NEWS RELEASE
From the office of the Green MEPs

8 May, 2003

PUBLIC WILL SHUN 'VALUELESS' EU, WARNS MEP

PUBLIC support for the EU will collapse if its proposed new constitution omits key values on social equality and environmental protection, London Green MEP Jean Lambert has warned.

In a letter to Environment Secretary Margaret Becket, Mrs Lambert said the draft constitution was focused on 'presidents and institutions'.

"Many of our citizens feel confused about the EU and unsure of its value," she said. "Environmental legislation and its implementation is one key area where people can see the direct impact of the EU and understand its benefits."

But where the original EU Treaty states one of the union's aims was "a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment", this objective has been omitted from the draft constitution.

"The draft currently on the table also lacks any commitment to social equality," Mrs Lambert added.

"I welcome the fact that, at long last, the media is addressing public concern with the proposed constitution.

"If the Government is going to be looking for the support of the British people in any future referendum it must ensure the proposed constitution tackles the issues they care about most."

ENDS
For more information please contact Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280 or 0776 997 0691

Read Special Report with EU Forest Watch issue 73: The European Convention and the environment
By Ioli Christopoulou of the WWF European Policy Office