the unelected EU Commission will allow Britain to re-join the world and enhance liberty whilst protecting the environment.
Combating inequalities as a lever to boost job creation and growth (A8-0340/2017 - Javi López)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. Whilst we support effective measures to increase economic opportunities for all citizens, we cannot support this report. Primarily, it supports the implementation of new EU legislation and increased interference by the Commission in the internal affairs of Member States. Additionally, many of the proposals contained within this report would have the opposite effect of their stated aims.
Period for adopting delegated acts (A8-0332/2017 - Gesine Meissner)
UKIP voted against this legislative initiative. This would extend the Commission’s power to bypass parliamentary scrutiny of changes to a Directive on intelligent road systems, and make unilateral changes to the legislation. Whilst we object to all EU institutions legislating on behalf of the UK, the European Parliament allows some level of democratic scrutiny on otherwise unaccountable decisions made in the Commission.
Protection against dumped and subsidised imports from countries not members of the EU (A8-0236/2017 - Salvatore Cicu)
UKIP voted against this legislative 1st reading report as we felt that the recommendations would not be sufficiently strong to protect us from unfair or abusive trade practices with partners. In addition, we note that whilst independent countries like America can and do take decisive action against trade abuse, EU policy is not as effective in this area.
Rule of law in Malta (B8-0596/2017, B8-0597/2017)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We express our sincere condolences to the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia and support the on-going independent investigation into the circumstances to her death. We hope her killers are brought to justice. However we are completely opposed to any attempt at politicising her death or using it as a catalyst for the European Commission or any other EU institution to interfere in the internal affairs of Malta. Any allegations of illegal wrongdoing should be investigated by the appropriate authorities within Malta. We remain resolutely opposed to any use of the Rule of Law Mechanism.
Multilateral negotiations in view of the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference (B8-0593/2017)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative resolution. We note with satisfaction that this is the last time that the EU will represent us in the WTO Ministerial Conference before Brexit. We look forward to an independent Britain being a helpful and active participant in the WTO once free of the EU. In the meantime, we chose to abstain.
Eastern Partnership: November 2017 Summit (A8-0308/2017 - Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Knut Fleckenstein)
Action Plan for nature, people and the economy (B8-0589/2017)
The situation of the rule of law and democracy in Poland (B8-0594/2017, B8-0595/2017)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We are opposed to any use of the Rule of Law Mechanism in which the Commission interferes in the internal affairs of a sovereign state. The Law and Justice Party sought and received a democratic mandate in free and fair elections to form a government and pursue its agenda. Any allegations of unconstitutional or illegal activity should be dealt with by the courts within Poland and have no need for the involvement of the Commission.
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/004 IT/Almaviva (A8-0346/2017 - Daniele Viotti)
UKIP voted against this budgetary decision. The proposal is to give over EUR 3.3 million to 1 610 Italian workers who have lost their jobs. The money will go to things like retraining, job seeking, allowances for travel, start-up grants etc. UKIP voted against as we don’t believe UK taxpayers’ money should be used for poor economic decisions in other countries. This is nothing more than EU unemployment benefit.
Saving lives: boosting car safety in the EU (A8-0330/2017 - Dieter-Lebrecht Koch)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. Whist we take the issue of car safety seriously the UK has perfectly sufficient legislation in place. This report calls for unnecessary harmonisation of standards and contains calls for several legislative initiatives which we cannot accept. Any changes to laws affecting the UK should originate in our own sovereign Parliamentary democracy.
Territorial typologies (A8-0231/2017 - Iskra Mihaylova)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this first reading on the territorial typologies. Traditionally, typologies of territory are determined by population size and density of local administrative units, such as communes and local authorities. The main policy objectives of the initiative are to establish a legal recognition of territorial typologies, including the definitions of cities, for the purpose of European statistics. They want to have the same definitions for the whole of the EU rather than having individual definitions for different countries. The aim of this proposal is to further refine the data that the EU has on its Member States and in doing so make it possible to accumulate data according to clear-cut typologies. This will just help the EU compose more specific legislation for these areas and for this reason UKIP has voted against.
Recognition of professional qualifications in inland navigation (A8-0338/2016 - Gesine Meissner)
UKIP voted against this legislative initiative. Fundamentally we disagree with the EU institutions deciding any law affecting the UK. Specifically in this case the UK has its own licensing system. EU involvement and harmonisation is unnecessary and potentially damaging. A similar scheme applied to the UK’s road infrastructure created a national shortage of drivers and therefore disrupted the economy. Voting against protects against any potential negative impacts on the UK’s inland waterways.
Cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws (A8-0077/2017 - Olga Sehnalová)
UKIP have voted against this legislative first reading report. UKIP disagree that harmonisation of consumer protection across Europe is needed, as well as opposing the idea that the scope of the existing CPC regulation needs extending, or its efficiency strengthening. In addition to this, UKIP believe that Member States can act on their own accord without involvement from the Commission.
Deployment of cohesion policy instruments by regions to address demographic change (A8-0329/2017 - Iratxe García Pérez)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative own initiative report on the deployment of cohesion policy instruments by Regions to address demographic change. The report talks about the characteristics of demographic change in the EU, such as decreasing population densities, falling birth rates and gradual depopulation. It calls for the establishment of an EU-wide legal framework that specifically recognises all territories facing demographic disadvantage, and calls on the Commission to include a new flagship initiative on demographic change in the Europe 2020. UKIP has voted against as the report is calling for the Commission to create more EU-wide legal frameworks and to adopt a European strategy on demographic change; this is a national issue not an EU one.
Action plan on retail financial services (A8-0326/2017 - Olle Ludvigsson)
This non-legislative report calls on the Commission to, inter alia, ensure competition in retail financial services is not ‘distorted’; however, we recognise that the Commission is on the side of big business which wants to avoid disruption and will use this as an excuse to stifle competition rather than to enhance it. Accordingly UKIP voted against.
Implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive (A8-0297/2017 - Laura Ferrara)
Respect for private life and the protection of personal data in electronic communications and repealing Directive 2002/58/EC (Regulation on Privacy and Electronic Communications) (A8-0324/2017 - Marju Lauristin)
Combating sexual harassment and abuse in the EU (RC-B8-0576/2017, B8-0576/2017, B8-0577/2017, B8-0578/2017, B8-0579/2017, B8-0580/2017, B8-0581/2017, B8-0582/2017)
UKIP voted to abstain on this non-legislative, motion for resolution. We utterly deplore any form of sexual harassment and abuse, particularly in the work place. Therefore, we welcome initiatives taken to tackle workplace harassment internally within the European Parliament and EU institutions.However, whilst we condemn any form of violence against women, this report called for more legislation, which would encroach on the policies of Member States. In this respect we believe it is at the discretion of National governments to decide on policy and legislation.
Negotiating mandate for trade negotiations with Australia (A8-0311/2017 - Daniel Caspary)
UKIP voted against this. Whilst we usually support free trade talks, we note that the EU has initiated these talks at precisely the time the EU says the UK cannot discuss trade deals with anyone the EU is discussing a deal with. We regard this as a cynical ploy to stop Britain forging global trade deals, particularly with Commonwealth countries.
Negotiating mandate for trade negotiations with New Zealand (A8-0312/2017 - Daniel Caspary)
UKIP voted against this. Whilst we usually support free trade talks, we note that the EU has initiated these talks at precisely the time the EU says the UK cannot discuss trade deals with anyone the EU is discussing a deal with. We regard this as a cynical ploy to stop Britain forging global trade deals, particularly with Commonwealth countries.
Monitoring the application of EU law 2015 (A8-0265/2017 - Kostas Chrysogonos)
UKIP MEPs voted against this non-binding own-initiative report. This report is critical of Member States’ application of refugee quotas and calls for further infringement action to be taken. It is concerning that this report calls for more infringement action to be taken against Member States when they fail to implement EU law either in a timely manner or at all.
Draft general budget of the European Union for 2018 - all sections
. – UKIP voted in favour of all amendments to cut EU budget lines, and voted against all increases. This vote was to set the EU budget for 2018. UKIP tabled 66 amendments to the budget, which would have saved EUR 3.6 billion. However, all but two were rejected. The two amendments that passed demanded the end of taxpayers’ money being used to indirectly support bullfighting from EU agricultural payment funds. The initial Commission proposal for the 2018 EU budget was EUR 160.6 billion (1.7% increase on 2017), it then went to the Council who amended it down to EUR 158.9 billion (0.63% increase on 2017) and then the EU Parliament proposal was to increase it to EUR 162.5 billion. The next stage of the process is for the EU Parliament and the Council to meet for a series of ‘conciliation’ meetings to make a deal behind closed doors as they couldn’t agree on the final budget ceilings. UKIP believes only our elected national government has the right to spend taxpayers’ money, not unaccountable EU institutions.
General budget of the European Union for 2018 - all sections (A8-0299/2017 - Siegfried Mureşan, Richard Ashworth)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report. This resolution is the political view of Parliament which accompanies the 2018 EU budget lines vote. Overall the report called for a bigger EU budget, more EU initiatives and an increased multiannual financial framework. UKIP believes only our elected national government has the right to spend taxpayers’ money, not unaccountable EU institutions.
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Council and Council (A8-0291/2017 - Bart Staes)
UKIP voted in favour of the proposal to refuse discharge and in favour of the accompanying non-legislative resolution. The ‘discharge’ is a yearly procedure where the EU Parliament looks through the budgets of all EU institutions and agencies to decide whether they have been used correctly. This proposal is to refuse to grant discharge to the EU Council. For many years there has been a recurring problem with the Council. Under the EU treaties it says the Parliament has the right to grant discharge to the Commission, but it doesn’t say anything about the Parliament granting discharge to any other EU institution or agency. Because of this the Council doesn’t cooperate with this transparency procedure. This decision and resolution criticises the Council for not being more open about their budgeting. UKIP always opposes the granting of discharge and the closure of accounts, and supports any calls for greater transparency, as we oppose all these EU institutions and agencies in principle.
Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens (A8-0064/2017 - Marita Ulvskog)
UKIP abstained on this legislation. We fully support appropriate measures to protect the health and welfare of workers. We believe that all legislation should be initiated by sovereign Member States. This however does not create new legislation but rather updates existing legislation already in place according to the latest scientific consensus.
Establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data of third country nationals crossing the EU external borders (A8-0057/2017 - Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative first reading report. In principle, UKIP largely support the measures proposed. With the significant increase in terrorist and criminal threat, it is only logical to have a system that electronically registers biometric information and records where and when third country nationals entered the EU. UKIP do, however, believe that the management of borders should not be a competence of the EU and should be the sole right of a sovereign state. Moreover, UKIP MEPs also have concerns with regards to the centralisation of sensitive information which can be accessed by all Member States and EU agencies. For these two reasons, UKIP voted against this report.
Amendment of the Schengen Borders Code as regards the use of the Entry/Exit System (A8-0059/2017 - Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative first reading report. This report is a technical supplement to enable the establishment of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which UKIP oppose. Therefore to keep consistent with our approach to the EES, UKIP MEPs voted against enabling changes to the Schengen Borders Code which would facilitate the EES.
Fundamental rights aspects in Roma integration in the EU: fighting anti-Gypsyism (A8-0294/2017 - Soraya Post)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain on this non-legislative report. UKIP fully opposes all forms of discrimination based on a person’s race, ethnicity, culture or religion and, in principle, supports the broad aims of this report. UKIP does, however, oppose aspects of the report which clearly breach the principle of subsidiarity. UKIP believes that whilst more should be done to protect Roma people, Member States should be able to decide what practices are best to achieve this goal.
Minimum income policies as a tool for fighting poverty (A8-0292/2017 - Laura Agea)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We support economic and tax arrangements that support low income workers as a principle but we cannot support this report. Many suggestions contained within would likely have a negative economic outcome and repeated calls for the use of EU taxpayer’s money and the creation of new EU level legislation is something we must vote against.
Enhanced cooperation: European Public Prosecutor's Office (A8-0290/2017 - Barbara Matera)
UKIP MEPs voted against this technically legislative report. UKIP has repeatedly opposed any attempt by the EU to establish a public prosecutor. The EPPO clearly increases the judicial powers of the EU and intrudes upon national judicial sovereignty. Although the UK does not participate in this enhanced cooperation procedure, the establishment of this body will still impact on the UK. As the UK has signed up to other directives, most notably the European Arrest Warrant, the EPPO will be able to circumvent the UK’s opt-out on this proposal. For these reasons, UKIP voted against the establishment of the EPPO.
Prison systems and conditions (A8-0251/2017 - Joëlle Bergeron)
UKIP MEPs voted to abstain on this non-legislative report. UKIP fully supports recommendations in this report that concern the urgent need to combat radicalisation in prisons. Despite other very reasonable suggestions in this report, UKIP MEPs believe that prison systems and conditions are the sole responsibility of each Member State. Primarily for this reason, UKIP MEPs abstained on this report.
Agreement establishing the EU-LAC International Foundation (A8-0279/2017 - Javier Couso Permuy)
UKIP voted against this legislation. Whilst we agree the region is important and look forward to improved relations between an independent United Kingdom and the countries concerned we cannot support the creation of an international organisation by the European Union. We completely reject the development of an EU foreign policy and any budgetary implications in the future.
Schengen acquis provisions relating to the Visa Information System in Bulgaria and Romania (A8-0286/2017 - Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra)
Automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in the Czech Republic (A8-0288/2017 - Maria Grapini)
Automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Portugal (A8-0289/2017 - Jaromír Štětina)
Automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Greece (A8-0287/2017 - Claude Moraes)
Safety rules and standards for passenger ships (A8-0167/2017 - Daniela Aiuto)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain on this first reading. It is important to understand that safety rules on passenger ships are important. In no way would UKIP MEPs agree to the EU managing the safety standards of Member States, but at the same time UKIP MEPs would never consider it acceptable to allow the safety of passengers and their rights to be put in danger.
Registration of persons sailing on board passenger ships operating to or from ports of the Member States (A8-0168/2017 - Izaskun Bilbao Barandica)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain on this legislative report. It is always important wherever necessary to tidy up the burdensome red tape that is produced by the EU. The amendment to this Directive updates, simplifies and clarifies the existing requirements for the counting and registration of passengers and crew on board passenger ships, whilst enhancing safety levels. However it does not go far enough and one proposal put forward by one of our MEPs is to have CCTV on decking to ensure safety of passengers in the event of any accidents.
System of inspections for the safe operation of ro-ro ferry and high-speed passenger craft in regular service (A8-0165/2017 - Dominique Riquet)
UKIP MEPs voted to abstain on this first reading. This is a review of the existing legislation which aims to simplify and rationalise it. There is a proposal to eliminate the legal uncertainty and redundancy caused by the co—existence of two directives on the inspection of vessels. It is important to ensure that any legislation that is to do with the safety of ro—ro ferries is clear to all parties involved and UKIP MEPs will ensure that no unnecessary red tape will confuse matters and cause any problems.
Objection to an implementing measure: scientific criteria for the determination of endocrine disrupting properties (B8-0542/2017)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean FG72 x A5547-127 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed (B8-0540/2017)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean DAS-44406-6, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed (B8-0541/2017)
Ending child marriage (B8-0535/2017)
UKIP voted to abstain on this non-binding motion for a resolution. We utterly deplore such an abominable crime, and support tackling violence against women. However, we believe that this ought to be conducted at Member State level, and believe it is not for the EU to state where Member States spend their development aid, or to interfere with the financial decisions of international nations. The UK is already committed to the cause of ending forced marriage, duly considering it a criminal act under UK law.
2017 UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany (COP23) (B8-0534/2017)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this Resolution on 2017 UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn. UKIP deny the Climate Change alarmism supported by green lobbies, often financed by the EU Commission. They are the cause of current damaging and counter-productive energy policy. The European Commission continues imposing never-ending objectives for emissions reductions. EU policies are forcing the investment of vast amounts of money into activity that will have little or no effect on climate.
State of play of negotiations with the United Kingdom (B8-0538/2017, B8-0539/2017)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding resolution. The resolution itself was a co-signed by a number of the political groups in the European Parliament. It included calls for a transition period to be under ECJ jurisdiction, that free movement continue, that Northern Ireland and the UK remain in the customs union, and that talks on a UK-EU trade deal be postponed. UKIP tabled 13 amendments calling for a range of things such as allowing the UK to start trade negotiations with third countries, that the ECJ must have no jurisdiction in the UK, that the Commission does not obstruct the UK bringing in border controls, that there should be no transition deal, and that Gibraltar should not be used as a bargaining chip. Unfortunately all these amendments were rejected. UKIP also tabled its own resolution, however this was not voted on as the joint resolution was passed first.
Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (A8-0205/2017 - Adina-Ioana Vălean)
UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative report on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. UKIP opposes the creation of new EU legislation in this field. UKIP believes it is necessary to increase legal certainty while preserving the environment and public health. However, UKIP insist that all decisions on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances should be taken at national level.
Management, conservation and control measures applicable in the ICCAT Convention area (A8-0173/2017 - Gabriel Mato)
UKIP MEPs reject this legislative proposal because, however powerful the case to conserve tuna by international agreement, the European Union is neither a state nor a nation and should not therefore be trying to behave as one by signing agreements which are by definition for signature by nations: the word ‘international’ means between nations and this is a further example of EU action which may be judged as ‘ultra vires’.
Women’s economic empowerment in the private and public sectors in the EU (A8-0271/2017 - Anna Hedh)
UKIP voted against this non-binding, non-legislative report. Although we fully support tackling discrimination and violence against women; as well as the empowerment of women; UKIP vehemently opposes all forms of gender quotas, gender mainstreaming and in particular the women on boards directive. We believe that such strategies are highly counterproductive and also discriminatory. All positions, including high-level positions ought to be determined by aptitude, and not gender.This report was extremely contradictory; on the one hand it pushed for gender quotas and women on boards, whilst at the same time called for anonymised euro-pass C.V’s, where C.V’s are unable to be determined by a person’s gender.Furthermore, not only was this report seeking to intervene in the employment policy of Member States; we also believe this report was intrusive in the private and domestic lives of families, with regard to the division of care.Overall, this was more interference on the part of the EU and undermines the sovereignty of Member States, via the need to enforce their gender mainstreaming agenda.
Addressing shrinking civil society space in developing countries (A8-0283/2017 - Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report, which wants to address the shrinking civil society space in developing countries. The document states that it ‘believes that a genuinely independent, pluralistic and vibrant civil society is pivotal to a country’s development and stability, to ensuring democracy and respect for human rights, and to building inclusive societies’. This sounds contradictory for an EU institution to say this, as they are more likely to try to control every aspect of a nation state. In addition to this, the report calls on the EU to ‘provide guidance to governments’. The governments of these nation states were elected by their own citizens to run the country how they see fit not by some foreign illegitimate political entity. Furthermore, the report wants to see the integration of all internal and external policies, including justice, home affairs, trade and security policies, in accordance with the principle of policy coherence for development. UKIP do not want to see the harmonisation of policies as it is up to the nation state to amend and implement policy and for these reasons UKIP MEPs voted against this own initiative report.
The fight against cybercrime (A8-0272/2017 - Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP MEPs believe that co-operation is needed in the fight to combat cybercrime, but that that this should be concluded bilaterally between sovereign nations. UKIP also strongly oppose any attempt by the EU to establish further legal frameworks, particularly when this seeks to establish common definitions on terms associated with cybercrime.
