Speeches

Breaks and rest periods in the road passenger transport sector, including in the tourism sector, are key to ensuring road safety and the right to rest of passenger transport workers. The European Commission’s proposal to extend the derogation allowing drivers to organise their itinerary in such a way as to reduce nights spent away from home, and thus to rest, to drivers travelling on tourist routes within the same Member State, ensures a level playing field, as this is already a reality in international passenger transport on sightseeing tours. The derogation puts an end to the discrimination that exists between drivers providing services on a national tour circuit and drivers providing services on the international circuit. The application of the derogation is crucial to ensure that all workers are treated with the same fairness and equality, without relying on the crossing of a border to gain the full right to rest.

Mr President, this mandate of the European Parliament, which is now coming to an end, has been marked by multiple crises, the largest of which is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has ended up changing our lives forever. The European Union responded to challenges and also responded to Europeans calling for more action in Europe, in health. This is how the European Union for Health was born. A dream, a project, a reality still under construction. And the European Health Data Space will be a new and revolutionary fundamental pillar of this construction. This regulation will allow a Madeiran who travels to the continent or even to another country of the European Union and who needs to resort to health services greater accessibility to health care. Doctors will have their health record on time, without delays, without having to ask for repeated exams in their own language. This is estimated to save about 20% of healthcare spending. We have worked here to ensure that no European, living in Madeira, on the mainland or in any other Member State, is left behind and, on the part of Parliament, I am proud to say: mission accomplished.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the invention of plastic has revolutionised our lives, but it has also brought with it an environmental curse and a threat to human health. Microplastics are present in all ecosystems today. They're in the sea, they're in the air, they're in the animals, they're in the vegetables. We find them at every stage of the food chain and they cause hormonal, immunological or even oncological consequences, just to list a few. The Commission's proposal is a step in the right direction, but it is late and lacks the ambition to really solve this problem. And here I welcome the amendments proposed by my colleague, João Albuquerque, on behalf of this Parliament, which go further. The challenge was great, but they succeeded. With this report we go further in preventing and mitigating the risks of microplastics to human health, to environmental health, to animal health. History will judge what we have done or failed to do to protect our planet. We will ensure that the response to the challenge is determined, courageous and committed to a sustainable future.

Madam President, pharmacies with empty shelves, citizens without access to the medication essential for their treatment, for their survival... This is a reality that we do not accept in this European Union! That is why we will pass the pharmaceutical legislation that highlights the best we have in the European project: European solidarity and unity in times of adversity. With this package, the European Civil Protection Mechanism could be triggered to distribute essential medicines in Member States where there is a stock shortage. The pharmaceutical sector will now also have an obligation to report shortages and authorities to monitor them in real time. This pharmaceutical package that we are going to approve tomorrow will be the great guarantor of accessibility to medicines and living proof of the importance that the European project has in our lives.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, France has recently taken a courageous step in including the right to abortion in its Constitution. In Portugal we live for 48 years under the dictatorship and this Sunday, that was exactly the number of deputies that the far-right elected to the Assembly of the Republic. The same extreme-right that is against the right to abortion, along with those who are talking about new referendums on rights already guaranteed. But the more our freedoms are threatened, the louder we will say: They won't pass. And that is why the struggles of the past are also the struggles of the present. The struggles of those who died, who were arrested, have history and we are called to be part of that history, because a people that does not recognize its legacy is condemned to repeat the mistakes of its past. The European Union must reinforce the values that define it and reinvent itself, because including the right to abortion in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union means access to health care if women so decide. It means guaranteeing women's right to health.

