South Central Region Liberal Democrats

A pledge from all EU member states to enforce a ban on battery hens has been welcomed by South East MEP Catherine Bearder.

Cramped cages were supposed to be banned from January, but the European Commission looked set to let some member states off the hook.

And UK egg producers who had spent around £400m on larger bird cages were angered some EU countries were set to flout the ban.

The loss of biodiversity is happening right under our noses… and too many people choose not to listen, said Catherine Bearder MEP.

It came as Catherine joined the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, which is the hub for animal welfare in the European Parliament.

The group has successfully lobbied for an EU ban on the import of seal products and spearheaded a call to outlaw cloning of animals in the food chain.

"The European Parliament has voted through an ambitious and innovative text today. On the key concern of maximum versus minimum harmonisation there is sufficient flexibility within an EU framework. This will allow countries with a very large debt to GDP ratio to take the necessary action to protect themselves.

Bikers are gearing up for a battle with European law makers over proposals which could impact on the extent motorbikes are modified.

The EU has said the proposed Type Approval and Market Surveillance Regulation is aimed at improving motorbike safety.

But the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), which has 50,000 UK members, claims it is unnecessary and is worried about the effect on the industry.

Making a call or sending a text while on holiday or business in a European Union (EU) country is set to become cheaper this summer.

EPs are expected to vote on Thursday (May 10) for a cut in the price companies can bill customers for calls and texts, while also rubberstamping a maximum fee for data usage.

Last year large multinational companies operating in the developing world avoided paying taxes of approximately $165 billion to host governments.

Sharon Bowles MEP, who represents South East England in the European Parliament, has launched a new campaign - 'Own, Up, Pay Up!' - to shed light on the issue and to prevent future financial malpractice among EU multinationals.

A decision to roll out a 'Letter of Rights' for anyone arrested in the European Union has been welcomed by Catherine Bearder MEP.

EU Justice ministers have adopted the law following a European Commission bid to ensure defendants' right to information during criminal proceedings.

It means anyone arrested in an EU country will be entitled to a letter explaining their rights in a language they understand.

My 'Don't Rubbish Our Recycling' campaign is starting to gain some real momentum.

It is all about lifting the lid on household waste.

Hopefully, it will be something you can use in local campaigns, maybe debunk some myths about what happens to junk in your area, or even expose glitches in the recycling system.

Slavery will be wiped out at cocoa farms used by Ferrero within the next eight years, the chocolate maker has pledged.

Catherine Bearder, an MEP for the South East, welcomed the confectionary giant's stand, which follows anti-slavery moves by Nestle and Hershey.

The Italian firm, which produces Ferrero Rocher, Nutella spread and Kinder eggs, said it will eradicate child and forced labour on plantations by 2020.