Accessibility requirements for products and services (A8-0188/2017 - Morten Løkkegaard)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this legislative report at first reading. Whilst making products and services more accessible to people with disabilities is a positive aim, UKIP believes that it is not for the EU to tell Member States how to legislate in this area. Additionally, UKIP disagrees with harmonisation attempts and efforts to create a single market. UKIP MEPs voted against a number of amendments tabled to this report. They voted for amendments which would remove microenterprises from the scope of the legislation. They voted against any amendments seeking to increase the scope of the legislation: for example, amendments to include ‘persons with functional limitations’ in the legislation, as this goes beyond what the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets out, and it is not for the European Union to go beyond this.
EU-Chile Agreement on trade in organic products (A8-0257/2017 - Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández)
Protocol to the EU-Chile Association Agreement (accession of Croatia) (A8-0277/2017 - Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández)
Modernisation of the trade pillar of the EU-Chile Association Agreement (A8-0267/2017 - Inmaculada Rodríguez-Piñero Fernández)
. ‒ UKIP abstained on this non-legislative non-binding report, which notes that trade between Chile and the EU does not require freedom of movement of people, and it hopes that the Brexit negotiators on the EU side will be reminded of this. We abstained on this vote as we feel there is no need to interfere in trade.
Multi-annual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks (A8-0263/2017 - Ulrike Rodust)
Transparency, accountability and integrity in the EU institutions (A8-0133/2017 - Sven Giegold)
UKIP voted to abstain on this non-legislative own initiative report. It is extremely important that the EU institutions maintain a high level of transparency in order to ensure that it remains accountable. However, this is very much a report that has come about through closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. This report does not go far enough, there should be an independent body established in order to provide a relevant code of conduct that will ensure that all measures that are required to maintain integrity and transparency are met.
The future of the Erasmus+ programme (B8-0495/2017)
UKIP voted against this non—legislative motion for resolution. We are against further calls for self-promotion and budget increases, which this resolution calls for in line with the next MFF negotiations. This is despite the programme already having had a 40% increase since the last programme, as well as admitting that the success rate remains low, with only 5% of young citizens having benefited from the programme. Currently Erasmus+ costs the taxpayer EUR 14.7 billion. UKIP believes that this exchange scheme is not cost effective; exchange schemes can be conducted outside of Erasmus+ in the UK.
A new skills agenda for Europe (A8-0276/2017 - Martina Dlabajová, Momchil Nekov)
Multilateral Agreement on the establishment of a European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) (A8-0260/2017 - Roberts Zīle)
Subjecting acryloylfentanyl to control measures (A8-0284/2017 - Brice Hortefeux)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain on this technically non-legislative report. The UK already considers this substance to be worthy of being listed as a Class A drug. Furthermore, the UK is not bound by this decision taken at EU level. UKIP believe that controlling the drug in the EU could be beneficial in combatting the drug being available in the UK.
EU political relations with India (A8-0242/2017 - Cristian Dan Preda)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. We do not support the development of any type of EU foreign policy. We look forward to reinvigorating the UK’s ties with our important Commonwealth partners following the UK’s exit from the European Union, on a bilateral basis, when we will able to, once again, negotiate our own trade agreements.
Mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Italy (A8-0280/2017 - Giovanni La Via)
UKIP abstained on this legislative decision. This proposal is to give over EUR 1 billion to Italy to help in reconstruction efforts for earthquakes that occurred in 2016 and 2017. While of course UKIP opposes the EU spending any UK taxpayers’ money, the amount given would be budget-neutral. It does not mean the UK has to give more money to the EU, nor would it mean the UK would get money back if this money wasn’t given to Italy. The money will come from funds that had already been budgeted for. To be clear, this would not mean any additional funding is necessary from taxpayers. Additionally as this was for legitimate humanitarian reasons, UKIP felt it would be more responsible to abstain.
Draft amending budget No 4/2017 accompanying the proposal to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Italy (A8-0281/2017 - Jens Geier)
UKIP abstained on this legislative amending budget. This proposal is directly linked to the ‘mobilisation’ vote to give over EUR 1 billion to Italy for reconstruction efforts due to recent earthquakes. Whilst the other vote is concerned with the principle of giving the EUR 1 billion to Italy, this vote is to make sure that there is technically enough money in the correct budget-line to pay it. As it happens the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) does not have enough money in its budget-line to pay outright. The proposal here is to transfer some money from under used budget-lines, in to the EUSF. This would be budget-neutral and will not require additional funding from taxpayers.
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/002 FI Microsoft 2 (A8-0278/2017 - Petri Sarvamaa)
UKIP voted against this legislative decision. The proposal is to give over EUR 3.5 million to Finnish workers who have lost their jobs due to Microsoft downscaling its operation in the country. The money will go to areas such as retraining, job seeking, allowances for travel, start-up grants, etc. UKIP voted against as we don’t believe UK taxpayers’ money should be used for poor economic decisions in other countries. This is nothing more than EU dole money.
EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS): continuing current limitations of scope for aviation activities and preparing to implement a global market-based measure from 2021 (A8-0258/2017 - Julie Girling)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative report on aviation. UKIP believes that the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) is a huge failure for the EU. It forces industries to comply with absurd standards dictated by the Commission’s obsession to limit the global temperature increase to less than two degrees Celsius. The ETS has destroyed our industry, causing a considerable carbon leakage phenomenon. UKIP believes the only solution to this legislative chaos is to reject the EU energy policy together with the entire ETS system. Once out of the EU, the UK should be free from any EU legislation, including the emission trading scheme in the aviation sector.
Inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and forestry into the 2030 climate and energy framework (A8-0262/2017 - Norbert Lins)
UKIP MEPs voted against this legislative report on land use, land use change and forestry. UKIP rejects the Commission proposal. UKIP denies man—made climate change and believes that CO2 is not a pollutant. New legislation in this field would only bring further bureaucracy and economic damages to this sector. UKIP notes that forestry is not an EU competence.
Uniform format for residence permits for third country nationals (A8-0065/2017 - Jussi Halla-aho)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain on this legislative report. UKIP fully support measures that seek to tackle illegal migrants being able to easily forge residence permits. We cannot, however, support EU legislation and EU harmonisation practices. For these reasons, UKIP voted to abstain on this report.
Objection pursuant to Rule 105: Commission delegated regulation of 2 June 2017 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the specific compositional and information requirements for total diet replacement for weight control (B8-0497/2017)
Objection pursuant to Rule 106: draft Commission implementing Regulation amending Commission implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/6 as regards feed and food subjected to special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station (B8-0502/2017)
Draft amending budget No 3/2017: budgetary resources of the Youth Employment Initiative; establishment plans of ACER and SESAR2 (A8-0282/2017 - Jens Geier)
UKIP voted against this legislative amending budget. The proposal has two elements to it. The first (and far more important) is that the budget ceiling for the EU ‘Youth Employment Initiative’ will be increased by an extra EUR 500 million. The second part is minor adjustments to staff posts in the EU decentralised agencies ‘ACER’ and ‘SESAR2’, however no extra staff will be awarded to them. UKIP voted against because we oppose unaccountable EU institutions spending taxpayers’ money. Only our elected and accountable national governments should decide employment policies.
Arms export: implementation of Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (A8-0264/2017 - Bodil Valero)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding report. Arms exports are an intricate part of government policy, linked with both economic well—being and foreign policy interests. Whilst we are concerned at aspects of UK Government policy, in particular regarding Saudi Arabia, there is no justification for the transfer of these powers to the EU which, following Brexit, will be a foreign power.
Corruption and human rights in third countries (A8-0246/2017 - Petras Auštrevičius)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding report. This report raises many important breaches of human rights and corruption about which we are concerned. However we do not support the development of EU foreign policy or see any added value in EU action that cannot already be achieved by state or international level assistance.
2016 Report on Turkey (A8-0234/2017 - Kati Piri)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. UKIP has always asserted that Turkey is incompatible with EU membership. Despite recent events, this report does not go far enough and there is no guaranteed permanent end to the prospect of accession. The report only calls for the suspension of negotiations and only on the condition that the constitutional reform package is passed unchanged. In addition, under these circumstances money would not be returned to the Member States but would rather be redirected. UKIP wants a permanent and indefinite end to the accession negotiations and an end to all payments.Additional paragraphs in the report call for the continuation of visa liberalisation and practical membership of the Customs Union. Given the weak position on ending accession negotiations, continued financial payments and other policies, we had to vote against.We remain extremely concerned at the increased authoritarianism of the Erdogan regime and the human rights situation throughout the country.
Setting up a special committee on terrorism, its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office (B8-0477/2017)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative motion for a resolution. UKIP MEPs do not approve of establishing a new EU committee on terrorism, as this is already a competence of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. Moreover, establishing a new committee would ultimately prove to be costly and ineffective, and assist in the acceleration of EU legislation. UKIP MEPs did, however, support amendments to the resolution that weakened the mandate of the new committee.
European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) and establishing the EFSD Guarantee and the EFSD Guarantee Fund (A8-0170/2017 - Eduard Kukan, Doru-Claudian Frunzulică, Eider Gardiazabal Rubial)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this piece of legislation which seeks to see the establishment of the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) Guarantee and EFSD Guarantee Fund. The aims of the new fund are to mobilise EU grants to leverage investment from public and private sources to tackle the root causes of migration in the European Neighbourhood and Africa. The fund would be managed by the Commission and implemented in partnership with financial institutions such as the EIB.It is also proposed to have the Commission enhance technical assistance in partner countries and work towards improving the investment climate and overall policy environment in those countries. This means that the EU wants to be able to influence the countries’ national agendas and policies. This is just a case of the EU wasting more money and trying to increase its influence over nation states. For these reasons UKIP voted against.
Permitted uses of certain works and other protected subject-matter for the benefit of persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled (A8-0097/2017 - Max Andersson)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this legislative first reading. The Marrakesh Treaty is an excellent treaty to enable the visually impaired to have access to reading material. However, the EU has decided to proceed with a block ratification of the treaty. Treaties should be ratified within a timeframe that is comfortable and affordable to the Member States, and not forced through.