Madam President, in the European Union we pride ourselves on having the highest quality standards in our products, and toys are no exception. The truth is that every day, children are exposed to their chemicals and some are potentially harmful. The proposal for a regulation on the safety of toys that we are voting on this week is an essential step towards ensuring that children are protected. As the author of the committee's opinion with competence in public health, we have banned a wide range of chemicals that cause cognitive, neurological, immunological and carcinogenic problems. We need to find safer alternatives and therefore all authorised exceptions must be limited in time until they are replaced. In the European Union, we protect consumers – everyone from young to old – and in this case we reaffirm our commitment to lead by example. We guarantee more safety and reduce the danger of toys for all children.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, in any hospital throughout the European Union, patients enter the emergency room in emerging, critical situations. And among doctors, nurses, technicians and auxiliaries, everyone is ready to help. And from surgical gowns, catheters, needles, ventilators and scalpels, all the equipment is little. And the concern is only one, to save that person's life. And at that moment, the gown can't tear, the needle can't break, and the fan can't stop working. The safety of the equipment must be guaranteed and all this equipment of the emergency room, the operating room, consultations and other medical spaces are covered by European Union regulations that guarantee the protection and care of people. But at the moment, Member States need more time to properly implement this regulation. And here a balance is needed between maintaining quality standards and, at the same time, not compromising the production of these medical equipment. And here in the European Union, we pride ourselves on being able to say 'people's safety will always come first'. This is our plan and Europeans know that they can count on us.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, if the five richest men in the world, just the five, spent $1 million every day, it would take about 500 years to go bankrupt. Is this accumulation of wealth morally indefensible or not? Every day, in every sector, we suffer the consequences of this inequity. As the cost of living rises, we also have increasingly poor living conditions, increasingly expensive food, and declining quality of life and mental health. But in OECD countries, corporate tax revenues have halved over the past 40 years. And why? Because big companies find loopholes in the law and it is our duty, as co-legislators, to tackle inequalities and eliminate these same loopholes and tax super-wealths. And the question is: How long will we perpetuate this reality? It is time for us to use these excessive profits for the benefit of the whole of society and not just for the benefit of a few.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the study on cohesion policy in the outermost regions reinforces the status conferred by Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. And looking at their geographical characteristics, socio-economic profile, demographic dynamics and development paths, it is clear that vulnerabilities and disparities persist vis-à-vis the rest of the European Union. And extending the application of this article is essential to adapt existing policies, responding adequately to the realities of the outermost regions, boost competitiveness, stimulate transformative investments and invest in research and innovation, either through, for example, the implementation of pilot projects, but also to improve territorial cohesion, which still has serious shortcomings and which should be done through the introduction of a specific programme for transport, such as POSEI. These are key steps towards a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future for our outermost regions.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, very few territories can say that they are not yet suffering any consequences from climate change. The reports produced by the IPCC are not encouraging. Global warming will intensify sea level rise, increase the frequency of extreme weather events, among many effects on human health and, fearfully, also losses in agricultural production. Decreasing global temperature by one and a half degrees is still a possible goal, but it is also a goal that becomes increasingly distant. A set of measures with concrete actions is needed to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. This requires urgent changes in the transport sector, more efficient buildings and more investment in clean energy. And to the right, listen to the scientists. And if that doesn't suit you, populism, then listen to the young people.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, this disaster bears a bad memory of the tragic accident on the Prestige 20 years ago. Once again, human sloppy action causes an environmental crisis in these territories, and this disaster will have serious consequences and not only for the affected communities. And, contrary to what Mrs Pereira says, this is not a regional problem. This is a European matter. As rapporteur-shadow for the revision of the Directive laying down the rules for ship-source pollution, I advocate stronger sanctions for polluters and tighter enforcement, and the competent authorities should provide for an environmental impact assessment of these disasters and the implementation of preventive measures to prevent future environmental disasters. A final word of solidarity for Galicia and our Galician brothers and sisters and for those who tirelessly work to mitigate the consequences of this catastrophe.

Mr President, Commissioner, Council, ladies and gentlemen, how much does the climate emergency cost? It costs five million lives a year, and it's these frightening numbers that move us. Here, I congratulate the focus of this COP for finally having a day dedicated to health and its effects on climate change. The final COP agreement reinforces this by stressing the need to improve the resilience of health systems and reduce the health impact of the climate emergency, particularly on the most vulnerable communities. But committing to the global energy transition away from fossil fuels is a first step in the right direction, but it's not enough. We have to be clearer. There is an urgent need to phase out fossil fuels, because only then will we be able to achieve the 1.5 degree Celsius target. And we're already very late, let's say. In the European Union, we need to lead by example, with ambitious goals and targets in all sectors, but also ensuring that we leave no one behind, because only then will we ensure a healthy and sustainable future for all.

Honourable Member, my question is very simple, is whether you have actually read this proposal, because what we are talking about in this regulation is the most sensitive data of each person. And my question is: Have you read the proposal? Because, in the European Parliament's proposal, we have consent, we also have opt out for secondary data – which goes beyond what the Commission asks us to do – and we have opt in for data that cannot be anonymised. So my question is: Why are you misinforming people?

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, let us talk about a Portuguese emigrant in France who was diagnosed with a throat tumor that was being monitored. One day, while on holiday with his family in Portugal, when he experienced difficulty in swallowing, he went to health care and this is where this regulation comes into play. The European Health Data Space will ensure that electronic health records are interoperable and will accompany users wherever they are. Upon arriving at the hospital in Portugal, health professionals will have immediate access to their electronic health record and access invaluable information that allows the medical team to make a timely decision, increase the chances of survival and the quality of life of this citizen, while avoiding duplication or even tripling of resources. In addition, your data will contribute to science, innovation and the development of new therapies in the European Union. Naturally, throughout the process, privacy and data security are insurmountable priorities and our proposal ensures that the citizen is in full control of them. Ladies and gentlemen, this story shows how the European Union can and must make a difference. By adopting this proposal, we are creating more effective health systems and higher quality care, while always preserving the privacy, control and security of the most sensitive information we know. This is a major step towards a European Union for Health, where collaboration transcends borders, innovation is driven and where every European can believe in universal access to healthcare.

