Breast Implant Crisis 'could have been prevented' The current crisis over the insertion of potentially faulty PIP breast implants has raised many important questions over their registration and regulation. In 2003, I first got support from fellow MEPs to have a register that worked across Europe so that women would know who manufactured their implants, and I have been campaigning for it ever since. After this crisis, the Commission should now set up a registration system straight away. Spanish newspaper ‘El Pais’ have written about my campaign this week, which can be viewed here. Obviously, you cannot stop fraud, which is what has happened here, but if you had a register then all women would now know where their implant came from and there would not be thousands of women worrying up and down the UK. In the UK, more than 9,000 women had this surgery, but are not properly protected due to a lack of regulation. This crisis is awful for the women who have received faulty implants, and it's also terrible for the very many women who are now uncertain as to whether they might be at risk. These private companies are walking away from their moral obligations. They may claim they don't have the resources to remove implants they have inserted, but they were perfectly happy to rake in money from selling sub-standard, cheap implants to women. This crisis with breast implants should not have happened, and we now have to work at a European level to stop it from happening again.
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Labour Women's Network (LWN) is an organisation of female members of the Labour Party dedicated to supporting Labour women to play a full and active part in the Party. An integral role of the LWN is to provide training for members and to promote gender balance.
Ahead of the Leadership election, LWN have written to the 3 candidates for Leader: Tom Harris MP, Johann Lamont MSP and Ken MacIntosh MSP, and three candidates for the Deputy Leadership: Ian Davidson MP, Lewis MacDonald MSP and Anas Sarwar MP.
Responses can be read online
The Labour Party: winning for women in Europe
Back (l-r) Catherine Stihler MEP, Mary Honeyball MEP, Glenis Wilmott MEP
Front (l-r) – Linda McAvan MEP and Glenis Wilmott MEP This picture was taken in March to mark International Women’s Day (8 March 2011) |
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The 16th November 2011 marked World COPD day. The European COPD Coalition were active in the European Parliament, spreading awareness of the disease and calling for urgent action now. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a neglected epidemic. It is the umbrella term for a group of fatal lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It kills more people in the UK, each year, than both bowel cancer and breast cancer and many of the localities with the highest recorded rates are in Scotland. There are around 100,000 people a year in Scotland suffering from the disease, with a predicted increase of 33% by 2030. I fully support the work of the European COPD Coaltion who are calling on all politicians, patients, carers, medical experts and suffers of other lung diseases to unite their voices. COPD is a debilitating and costly disease - it is also sharply on the increase. The vast majority of COPD cases could be prevented or delayed if more action was taken to address the known risk factors - tobacco use, air pollution, dampness and health inequalities. In 2007, I launched a declaration in the European Parliament calling for widespread recognition and funding to tackle COPD. |
The SNP are insulting the people of Scotland. How can it possibly be 'contrary to public interest' to release what legal advice the Scottish Government have sought regarding an independent Scotland’s entry to the EU? In May of this year I wrote to the Scottish Government to seek clarification on the matter, only to be told that there was no need for the information to be published. The case has now been allocated to the Scottish Information Commissioner for review. I recently received a letter from Fiona Hyslop MSP - Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs. During a Parliamentary Debate in September of this year, Ms Hyslop confidently stated that Scotland would join the EU and then contradicted this later on in the Chamber by suggesting that we may be a member of EFTA instead. I subsequently wrote to Ms Hyslop, only to receive the following response
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Catherine, David and son Alex are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their new little boy, Andrew John Stihler, weighing in at 6lbs 14oz. He was born at 7.53pm on 1 November 2011. Both mother and baby are doing well. Thanks to all the staff at Forth Park Hospital, Kirkcaldy and everyone for their kind wishes. |
On 13th October I organised a meeting between the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, who is from Poland, and Dumfriesshire author Aileen Orr, who wrote 'Wojtek the Bear, Polish War Hero'. Wojtek the Soldier Bear was found as a cub in Northern Iran during World War II by the Poles released from the Russian Gulags as they tried to join the Polish Army, which was in Egypt. He played a significant part in the Italian campaign. Aileen's grandfather was a regular soldier with the KOSB and met the men with the bear in Palestine. On return to Scotland, Wojtek spent 18 months of his life roaming free on Sunwick farm in Berwickshire, where Aileen now lives. The bear was much loved in this local community. He retired from duty to Edinburgh Zoo in 1947. Mrs Stihler stated: “It is important that we keep alive the memory of Wojtek, who was a war hero in his own right. Not only did he carry the shells for the soldiers and allegedly capture a spy in one of their camps, he also provided close companionship, entertainment, morale and laughter. The legend of Wojtek celebrates the rich historical links between Scotland and Poland. I was delighted to help facilitate the meeting between President Buzek and Aileen Orr, who has written a fascinating book documenting the wonderful bear’s life”. |
The European Commission have announced proposals (28 September 2011) for a new European Financial Transaction Tax - a measure that Labour MEPs have long backed. A small tax on financial transactions could raise billions for important areas such as health and climate change. The Commission's backing is a first, crucial step. It is imperative that the British government listen and engage in the process - now is not the time to dismiss the idea just to please the City. We must look at the proposals and every detail of them in order to find a way in which the financial sector can pay its fair share in taxation. The government must listen to the campaigners' and voices of the hard working majority who are calling for fairness. More information on the Robin Hood Tax can be read here.