Cross-border exchange of accessible format copies of certain works and other protected subject-matter for the benefit of persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled (A8-0102/2017 - Max Andersson)
UKIP voted against this legislative first reading. The Marrakesh Treaty is an excellent treaty to enable the visually impaired to have access to reading material. However the EU has decided to proceed with a block ratification of the treaty. Treaties should be ratified within a time frame that is comfortable and affordable to the Member State and not forced through.
Double taxation dispute resolution mechanisms in the EU (A8-0225/2017 - Michael Theurer)
EU action for sustainability (A8-0239/2017 - Seb Dance)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative report on EU sustainability. UKIP believes that national parliaments, not the unelected EU Commission, should be responsible for deciding on citizens’ well-being and prosperity. We object to EU climate and energy policy whilst firmly denying the concept of man-made climate change.
Promoting cohesion and development in the outermost regions of the EU (A8-0226/2017 - Younous Omarjee)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report on promoting cohesion and development in the outermost regions of the EU. The report calls on the Commission to carry out a review of the outermost regions (OR) approach by examining their economic and social situations. It is none of the EU’s business to be intervening with these regions as it is the nation state who has the authority to conduct their own affairs however they like. Calls on the Commission to encourage farmers in the ORs to promote their products by supporting the use of the ORs logo. This can be seen to be another way of the EU trying to promote itself. The report ‘calls on the EU to join forces with the ORs to become a world maritime power’. The report encourages the Union and Member States to invest more into the field of sea and oceans. Granted that more money needs to be invested wisely into the field of sea and oceans but it is not for the EU to decide where nation states can spend their own money. For these reasons UKIP have voted against this report.
Conclusion of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (Resolution) (A8-0233/2017 - Elena Valenciano)
Memorandum of Understanding between the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice and Eurojust (A8-0215/2017 - Claude Moraes)
Fight against fraud to the Union's financial interests by means of criminal law (A8-0230/2017 - Ingeborg Gräßle, Juan Fernando López Aguilar)
UKIP MEPs have voted in favour of a rejection amendment that the EFDD group tabled to this legislative second reading report. UKIP firmly reject any proposals to harmonise criminal law in the EU as this is a significant infringement on Member States’ judicial sovereignty. Moreover, UKIP also strongly oppose providing a mandate for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate fraud in Member States.
HIV, TB and HCV epidemics in Europe on the rise (B8-0436/2017)
UKIP fully support all actions taken against fatal epidemics such as HIV and tuberculosis. We believe that national governments should develop and implement specific national plans to work to achieve the best possible results in this area having in mind a community and human rights-based approach for treatment and support. UKIP abstained on this resolution.
Preparation of the Commission Work Programme for 2018 (RC-B8-0434/2017, B8-0434/2017, B8-0435/2017, B8-0450/2017, B8-0451/2017, B8-0454/2017, B8-0455/2017, B8-0456/2017)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative motion for a resolution. UKIP principally reject the notion of calling on the Commission to do anything for the forthcoming year. UKIP tabled a number of amendments to this resolution, which were defeated, on issues regarding the UK’s departure from the European Union. These amendments aimed to ensure that the Brexit the British people voted for, including the end of ECJ jurisdiction in the UK and leaving the Common Fisheries Policy, is delivered. UKIP MEPs also voted against a number of amendments tabled by other political groups. UKIP rejected amendments that refused to recognise Northern Ireland and instead referred to it as the ‘North of Ireland’. UKIP also rejected amendments tabled that called for the dissolution of NATO and nuclear disarmament.
2018 Budget - Mandate for the trilogue (A8-0249/2017 - Siegfried Mureşan)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative resolution. This resolution called for more EU spending in next year’s budget including items on migration, security, defence and administration. UKIP opposes all increases in the EU budget as unaccountable EU institutions have no right to spend UK taxpayers’ money.
Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations (A8-0220/2017 - Elmar Brok, Silvia Costa)
Recommendation to the Council on the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly (A8-0216/2017 - Andrey Kovatchev)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We do not support the EU’s participation in the General Assembly and as such do not support Parliament’s recommendations. We are also particularly concerned by the continued efforts towards reform of the Security Council and the aspiration of a seat for the EU on the Security Council.
Building an ambitious EU industrial strategy as a strategic priority for growth, employment and innovation in Europe (RC-B8-0440/2017, B8-0439/2017, B8-0440/2017, B8-0445/2017, B8-0446/2017, B8-0447/2017, B8-0448/2017, B8-0449/2017)
EU-Kosovo Framework Agreement on the general principles for the participation of Kosovo in Union programmes (A8-0207/2017 - Ulrike Lunacek)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/001 ES/Castilla y León mining (A8-0248/2017 - Monika Vana)
UKIP voted against this budgetary report. The proposal was to give EUR 1 002 264 for 339 workers who have lost their jobs in Spain. The money would be spent on support for those workers in the form of counselling, job search and retraining, etc. UKIP opposes the idea that unaccountable EU institutions should spend UK taxpayers’ money, especially when it is to be used as dole money on account of poor economic decisions in other countries.
European standards for the 21st century (A8-0213/2017 - Marlene Mizzi)
The role of fisheries-related tourism in the diversification of fisheries (A8-0221/2017 - Renata Briano)
Limitation periods for traffic accidents (A8-0206/2017 - Pavel Svoboda)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, own—initiative report because the EU is trying to interfere with the limitation time available for claims in traffic accident issues. The UK legal system is possibly the oldest system in the world and our judicial system, based on common law, is very different to continental Europe and this type of harmonisation cannot work.
Common minimum standards of civil procedure (A8-0210/2017 - Emil Radev)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, own—initiative report because it is harmonisation of civil procedures. This is a power grab by the EU trying to ensure that every legal process falls in line with everyone else. Our legal system, which is a common law legal system, operates in a very different way and cannot be harmonised to fall in line with the rest of continental Europe, which operates on a different legal system.
Macro-financial assistance to Moldova (A8-0185/2017 - Sorin Moisă)
Introduction of temporary autonomous trade measures for Ukraine (A8-0193/2017 - Jarosław Wałęsa)
We voted against this legislative report as we feel this is yet another scheme to suck Ukraine in to the imperial orbit of the EU. The EU’s meddling in Ukraine has cost lives, and the EU has done nothing but inflame the situation further. We note that the EU and the Dutch Government ignored the results of a referendum on this deal in the Netherlands, further underlining both the contempt for democracy of the EU, and its reckless desire to further meddle in this unstable Eastern European country.
Draft amending budget n° 2 to the General budget 2017 entering the surplus of the financial year 2016 (A8-0229/2017 - Jens Geier)
UKIP voted against this resolution which adopted the amending budget. The original proposal from the Commission was to transfer over EUR 6 billion to this year’s EU budget, which was left unused from last year. This money would be used solely to reduce the amount each Member State would have to contribute to the EU this year. This money was not being used to increase the EU budget. However a resolution was intertwined with the original proposal which would adopt the proposal, but also called for more money for certain EU policies and called for the UK to pay more for Brexit. UKIP voted in favour of the separate vote on paragraph 9 to show our support for the proposal to reduce Member States’ contributions this year, but were forced to vote against the resolution as a whole as the resolution was trying to interfere in Brexit negotiations.
A longer lifetime for products: benefits for consumers and companies (A8-0214/2017 - Pascal Durand)
Addressing human rights violations in the context of war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including genocide (A8-0222/2017 - Cristian Dan Preda)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We support international work to prevent human rights violations and genocide, and to prosecute persecutors when these gross violations do occur. We cannot however support the development of an EU foreign policy or EU action as we believe it is an unnecessary layer between the bilateral, multilateral and international work that is already on-going.
Private security companies (A8-0191/2017 - Hilde Vautmans)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We do not support the increased militarisation of the European Union, including their use of Private Security Companies. The contribution of the private sector to defence and operations is a matter for Member States and international laws and norms. We cannot support EU legislative initiative in this area.
Working conditions and precarious employment (A8-0224/2017 - Neoklis Sylikiotis)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. Whilst as a party we have been concerned and have drawn up policies fighting precarious employment we do not support EU legislative initiative. Concerning the paragraphs related to the revision of the Posted Workers Directive we have long complained about the negative impact on British workers created by the directive. Whilst the Commission proposals come some way towards addressing wage discrepancies it also aims at increasing labour mobility throughout the EU.
Implementation of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (A8-0200/2017 - José Manuel Fernandes, Udo Bullmann)
UKIP voted to abstain on this non-legislative report. Although the report is broadly critical of the European Fund for Strategic Investments, and expresses concerns which we share, we cannot endorse the strategy of using public money to shelter private investors from risk – it leads to a misallocation of capital that will in turn lead to asset bubbles. Accordingly UKIP voted against the report as a whole.
European agenda for the collaborative economy (A8-0195/2017 - Nicola Danti)
Online platforms and the Digital Single Market (A8-0204/2017 - Henna Virkkunen, Philippe Juvin)
Humanitarian situation in Yemen (RC-B8-0407/2017, B8-0407/2017, B8-0408/2017, B8-0409/2017, B8-0410/2017, B8-0411/2017, B8-0412/2017, B8-0413/2017)
. ‒ UKIP abstained overall on this non-legislative and non-binding report. We cannot support EU action or the development of an EU foreign policy but we remain concerned at the ongoing conflict in Yemen and wish to see a long-lasting and stable solution. In particular, we are concerned at attempts by the EU to interfere with Member State trade policy. Whilst, as a party, we are critical of arms sales to Saudi Arabia, this should always remain a matter for the British Government and not the Commission.
Statute and funding of European political parties and foundations (B8-0405/2017, B8-0406/2017)
Binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement (A8-0208/2017 - Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this legislative report. The EU seeks to reduce emissions within its borders while forcing energy-intensive industries offshore to jurisdictions with lower emission standards. We in UKIP oppose EU climate and energy policy. We reject climate hysteria and we believe the EU should accept that the Paris Agreement is close to its end.
