Conservative Euro MPs fail to back measures to end child hunger

Following a key vote in the European Parliament yesterday, Local Labour Euro MP Arlene McCarthy condemned Conservative colleagues for failing to back amendments which would have helped put an end to abusive speculation in commodity markets.

Arlene said: "I am disappointed that the Parliament including British Conservative MEPs did not back amendments to close loopholes in the law and toughen up position limits on excessive speculation on commodities.”

“A paper has been running a child poverty campaign which has highlighted how above inflation increases in food prices, caused by this type of market speculation are impacting on the lives of children living below the poverty line.”

Arlene has also been working with local campaigners from Oxfam and the World Development Movement to highlight the impact this type of speculation has in the developing world added: “It is wrong that we have a situation where food aid is paid to bankers and traders while the world's poorest are trapped in hunger and poverty. Today’s vote could have ended this.

“This vote is a blow to our campaign but we will continue to work with the World Development Movement and other NGOs to try and get Member States in their negotiations to close the loopholes in the text.”