Madam President, non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the European Union. They account for 80% of deaths in the European Union and, although we very much want a true European Union for health, we did not have time for debate on this report. With this report, the European Parliament also had the opportunity to act on the reduction of known risk factors for non-communicable diseases, outlining actions that it should take into account, notably in the consumption of tobacco and new tobacco and nicotine products, alcohol consumption, among many others. If we want a true European Union for health, we must move from disease policies to health policies. This means investing more at the root of the problems. As the European Parliament, we must lead by example and act on disease prevention and health promotion. This is done through evidence-based health policies to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for Europeans.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we are few, but the few are good. The prevalence of mental health problems has reached unprecedented levels. Between 2022 and 2023, one in two people in the European Union suffers from depression and anxiety, and young people, who are our present and our future, have been particularly disadvantaged. Almost half of young people in the European Union say they do not have the mental health care they need, and the picture is even darker if we reflect that suicide is the second cause of death in this age group and the first cause of death in young adults over the age of 25. More than talking, we need action on mental health and the European Parliament is therefore drawing up its first report on mental health, on this very important issue. With it we want to boost the initiatives that the Union can take to respond to this crisis, which already accounts for almost 4% of all deaths in the European Union and whose spending exceeds more than 4% of European GDP. In this report, we want to make it clear that anyone, at any stage of their life, can find themselves in a more vulnerable situation. This report also serves to identify the social determinants of health and the most vulnerable groups and situations and to propose concrete actions to mitigate them. It is important to recognize difficult situations experienced by different groups, whether they are young people, women, migrants, the LGBTQIA+ community, workers, marginalized, or even those who find themselves in more than one of these groups experiencing a set of additional challenges that require increased effort. And to recognize that, with mental health in all policies, we have been able to propose intersectional measures, from social services to health services, education, work, through all sectors of society. But this cannot and should not be an individual battle. It is a social battle that cannot be ignored. In workplaces, for example, where we spend a significant part of our lives, about 27% of people suffer from symptoms of stress, depression or anxiety. There is an urgent need for social transformation. As representatives of the approximately 450 million European citizens, we have a duty not only to warn, but to act. And we need more. There are three measures that I consider fundamental in this report to have more mental health in the European Union and they are: the creation of a European strategy with well-defined targets, well-defined objectives, guiding indicators; more direct funding for a specific mission for mental health; and for the theme of the next European year to be the European Year of Mental Health. It's time to destigmatize. It's time to prioritize. It's time to invest in mental health. And a final word of appreciation to all the negotiating teams, to the teams of the shadow rapporteurs, to the secretariat and also to Cátia, Catarina and Vasco.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the consumption of Europeans is constantly growing and, with it, the production of packaging is increasing. On average half a kilo of waste is generated per person per day in the European Union. Such packaging is often bulky and unsustainable and has had a serious impact on our environment. It is therefore necessary to find solutions that are innovative and reusable, that minimise the environmental impact of our consumer habits, such as creating a recovery framework for reused packaging, and also invest in materials that are alternative, but also more sustainable than the use of plastic, because only with the collaboration of everyone, consumers, industry, Member States and their representatives, will we achieve a real paradigm shift. By reducing the use of packaging, especially plastic packaging, we are contributing to a more sustainable environment, to a healthier environment.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the increase in carbon dioxide emissions is a threat to our environment, it is a threat to the good quality of the air we breathe, it is a threat to our health. And heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for more than a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions from the road transport sector in the European Union. This review is therefore essential to have innovative solutions that reduce threats in the heavy-duty vehicle sector to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable future for Europeans. At the beginning of 2023 we were progressive, we adopted the regulation which states that, from 2035, all new cars in the European Union will be sold at zero emissions, and during this plenary session also the progressive majority in this House was able to make history by adopting the regulation which provides for a 90% reduction in emissions by 2040 for heavy-duty vehicles. Because the goal is ambitious, but we will not overcome the climate emergency without ambition.

Madam President, the outermost regions face particular challenges because of their geographical location, because they are far from the European continent. However, these challenges should not be insurmountable obstacles, but opportunities to overcome and grow. There is therefore an urgent need for a specific transport POSEI to improve the mobility of these regions, facilitate access to European markets and ensure full socio-economic cohesion in the European Union. Because POSEI is much more than a financial support programme, it is a catalyst for progress, cohesion and the strengthening of the outermost regions, and the future of these regions depends on our action and our unwavering commitment to the outermost regions.