Objection to Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 as regards the control measures relating to the cultivation of hemp and certain provisions on payments (B8-0395/2017)
The need for an EU strategy to end and prevent the gender pension gap (A8-0197/2017 - Constance Le Grip)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report. Principally we oppose any form of EU action, and this report was looking to create an EU strategy. UKIP wholly believe issues such as the ones contained within the report, gender discrimination, gender pay and gender pension gap are issues that need to be tackled. However, UKIP believe that this is the sole competency of the individual Member States. This report calls for more legislation and regulation and seeks to interfere within the domestic life of men and women, which we cannot support.
2016 Report on Serbia (A8-0063/2017 - David McAllister)
State of play of the implementation of the Sustainability Compact in Bangladesh (B8-0396/2017)
Increasing engagement of partners and visibility in the performance of European Structural and Investment Funds (A8-0201/2017 - Daniel Buda)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. The report ‘points to the increase in Euroscepticism and in anti-European propaganda that distorts information on Union policies, and calls on the Commission and the Council to analyse and address their causes.’ By the sounds of it, the EU wants to spend more money on dead-end projects that do not convey an accurate message to people living in the EU. The document talked about how the EU wants to increase its dialogue with people in Member States, and it has called on the Commission to focus on an action plan for greater communication. UKIP does not support more money being wasted, nor does it believe that the Commission should be doing anything as it is an illegitimate political entity, and for these reasons voted against.
Cost effectiveness of the 7th Research Programme (A8-0194/2017 - Martina Dlabajová, Inés Ayala Sender)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report regarding the 7th Research Programme. The 7th Research Programme was an EU project which ran from 2007 to 2013 and had a budget of EUR 55 billion. The money would be spent on grants for research in Europe, but these would also have to have a ‘European added value’. The report says that there was no cost-benefit analysis of the 7th Research Programme, that there was an error rate of about 5% and that there were shortcomings in the oversight of the programme. The report goes on to call for more synergies between EU funds, and states that the Commission operated the programme effectively. UKIP believes that taxpayers’ money should not be used by unaccountable EU institutions. If we didn’t have to waste so much money on EU membership and bureaucracy, we would have more money available to support research in the UK.
Statelessness in South and South East Asia (A8-0182/2017 - Amjad Bashir)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. Whilst we recognise and sympathise with the issues related to statelessness in the region, in particular the suffering of the Rohingya in Myanmar, we cannot support EU action on the matter. We remain resolutely opposed to the development of any EU foreign policy, and this report makes several calls for such EU action.
Cross-border mergers and divisions (A8-0190/2017 - Enrico Gasbarra)
Participation of the Union in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (A8-0112/2017 - Sofia Sakorafa)
Specific measures to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters (A8-0070/2017 - Iskra Mihaylova)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain on this legislative document. The Commission proposal sought to change some bits of legislation to allow the EU to pay for 100% co-financing of the European Regional Development Fund for reconstruction efforts and also to make it easier to pre-authorise EU money for use in affected countries. The Commission stated that these changes will not need new money or raising of budget ceilings. This proposal has come about primarily because of recent horrendous earthquakes in Italy. This doesn’t mean the EU will be making the UK pay more money - it will just mean the EU will be able to use the money it already has more quickly to help give relief to areas hit by natural disasters.
Energy efficiency labelling (A8-0213/2016 - Dario Tamburrano)
UKIP voted against the legislative report on energy labelling. Despite the changes proposed by the EU parliament, we in UKIP believe that the new EU Commission proposal on energy labelling will bring great uncertainty for the industry and great confusion to consumers. We believe that this regulation is unnecessary and that it will be a new EU burden to deal with.
European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020 to 2033 (A8-0061/2017 - Santiago Fisas Ayxelà)
UKIP voted against this legislative report, which amended the 2014 decision on the establishment of the European Capitals of Culture for the years 2020—2033.This we believe is another propaganda scheme, to promote the EU and its values. This report extends the scheme beyond the EU Member States to allow participation from EFTA and EEA countries, which only confirms the self-promotion of the EU on a wider international scale.
Assessment of Horizon 2020 implementation (A8-0209/2017 - Soledad Cabezón Ruiz)
Building blocks for a post-2020 EU cohesion policy (A8-0202/2017 - Kerstin Westphal)
UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative report on building blocks for a post-2020 cohesion policy. The document called on the Commission to ensure that there is better cooperation between the ESI Funds and other Union funds. It also endorsed the Paris climate change agreement and the report underlines that the increased visibility of the cohesion policy is vital to fight against Euroscepticism and can contribute to regaining citizens’ confidence and trust. UKIP does not support the Paris climate change agreement nor does it believe in wasting UK tax payers’ money on vanity projects in order for the EU to promote itself.
Protection of vulnerable adults (A8-0152/2017 - Joëlle Bergeron)
. – UKIP have abstained on this non-legislative report, because the needs of vulnerable adults must be ensured within the Member States. It is important that every Member State ratifies the Hague Convention; it really should not be up to the EU to put pressure on the Member States to force the ratification. Ratification of the Hague Convention should be done in a timely manner and when the Member States are in a position to do so.
Introduction of temporary autonomous trade measures for Ukraine (A8-0193/2017 - Jarosław Wałęsa)
. – UKIP MEPs voted against this proposal, as we note with outrage that, by ratifying this agreement, the Dutch Parliament completely ignored the wishes of their electorate, by reversing the Dutch people’s democratic decision to oppose the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, in the Netherlands referendum held in April 2016. Continued EU intervention in the Ukraine crisis only serves to further exacerbate this terrible situation.
Uniform format for visas (A8-0028/2016 - Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann)
Multiannual Framework for the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2018-2022 (A8-0177/2017 - Angelika Mlinar)
Multiannual Framework for the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights for 2018-2022 (B8-0384/2017)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative motion for resolution. UKIP principally oppose the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), which is financed by the taxpayer, to conduct work that many national governments and NGO’s already do. This resolution seeks to expand the scope of this framework, so UKIP MEPs voted against.
The new European Consensus on Development - our world, our dignity, our future (B8-0387/2017, B8-0390/2017)
. – UKIP MEPs have voted against the new Consensus on Development in this motion for a resolution. UKIP does not support the European Union trying to further harmonise development policy. The EU wants to see one development policy to override all of the 28 other development policies from the national governments. With this one line of vision the EU will have the authority to instruct nation states where to spend their taxpayer money as well as wanting to push for the further expansion of the influence of the Union though their ‘common vision, values and principles’. UKIP does not want the EU to have more influence and see the further harmonisation of policies and so for these reasons UKIP has voted against.
Resilience as a strategic priority of the EU external action (B8-0381/2017)
. – UKIP MEPs voted against this motion for a resolution on resilience as a strategic priority of the external action for the EU. This document would like to see the 2013-2020 Action Plan for resilience fully implemented and it would like to promote ‘greater coherence between policies’. This would mean that the EU would like to see further integration of its policies in Member States and harmonisation throughout the European Union. In addition, the document has asked for ‘sufficient resources to be devoted to the promotion of resilience’. This means that the EU wants to put more money into failing and unsuccessful projects to promote resilience. UKIP does not support the EU wasting more money and for the further harmonisation of policies, and for these reasons UKIP voted against.
Combating anti-semitism (B8-0383/2017, B8-0388/2017)
. – UKIP MEPs have been permitted a free vote on this non-legislative resolution. UKIP firmly reject all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism. As some amendments concerned sensitive issues, such as the definition of ‘anti-Semitism’ and the right to criticise Israel, UKIP MEPs were permitted to vote based on their own conscience.
High-level UN Conference to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (UN Ocean Conference) (B8-0382/2017)
Agreement between the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway on an EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 (A8-0072/2017 - David Borrelli)
. ‒ We voted against, as we note with concern the EU’s attempts to bully its neighbouring countries economically and we wanted to send a strong condemnation. We would warn the EU that any such attempt to bully the UK would be foolhardy for both parties, and we look forward to an amicable deal between the UK and EU concerning market access once Brexit is complete.
The right funding mix for Europe’s regions: balancing financial instruments and grants in EU cohesion policy (A8-0139/2017 - Andrey Novakov)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP does not support the fact that more hard-earned tax-payer money is being thrown down the drain. The UK should have the right to spend its own money wherever it likes, without being directed by an unelected bureaucratic system which pumps vast amounts of money into failing projects. There is also the serious concern about the strong possibility of a repetition of the accumulated backlog of unpaid invoices. If the EU cannot control its finances with the money it already has, then why are national governments giving it more money? For these reasons UKIP voted against this report.
Future perspectives for technical assistance in cohesion policy (A8-0180/2017 - Ruža Tomašić)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this non-legislative report. UKIP does not support the growing influence that the EU is having through national governments and now they want to expand even further to the local and regional authorities. The EU has no legitimacy to be intervening in any countries national affairs. In addition the report wanted the increased communication on and the visibility of the results and successes achieved with the support of the ESI Funds which, in their eyes, could contribute to regaining citizens confidence and trust in the European project. UKIP does not agree with the EU gaining more influence over Member States and do not want to see more money being wasted on the EU promoting itself. For these reasons UKIP voted against this report
Cross-border portability of online content services in the internal market (A8-0378/2016 - Jean-Marie Cavada)
UKIP voted against this Regulation as it will allow access to online content across the EU. It is discriminatory against people who are in the EU but their country of residence is not a Member State. This Regulation is calling for harmonisation of cross-portability rules across Member States and ensures that right holders and online service providers from different Member States are subject to the same rules. Harmonisation of copyright legislation is not practical. Furthermore if a one-off annual fee is payable it will not count as online content that can be included in this Regulation.
Achieving the two-state solution in the Middle East (RC-B8-0345/2017, B8-0345/2017, B8-0346/2017, B8-0347/2017, B8-0348/2017, B8-0352/2017, B8-0354/2017)
. ‒ UKIP abstained on this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. UKIP supports international and regionally led initiatives to find a viable solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict as long as the sovereignty and integrity of Israel is maintained. However, we do not support any foreign-policy role for the European Union, or the two Common Security and Defence Policy missions in the region.