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THE FIGHT TO SAVE HOME BIRTH SERVICES
NHS Fife recently proposed withdrawing the home birth service. I am strongly against such a cut and will fight to save the service. NHS Fife are currently not pursuing this plan of action because it goes against national policy. At a recent meeting, held at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, members of the Operational and Divisional Committee, agreed to contact the Scottish Government to review the current legislation. Mothers' and their birthing partners should have the right to chose the place and method of birth. If the proposals to cut the home birth service go ahead, then this would be a shocking example of placing women at the forefront of cuts. I have contacted the Scottish Government urging them to not reverse national policy.
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MORE ACTION TO TACKLE VIOLENCE AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN The EU currently lacks a comprehensive strategy on ending gender based violence. In partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the European Women's Lobby, representatives of the 11th International Women's Health Meeting and some fellow MEPs, I hosted a roundtable event on the issue of violence against women and girls in the European Parliament (22 September 2011). We need greater action and investment to allow girls to meet their potential. More information on the call for action and the event can be read here.
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Dr Catriona Burness, a writer and consultant on politics, has produced an excellent handbook which charts the representation of women in Parliaments across the UK. Labour are the party of fairness and strive to ensure equality for women. However, getting more women into Scottish politics, at all levels, will be a significant challenge and all parties will need to take positive action. There is a striking low number of women in the SNP group - only 19 out of 69 are female. I highly recommend Dr Burness's handbook. |
On Tuesday 30th August 2011 the 'Labour Movement for Europe in Scotland' hosted a successful event entitled: "Europe in Crisis: Is there a Labour response". They keynote speaker was Barnoss Helen Liddell of Coatdyke, former Secretary of State for Scotland. Barnoss Liddell gave a powerful and insightful speech on restoring economic responsibility and highlighting the fact the British government are steadfastly diminising our interests in Europe.
A full copy of the speech can be read here |
REPORTING EUROPE IN THE AGE OF NEW MEDIA On Friday 25 August I chaired a panel of journalists and new media contributors at the 'Reporting Europe' event - part of the lively Festival of Politics 2011 There is a real taste for new social media and with the advancement of new technologies, it is becoming an increasingly popular tool for resporting news. Interestingly much of the coverage of European affairs is available through online media postings and blogs, whilst national politics is often reported through more traditional means - i.e papers, radio. It was great to see a packed room and be part of such a lively discussion. I highly recommend the Festival to all.
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SNP IN EU MEMBERSHIP COVER UP On 30 May of this year I wrote to the Scottish Government, under Freedom of Information laws, requesting information on what legal advice they had received regarding an independent Scotland's entry to the EU. Despite uncertainly over an independent Scotland's position in Europe, Salmond has long told us that Scotland would be a full and active member. We need facts, not assumptions. Before any referendum on Scottish independence can be held the people of Scotland need to know the full legal and constitutional facts before making an informed decision. I was refused this information on the grounds that it is "contrary to public interest". Labour are calling for the SNP to come clean and put the facts on the table. The Daily Record ran the story on 17 August 2011.
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Catherine Stihler and David Martin were delighted to meet with the delegation of ED's Cycle Co-Op, who travelled all the way from Bishopbriggs. Bike Co-Op's are great initiatives, encouraging active travel and healthy exercise. The enthusiasm of the young cycle activists was inspiring. |
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An increasing number of consumers are starting to use smart phones abroad, yet are being ripped off by extortionate fees. It is a positive step that the Commission has set the ball rolling for further cuts in prices. |
CATHERINE STIHLER CALLS FOR MORE ACTION ON UNFAIR CREDIT CARD FEES CATHERINE'S WEEKLY ROUND UP IS ALSO AVAILABLE - FOCUSING ON CONSUMER NEWS |
On Sunday 26th June 2011 I took part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life in Kirkcaldy, Fife a long with my researcher Sonia Campbell. Every penny raised goes toward tackling cancer - a disease that affects all of us. I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me and to congratulate all of the organisers and participants who took part. Above I am pictured with Andrew Nortcliffe and Daniel Smith, Medicinal Chemistry PhD students at the University of St Andrews. Both Andrew and Daniel are sponsored by Cancer Research. Best wishes, Catherine
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LATEST CONSUMER RIGHTS NEWS: EXTORTIONATE CREDIT CARD SURCHARGES TO BE BANNED UNDER NEW EU RULES
SCOTCH WHISKY WINS VITAL LEGAL PROTECTION
Catherine Stihler MEP added: "Consumer rights remain at the heart of European policies. One of the key aims of the EU is to protect the safety and economic well being of all European citizens. Scots benefit greatly from EU membership; we have protected airline consumers, enforced strict safety standards in hotels and have put a stop to exortionate mobile phone charges within the EU". More information on EU consumer policy can be found here.
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Catherine's latest edition of her Trade Union Matters Newsletter is available online. For a hard copy please call the office
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Scottish Labour MEPs CATHERINE STIHLER AND DAVID MARTIN have put their full support behind the Robin Hood Tax Campaign A small tax on banks has the potential to raise billions to tackle poverty, climate change and to help us recover from the economic crisis. Have you signed up?
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Labour in Europe have a proud record of fighting for women’s rights. Labour are the party of equality and continue to lead the way to ensure that women get a fair deal in the workplace. We have more than doubled maternity pay and as a result millions of women have the right to request more flexible working hours, whilst not comprising their work-life balance. This picture was taken in March to mark International Women’s Day (8 March 2011) |
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