Mr President, 70% of transport emissions come from our roads. At the beginning of 2023, as shadow rapporteur, I supported the proposal to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere from light-duty vehicles from 2035. And today, I would like to be here supporting a more ambitious Euro 7 proposal, because air pollution is a problem that cannot be ignored by the serious consequences for the well-being, health and quality of life of Europeans. And unlike the right-wing discourse, the benefits of Euro 7 were evident. The benefits of the Commission proposal: for every euro invested there would be a return of €5 in health care, in environmental protection. The right-wing approach to this report is detrimental to our ability to face current challenges, both environmental and public health, and the fight against air pollution, for the protection of the environment and for the health and well-being of those we represent is an action that requires commitment and requires, above all, courage.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the Commission welcomes the revision of this important waste water directive. I highlight the polluter pays principle in this review, as it is not fair for taxpayers to pay for the costs of pollution mostly caused by industries, the recognition of the One Health approach and alignment with the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. But, ladies and gentlemen, I am making this speech in order to warn of the introduction of a specific derogation for the outermost regions. This derogation respects Article 349 of the Treaty (TFEU) and the constraints that these regions, such as Madeira, face in their orography. I would point out that this derogation is supported by scientific evidence and does not remove environmental liability. I call here for your support and vote in favour of Amendment 266 tabled by the EPP, which considers the specificities of our outermost regions that add so much to the European project.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, in the European Union, nine out of ten deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases. Millions of European citizens depend on essential medicines. And if we do not want to overburden health systems that are already under stress, we need to ensure a European strategy that guarantees access to these medicines in the short, medium and long term. With the pandemic, we learned that joint purchasing is a powerful tool and can be implemented immediately for essential medicines that are in short supply. In the medium term, we must reduce our external dependence for the production of these medicines, as the European Union has both the scientific and technological capacity to produce them. And finally, the importance of diversifying production sites across EU countries and ensuring stronger and more resilient supply chains in the long term. I therefore welcome the Commission's proposal for a mechanism for identifying tipping points and establishing appropriate response mechanisms. Pharmaceutical regulation is welcome and the negotiations should take care of these proposals for a true European Union for Health.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the statistics already mentioned here in Europe are too frightening and should make everyone here in this Parliament reflect. That's 300,000 premature deaths a year. There are 10%, 10% of cancer cases in the European Union. A pollution-free atmosphere is essential. And it is essential not only for health, but also for the protection of biodiversity and the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. It is also a quality of life for Europeans, who are increasingly concerned about the air they breathe. I therefore welcome the objectives of this directive and the rapporteur for his work, which contributes to the goal of zero pollution by 2050 and sets limit values for air pollutants, but, above all, restores the right of citizens to breathe clean air. As co-legislators of the European Union, it is our responsibility to listen to science, protect the health of Europeans, and ensure the preservation of the environment for current as well as future generations.

Mr President, Commissioner, Council, colleagues, this is probably the coldest summer of the rest of our lives and the most frequent extreme weather events are the reality. If we want to protect people and the nature of climate change, we need a multifaceted approach that makes the European Union more resilient to the effects of climate change because natural disasters affect everyone's health, either through the rise of communicable diseases or through their impact on mental illness. And as rapporteur for the European Civil Protection Mechanism, I also look forward to the Commission's evaluation of this mechanism by the end of the year. And the missions that the Commission should present should include greater preparedness and more effective responses in minimizing health risks in disaster situations and long-term management of the health impacts of affected populations. Extreme heat waves, floods, forest fires are already part of our daily lives and we need timely responses to protect us all.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, before this speech, I was asked: what else is there to talk about COVID-19? Nowadays, it is often said that it is a thing of the past and nobody wants to know about it anymore. But is it possible to ignore all the impact that the pandemic has had on our lives? Do we really want that from our institutions? Parliament's answer is no and this report is the result of an extensive audit which lasted more than a year and a half and which talks about the difficulties experienced, the redundancies, the bankruptcies and the lack of materials and infrastructure. Speak of the burnout health professionals, abusive working hours, lack of technological means for home education. He talks about disinformation, discrimination, hatred and polarisation in our society. But it does so from a constructive perspective, recognising where we have gone further and where we have fallen short. Whatever crisis we face in the future - whether health, environmental, war or humanitarian - we have a set of recommendations from the European Parliament to overcome it. And this is the importance of a united Europe, a European project that can help: we have vaccines, we have recovery and resilience projects, we have health systems that have not collapsed, we have instruments capable of overcoming the difficulties that, I recall, were not fully known at the time. And we will not give in to populism, which wants to vote against this report; We will not give in to the deniers of the pandemic, who preferred disorganization and lack of means. This report is not only about COVID-19, it is also about the health of European democracies, so you can count on the Socialists and Democrats in this House to approve this report.