EU Strategy on Syria (RC-B8-0331/2017, B8-0331/2017, B8-0333/2017, B8-0335/2017, B8-0337/2017, B8-0338/2017, B8-0341/2017, B8-0342/2017)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We are appalled at the longevity of the war in Syria and the human suffering that this is causing. We support measures to bring a genuine and lasting solution to the war. However, we remain firmly against the development of an EU foreign policy.
Road transport in the European Union (B8-0290/2017)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this motion for a resolution, which covers infrastructure, competition, technological development and workers’ rights, among other things.The main problem here is the belief expressed in the resolution that the obstacles in the EU road transport sector are due to legal and bureaucratic complexities, and that these should be addressed in order to free up the movement of goods and services. The report advocates harmonisation, failing to recognise that the rules Member States have in place in relation to the acceptance of goods and workers are there for a reason.Furthermore, the resolution calls on the Commission to examine ways of reducing the bureaucratic and financial burdens of national legislation in order to facilitate the freedom to provide transport services across the EU. The Commission needs to take a hard look at itself before it turns to any examination of national legislation.
Dadaab refugee camp (RC-B8-0300/2017, B8-0300/2017, B8-0332/2017, B8-0334/2017, B8-0336/2017, B8-0339/2017)
Making relocation happen (B8-0340/2017, B8-0343/2017, B8-0344/2017)
. ‒ UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative motion for resolution. UKIP believes that asylum and immigration policy should be decided by national governments. UKIP MEPs also reject calls in this report for the Commission to conduct infringement proceedings against Member States which are not meeting relocation targets set by the EU.
Implementation of the Council's LGBTI Guidelines, particularly in relation to the persecution of (perceived) homosexual men in Chechnya, Russia (B8-0349/2017, B8-0349/2017, B8-0350/2017, B8-0351/2017, B8-0353/2017, B8-0355/2017, B8-0356/2017)
Protocol to the EU-Mongolia Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (accession of Croatia) (A8-0074/2017 - Helmut Scholz)
EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Agreement (accession of Croatia) (A8-0169/2017 - Cristian Dan Preda)
EU-Norway Agreement on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa (A8-0174/2017 - Tomáš Zdechovský)
EU accession to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) (A8-0187/2017 - Fernando Ruas)
We voted against this legislative report. Firstly, we object to the EU becoming a member of international bodies in its own right, as it would enable to the EU to bully other countries. Secondly, we note that the concept of the EU joining bodies in its own name is conferred by powers under the Lisbon Treaty, which the EU forced on the people of Europe without their consent.
EU eGovernment action plan 2016-2020 (A8-0178/2017 - Sabine Verheyen)
Annual report 2015 on the protection of EU's financial interests - Fight against fraud (A8-0159/2017 - Julia Pitera)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report; even though the figures and criticisms are very useful, the solution it offers is that to combat the fraud there needs to be more EU legislation and power. The report highlights that the cost of known fraudulent and non-fraudulent irregularities in the budget amounts to over EUR 3 billion. It states that the ECB estimates that the cost of counterfeiting since the euro was set up in 2002 amounts to approximately EUR 500 million. The report criticises the Commission for the increases in irregularities and that the Commission no longer seems to want to publish an EU anti-corruption report anymore. However the solutions offered by the report call for more EU legislation and action on VAT, own resources and support for a European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The ultimate way to end fraud in the EU budget is to get rid of an EU budget altogether. UKIP voted against as we oppose calling for any more EU legislation and because we fundamentally disagree with the EU spending and wasting any taxpayers’ money.
Resource efficiency: reducing food waste, improving food safety (A8-0175/2017 - Biljana Borzan)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative report because not only do we deny climate change hysteria, but we also reject further EU legislation. Food waste is an issue that needs to be addressed by Europe and the world. However, we believe that national parliaments should monitor food safety issues without the creation of further EU legislation.
EU trade mark (A8-0054/2017 - Tadeusz Zwiefka)
Minamata Convention on Mercury (A8-0067/2017 - Stefan Eck)
UKIP is concerned of the adverse effects of mercury on human and animal health – in humans, mercury affects mostly the central nervous system and the kidneys. Acute inhalation, dermal exposure and chronic exposure are proved to be extremely damaging to human health. This is why UKIP abstained on this Recommendation.
Agreement on Operational and Strategic Cooperation between Denmark and Europol (A8-0164/2017 - Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain on this technically non-legislative report. UKIP fully respects the will of the Danish people who chose to have less involvement with Europol. UKIP do, however, oppose calls in this report to exhaust all legal possibilities to invite Denmark to be full members of Europol. This without doubt seeks to undermine the democratic will of the Danish people.
Annual report on the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank for 2015 (A8-0161/2017 - Nedzhmi Ali)
Structural Reform Support Programme for 2017-2020 (A8-0374/2016 - Lambert van Nistelrooij, Constanze Krehl)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative report. UKIP does not support the Structural Reform Support Programme that has been put in place to strengthen the capacity of Member States to design and implement growth-enhancing administrative and structural reforms. The EU has no right to be intervening in national state affairs and in addition this vanity project costs the taxpayer EUR 142 million at current prices for the programme. In addition, the EU wants to see the further harmonisation of programmes and policies throughout the Union. For these reasons, UKIP voted against this report.
Union programme to support specific activities in the field of financial reporting and auditing (A8-0291/2016 - Theodor Dumitru Stolojan)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Commission and executive agencies (A8-0150/2017 - Joachim Zeller)
UKIP voted against granting discharge and closing the accounts of the Commission budget and related EU agencies for 2015. UKIP opposes the operation of EU agencies and is against the EU spending any taxpayers’ money. In the attached motion for a resolution UKIP voted for amendments that called for better rules regarding Commissioner conflicts of interest and better scrutiny of EU funds.
Discharge 2015: Court of Auditors' special reports in the context of the 2015 Commission discharge (A8-0160/2017 - Joachim Zeller)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative, non-binding resolution. The Court of Auditors special reports are investigations into how EU money is being spent and often shed light on misuse of funds and help hold the un-elected Commission to account. While of course UKIP is opposed to any EU institution, we would not want to oppose the use of these special reports which are very useful to find out how taxpayers’ money is being spent.
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th EDFs (A8-0125/2017 - Younous Omarjee)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Parliament (A8-0153/2017 - Dennis de Jong)
UKIP voted against granting discharge and closing the accounts of the European Parliament for 2015. UKIP opposes the operation of any EU institution in principle and this Parliament wastes billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money. UKIP voted for amendments to the attached resolution which calls for a single seat, more transparency of internal documents, better transparency of the general expenditure allowance, better rules on the conduct of MEPs, that management costs of the European House of History should not be funded by taxpayers, and the ending of taxpayers’ money going to pan-EU political parties and foundations.
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Council and Council (A8-0131/2017 - Bart Staes)
UKIP voted in favour of postponing discharge and postponing closure of the accounts of the Council for 2015. UKIP opposes the operation of any EU institution in principle and the EU Council wastes billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money. The Council historically does not fully cooperate with the discharge procedure of the European Parliament, so UKIP was happy to vote in favour of the attached resolution to criticise the Council for this.
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Court of Justice (A8-0136/2017 - Benedek Jávor)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Court of Auditors (A8-0151/2017 - Benedek Jávor)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Economic and Social Committee (A8-0144/2017 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - Committee of the Regions (A8-0141/2017 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European External Action Service (A8-0122/2017 - Benedek Jávor)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Ombudsman (A8-0142/2017 - Benedek Jávor)
Discharge 2015: EU general budget - European Data Protection Supervisor (A8-0140/2017 - Bart Staes)
Discharge 2015: Performance, financial management and control of EU agencies (A8-0149/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
UKIP abstained on this non-legislative, non-binding resolution. This report is on the one hand calling for more transparency regarding the EU agencies, better budgetary reporting and stronger protection for whistle-blowers - however it also supports these EU agencies continuing and expanding their functions which UKIP can’t support.
Discharge 2015: Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) (A8-0147/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: Office of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) (A8-0143/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union (CdT) (A8-0075/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) (A8-0145/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Police College (CEPOL) (A8-0081/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) (A8-0087/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Asylum Support Office (EASO) (A8-0093/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Banking Authority (EBA) (A8-0079/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) (C8-0293/2016)
Discharge 2015: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (A8-0086/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Environment Agency (EEA) (A8-0085/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) (A8-0100/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (A8-0098/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) (A8-0106/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) (A8-0101/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) (A8-0127/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Medicines Agency (EMA) (A8-0084/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) (A8-0099/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) (A8-0130/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) (A8-0115/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Railway Agency (ERA) (A8-0128/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) (A8-0124/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Training Foundation (ETF) (A8-0118/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) (A8-0105/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) (A8-0116/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: Euratom Supply Agency (ESA) (A8-0126/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) (A8-0111/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Union's Judicial Cooperation Unit (Eurojust) (A8-0129/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Police Office (Europol) (A8-0107/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) (A8-0146/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex) (A8-0137/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: European GNSS Agency (GSA) (A8-0148/2017 - Inés Ayala Sender)
Discharge 2015: Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI) (A8-0103/2017 - Miroslav Poche)
Discharge 2015: Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking (A8-0094/2017 - Miroslav Poche)
Discharge 2015: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (FCH) (A8-0109/2017 - Miroslav Poche)
Discharge 2015: Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (IMI) (A8-0083/2017 - Miroslav Poche)
Discharge 2015: ITER Joint Undertaking (A8-0108/2017 - Miroslav Poche)
Discharge 2015: SESAR Joint Undertaking (A8-0096/2017 - Miroslav Poche)
EU flagship initiative on the garment sector (A8-0080/2017 - Lola Sánchez Caldentey)
UKIP MEPs have voted to abstain in this non-legislative report. UKIP does not support the Commission developing a monitoring system which encompasses data collection. The EU has no right to be intervening in national state affairs. However, the report does talk about greater transparency and traceability of garments and it is calling on the Commission to make gender equality, women empowerment and children’s rights. Although the report calls on the Commission a lot it is centred around human rights and more specific children’s rights and for this reason UKIP will abstain.
