Euro-MP fights for South West ports - Watson

12.00.00am GMT Tue 17th Jan 2006

Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg will today discuss the controversial proposed Directive on Marine Port Services. The Directive, designed to open up port services to competition, has been rejected on two previous occasions by Euro-MPs. Thousands of dock workers from across the European Union yesterday marched on the Parliament's Strasbourg seat, clashing with riot police, to voice their feelings.

Speaking from Strasbourg ahead of the vote tomorrow, South West England and Gibraltar Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson said:

"I believe this Directive will place an enormous regulatory burden upon small firms. I am naturally concerned for the firms operating out of my South West constituency, for example, in Falmouth, Avonmouth and Portland, and will use my vote accordingly".

Mr Watson, who leads the 106-strong Liberal and Democrat Group in the European Parliament, agreed feelings were running high across Europe.

"Whilst I can see the benefits in principle of liberalising Europe's maritime sector, this Directive fails to take account of the already privatised and competitive UK industry. Pursuing this legislation could result in huge job losses in European ports which are already among the most efficient in the world".