Annual report on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank (A8-0121/2017 - Georgios Kyrtsos)
. ‒ This non-legislative non-binding report, suggests that the EIB should consider demanding more capital from shareholders (i.e. more money from the UK and other Member States) and calls on the Commission and Member States to increase the budget for external lending. Accordingly UKIP voted against it.
Implementation of the Mining Waste Directive (A8-0071/2017 - György Hölvényi)
. ‒ UKIP believes it is important to protect human health and the environment from the improper management of waste facilities that could give rise to major accidents. We believe that measures, procedures and guidance to prevent and reduce adverse effects on the environment and human health resulting from the management of extractive waste should be established by national parliaments. That is why UKIP abstained on this non-legislative report.
Situation in Venezuela (RC-B8-0270/2017, B8-0270/2017, B8-0271/2017, B8-0272/2017, B8-0274/2017, B8-0275/2017, B8-0276/2017, B8-0277/2017)
Wholesale roaming markets (A8-0372/2016 - Miapetra Kumpula-Natri)
UKIP voted against the EU legislative report on wholesale roaming markets. We are against regulatory intervention on pricing in what are supposed to be free markets. We do not believe that this will benefit consumers, as it is claimed. Operating companies will seek to recover margin and revenue elsewhere, and this will be regressive: while saving costs for well-heeled business travellers it is likely to increase costs for lower-intensity users.
Third countries whose nationals are subject to or exempt from a visa requirement: Ukraine (A8-0274/2016 - Mariya Gabriel)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative first reading report. UKIP proposed a rejection amendment to this report to reject the proposal completely, but this was not supported by the parliament. UKIP principally do not support the EU concluding visa free agreements with third countries, particularly when the country in question has such a large population.
European Solidarity Corps (B8-0238/2017)
UKIP MEPs voted against this non-legislative motion for resolution. We oppose such schemes being conducted at the expense of the taxpayer, which are used to promote the EU. Furthermore, not only is this a duplication of current voluntary schemes already in place; there is also severe lack of clarity as to how this scheme is being funded, despite the fact that the first volunteer has been ‘deployed’ on a project, there is no specific budget line or allocation.
Adequacy of the protection afforded by the EU-US privacy Shield (B8-0235/2017, B8-0244/2017)
Negotiations with the United Kingdom following its notification that it intends to withdraw from the European Union (RC-B8-0237/2017, B8-0237/2017, B8-0241/2017, B8-0242/2017, B8-0243/2017)
Article 50 does not make provision for the European Parliament to have any input into the withdrawal negotiations. In reference to the European Parliament it merely says that the final withdrawal agreement requires the ‘consent of the European Parliament’, and that is to be by a simple majority vote.UKIP does not accept that the Article 50 route is the way the UK should leave the EU. UKIP does not accept the legitimacy of the European Parliament to have a say in the negotiating of the Withdrawal Agreement.The fact that UKIP submitted amendments to the Resolution, and voted on it, does not indicate our tacit or implied approval of the Resolution or the Parliament's right to participate in the Article 50 process.UKIP submitted amendments to, and voted on, the Resolution only in order to make specific points about the withdrawal process, and so that the British public can see where we stand on these issues.
Ratification and accession to the 2010 Protocol to the Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention with the exception of aspects related to judicial cooperation in civil matters (A8-0076/2017 - Pavel Svoboda)
Ratification and accession to the 2010 Protocol to the Hazardous and Noxious Substances Convention with regard to aspects related to judicial cooperation in civil matters (A8-0078/2017 - Pavel Svoboda)
Medical devices (A8-0068/2017 - Glenis Willmott)
UKIP supported an amendment to reject new EU legislation on medical devices. The role of medical devices is of exceptional importance. This sector has a fundamental role in the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring and treatment of diseases. We agree with the effectiveness of unannounced controls on the production site as well as the importance of increased transparency. However, we believe that the best legislator is the government of the country that faces these problems.
In vitro diagnostic medical devices (A8-0069/2017 - Peter Liese)
UKIP supported an amendment to reject new EU legislation on medical devices. The role of medical devices is of exceptional importance. This sector has a fundamental role in the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring and treatment of diseases. We agree with the effectiveness of unannounced controls on the production site as well as the importance of increased transparency. However, we believe that the best legislator is the government of the country that faces these problems.
Money market funds (A8-0041/2015 - Neena Gill)
By restricting the investment products that Money Market Funds can acquire for their portfolio, the EU is not only restricting freedom of contract but also adding to concentration counterparty risk and may produce asset bubbles in certain asset classes. Accordingly UKIP voted to reject the proposals.
Multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020 (A8-0110/2017 - Jan Olbrycht, Isabelle Thomas)
UKIP voted against the budgetary proposal as it will expand some of the financial instruments that the EU can use to spend taxpayer’s money outside the normal budget limits. Money to be used by these instruments will now be allowed for ‘migration and security’ reasons. The Global Margin for Payments budget will be increased for 2019 (+ EUR 2 billion) and 2020 (+ EUR 3 billion). The Emergency Aid Reserve will get an extra EUR 20 million (so now a budget of EUR 300 million a year). The Flexibility Instrument will be increased by an extra EUR 129 million (so now a budget of EUR 600 million a year), but also the Commission will be compelled to calculate and increase the amount available for this instrument each year. For the ‘global margin for commitments for growth and employment, in particular youth employment’, migration and security will be added for which money can be spent, but also the text limiting what years extra money can be used is removed – so now any money left over from a budget ceiling from any year can be used for this instrument.
Multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020 (Resolution) (A8-0117/2017 - Jan Olbrycht, Isabelle Thomas)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding motion for a resolution because it supported the proposal to expand some of the financial instruments that the EU can use to spend taxpayer’s money outside the normal budget limits. The resolution also included a number of ‘joint statements’ by the Council and EU Parliament regarding political commitments to increase some other budget lines.
Mobilisation of the Contingency Margin (A8-0104/2017 - Jan Olbrycht, Isabelle Thomas)
UKIP voted against this budgetary proposal as it will allow the use of more money in future years. Back in 2014 the EU needed extra money so they used the ‘Contingency Margin’ to mobilise EUR 3.1 billion for 2014. A payment plan for this money of around 900 million would come out of the future budgets 2018, 2019 and 2020. However in 2017 it is found there is over EUR9 billion available for payments in the budget. So the proposal here is to change the payment plan for the 2018-2020 years, and just pay it all off from the 2017 budget. UKIP are voting against because the original decision will, in theory, reduce the ceilings for future budgets - whereas the new proposal will let them pay it all off now allowing them to use the full budget ceilings for future years. The money involved has already been mobilised and used, nothing can be done about that now - the only decision in this vote, is whether it should be paid back in 2017, or spread out over 2018-2020 as originally intended.
Draft Amending Budget No 1/2017 accompanying the proposal to mobilise the EU Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Portugal (A8-0155/2017 - Jens Geier)
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2017/000 TA 2017 - Technical assistance at the initiative of the Commission (A8-0157/2017 - Victor Negrescu)
Automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Latvia (A8-0089/2017 - Claude Moraes)
Automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Slovakia, Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Cyprus, Poland, Sweden, Malta and Belgium (A8-0091/2017 - Judith Sargentini)
Automated data exchange with regard to dactyloscopic data in Slovakia, Bulgaria, France, Czech Republic, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Hungary, Cyprus, Estonia, Malta, Romania and Finland (A8-0092/2017 - Tomáš Zdechovský)
Automatic exchange of data concerning vehicles registered in Finland, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, Sweden, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary (A8-0095/2017 - Filiz Hyusmenova)
Automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Malta, Cyprus and Estonia (A8-0090/2017 - Maria Grapini)
Addressing refugee and migrant movements: the role of EU External Action (A8-0045/2017 - Elena Valenciano, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra)
Approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (A8-0048/2017 - Daniel Dalton)
Palm oil and deforestation of rainforests (A8-0066/2017 - Kateřina Konečná)
Yesterday UKIP abstained on the non-legislative report on palm oil. The Malaysian rainforest is the only place in the world where elephants, tigers and rhinos co-exist, as well as being the home of orang-utans, and these species are facing extinction due to mass deforestation caused by palm oil being grown on a huge industrial scale. Nothing can live on palm oil plantations due to it being a monoculture. However, we oppose a single EU certification and we would prefer national parliaments to take decisions on this issue.
Draft recommendation following the inquiry into emission measurements in the automotive sector (B8-0177/2017)
EU priorities for the UN Human Rights Council sessions in 2017 (RC-B8-0183/2017, B8-0183/2017, B8-0184/2017, B8-0185/2017, B8-0186/2017, B8-0187/2017, B8-0188/2017, B8-0189/2017)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. Whilst we support the promotion of human rights globally and support genuine international institutions in this work, we do not believe that the EU should have any role in this. On the contrary, many EU policies, in particular on trade, have contributed to the maintenance of poverty in Africa.
Supply chain due diligence by importers of minerals and metals originating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (A8-0141/2015 - Iuliu Winkler)
UKIP recognises the need to protect people from abuses in war, and welcomes initiatives such as the Kimberley process whereby conflict diamonds are policed. UKIP hopes an independent Britain will continue to be an active player in this and similar areas. We voted abstain as we did not wish to stand in the way of efforts to prevent metals from conflict zones where abuses against children and civilians have occurred.
Constitutional, legal and institutional implications of a Common Security and Defence Policy: possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty (A8-0042/2017 - Esteban González Pons, Michael Gahler)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. We do not support the development of a more militarised EU and are actively against any EU measures that would contradict or undermine the work of NATO. It is NATO that helped to secure Europe during the Cold War, not the EU. Of particular concern to us are the financial aspects of this support, which should not be increased until after the UK has withdrawn from the EU.
An integrated EU policy for the Arctic (A8-0032/2017 - Urmas Paet, Sirpa Pietikäinen)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative and non-binding resolution. Whilst we recognise the growing importance of the Arctic in economic and geopolitical terms we reject wholeheartedly this report’s attempts to interfere in the sovereign energy and foreign policies of Member States. The Arctic Council is a sufficient forum for the discussion of issues related to the region and there is no necessity for the EU to be granted any official or unofficial status within this body.
e-Democracy in the EU: potential and challenges (A8-0041/2017 - Ramón Jáuregui Atondo)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative Report because e-democracy at the moment is not as secure as it should be. Furthermore it is not for the EU to tell Member States how they should be running their elections. If the country is ready to pursue an online voting system then it will pursue it at a time when it is ready to do so.
EU-Brazil Agreement: modification of concessions in the schedule of Croatia in the course of its accession (A8-0052/2017 - José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra)
Launch of automated data exchange with regard to vehicle registration data in Denmark (A8-0051/2017 - Maria Grapini)
Launch of automated data exchange with regard to DNA data in Greece (A8-0053/2017 - Claude Moraes)
Food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (A8-0022/2017 - Karin Kadenbach)
Commission's approval of Germany's revised plan to introduce a road toll (B8-0180/2017)
UKIP have voted against this resolution because we feel that it is important that Member States keep control over their own fiscal policies in relation to the transport network. What works in one country may not work in another, so the EU stating that they would prefer harmonisation with regard to road tolls is nothing more than a stealthy power grab and a dictatorial stance on how best to ‘tax’.
Guidelines for the 2018 budget - Section III (A8-0060/2017 - Siegfried Mureşan)
UKIP voted against this non-binding budgetary report. This vote was Parliament’s position ahead of the 2018 EU budget negotiations. It included all the usual calls for more money to be spent and more EU initiatives. UKIP tabled 10 amendments ranging from rejecting the EU defence initiatives, to cutting administration costs and opposing new powers for the EU. Amendment 26 which UKIP tabled stated that the ‘future MFF proposal should not include the UK’s contribution or entail any legal obligations on the UK regarding its liabilities’. This amendment would ensure there would be no Brexit bill and no liabilities on the UK after 2020. Sadly this amendment was rejected – the Conservative party abstained and the Labour party voted against this amendment.
Mercury (A8-0313/2016 - Stefan Eck)
This legislative proposal concerns: import, export and use of mercury. Mercury can bring several adverse effects to human and animal health – it affects mostly the central nervous system and the kidneys. Acute inhalation, dermal exposure and chronic exposure are proved to be damaging to human health. For these reasons we have abstained on this report.
Long-term shareholder engagement and corporate governance statement (A8-0158/2015 - Sergio Gaetano Cofferati)
Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (A8-0251/2016 - Vicky Ford)
UKIP MEPs have voted against this legislative report. UKIP do not believe the legislation is proportionate to its intended objective of combatting terrorism. Furthermore, UKIP strongly condemn the lack of an impact assessment from the Commission. We consider these legislative changes will only harm law abiding citizens who possess or acquire firearms.
End-of-life vehicles, waste batteries and accumulators and waste electrical and electronic equipment (A8-0013/2017 - Simona Bonafè)
The EU Commission and the rapporteur believe that the EU circular economy is an efficient economic model that ensures that the environment receives adequate protection. The rapporteur believes it is the key to promote reindustrialisation and competitiveness in Europe. The main objective of this proposal is to transform the Union into a green, low-carbon economy. We are against the EU Commission proposal, we believe that this issue should be competence of National Parliaments.
Waste (A8-0034/2017 - Simona Bonafè)
The EU Commission and the rapporteur believe that the EU circular economy is an efficient economic model that ensures that the environment receives adequate protection. The rapporteur believes it is the key to promote reindustrialisation and competitiveness in Europe. The main objective of this proposal is to transform the Union into a green, low-carbon economy. We are against the EU Commission proposal, we believe that this issue should be competence of National Parliaments.
Landfill of waste (A8-0031/2017 - Simona Bonafè)
The EU Commission and the rapporteur believe that the EU circular economy is an efficient economic model that ensures that the environment receives adequate protection. The rapporteur believes it is the key to promote reindustrialisation and competitiveness in Europe. The main objective of this proposal is to transform the Union into a green, low-carbon economy. We are against the EU Commission proposal, we believe that this issue should be competence of National Parliaments.
Packaging and packaging waste (A8-0029/2017 - Simona Bonafè)
The EU Commission and the rapporteur believe that the EU circular economy is an efficient economic model that ensures that the environment receives adequate protection. The rapporteur believes it is the key to promote reindustrialisation and competitiveness in Europe. The main objective of this proposal is to transform the Union into a green, low-carbon economy. We are against the EU Commission proposal, we believe that this issue should be competence of National Parliaments.
Equality between women and men in the EU in 2014-2015 (A8-0046/2017 - Ernest Urtasun)
UKIP voted by way of a conscience vote on this non-legislative report. This report contained some highly sensitive issues, with regard to sexual and reproductive rights as well as tackling violence against women. Whilst there were aspects of this report that we opposed, such as calling for the creation of new initiatives, as well as gender quotas, the vote was open to freedom of conscience.
Equal treatment between men and women in the access to and supply of goods and services (A8-0043/2017 - Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz)
UKIP voted by way of a conscience vote on this non-legislative report. Whilst there were aspects of this report that we opposed, such as the EU monitoring Member States. This report contained some highly sensitive issues such as tackling violence against women. The vote was therefore left open to freedom of conscience.
EU funds for gender equality (A8-0033/2017 - Clare Moody)
UKIP voted by way of a conscience vote on this non-legislative report. Whilst there were aspects of this report that we opposed, such as calling for an increase in the next MFF allocation and the inclusion of gender budgeting within various EU programmes, this report contained some highly sensitive issues such as tackling violence against women. The vote was therefore left open to freedom of conscience.
Fundamental rights implications of big data (A8-0044/2017 - Ana Gomes)
EU-Liechtenstein Agreement on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa (A8-0025/2017 - Josef Weidenholzer)
Information exchange mechanism with regard to intergovernmental agreements and non-binding instruments in the field of energy (A8-0305/2016 - Zdzisław Krasnodębski)
Implementation of the Creative Europe programme (A8-0030/2017 - Silvia Costa)
Implementation of the Europe for Citizens programme (A8-0017/2017 - María Teresa Giménez Barbat)
Common Commercial Policy in the context of wildlife sustainability imperatives (A8-0012/2017 - Emma McClarkin)
UKIP does not wish to stand in the way of any measure which aims to tackle trade in products derived from endangered species. Whilst the EU’s track record of protecting animals and their rights is somewhat jaded, we nevertheless did not wish to oppose this, so we abstained, confident it would pass through the Parliament.
An integrated approach to Sport Policy: good governance, accessibility and integrity (A8-0381/2016 - Hannu Takkula)
UKIP voted against this non-legislative non-binding report. We oppose the EU intervening in sport policy and oppose interference in the criminal law of Member States, particularly in the case of this report on ‘match fixing’, which is already considered a punishable offence by UK law. Furthermore, we do not support the EU signing Council of Europe treaties on behalf of Member States and are against the use of EU propaganda tools such as the encouragement of the EU flag and symbol at international sports events.
Cross-border aspects of adoptions (A8-0370/2016 - Tadeusz Zwiefka)
UKIP voted to abstain on this report. It is extremely important that children are safeguarded and adoption is an important way of ensuring that they are protected. However it is all too obvious to see that the EU is looking at ways to harmonise legislation across the Member States on such an emotive topic. The systems that are in place, for example in the UK, are there to protect the child and UKIP could in no way justify putting children at risk by allowing what only appears to be a further power grab by the EU.
Bilateral safeguard clause and stabilisation mechanism for bananas of the EU-Colombia and Peru Trade Agreement (A8-0277/2016 - Marielle de Sarnez)
. ‒ We voted against this legislative report because of its naked protectionism. We are a free-trade party and do not believe that consumers in the UK should be harmed because of the EU’s attempts to impose protectionism. We note that when it comes to bananas, the EU has a track record of triggering needless trade wars. With relief we note that Britain will soon no longer be subject to EU trade laws and we look forward to Britain being an independent champion of free trade.
Implementation of Erasmus + (A8-0389/2016 - Milan Zver)
. ‒ UKIP voted against this non-legislative, non-binding report as we are inherently against the use of taxpayers’ money for such a glorified mobility scheme. The UK is able to conduct its own exchange schemes outside of the Erasmus+ programme. We further oppose the calls in this report to introduce new initiatives and to increase budgets in order to sustain them. Erasmus+ has already received a 12.7% increase in its budget for 2017, and another budget increase would be deemed unnecessary.
EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement: procedures for its application (A8-0361/2016 - Adam Szejnfeld)
We voted against this legislative report, as it is a step towards the eventual EU membership of Kosovo. Kosovo’s poverty, corruption and treatment of its Serb minority make it unsuitable for membership. Whilst we are about to leave the EU, we are in no rush to add corrupt and impoverished countries to the EU to take the place of a vibrant and dynamic independent Britain. We also note the fact that Kosovo is not universally recognised as an independent state by important sections of the international community.
Imports of textile products from certain third countries not covered by specific Union import rules (A8-0311/2016 - Hannu Takkula)
Objection to a delegated act: Identifying high-risk third countries with strategic deficiencies (B8-0001/2017)
Logistics in the EU and multimodal transport in the new TEN-T corridors (A8-0384/2016 - Inés Ayala Sender)
UKIP voted against this non legislative report, because this report is calling for Member States to be punished should there be a delay in the implementation of EU law. Furthermore the report is calling for disciplinary action to be taken against Member States that impede the free movement of goods by deliberately preventing freight flows.
A European Pillar of Social Rights (A8-0391/2016 - Maria João Rodrigues)