John Walker, FSB Policy Chairman says

"The central theme of the FSB manifesto relates to a commitment made in Lisbon in 2000 to make the EU area the most competitive and dynamic place in which to do business within ten years.

The FSB predicts that these admirable objectives will not be met unless EU Institutions make substantial changes in their policies for small firms before it is too late for the 2010 deadline, particularly with reducing the regulatory burdens. Therefore, we call upon on all the newly elected MEPs  to take our message with them to Brussels and speak loudly for our sector in the European Parliament"

Background Reading

Full Text of EU Summit Presidency Conclusions
Feira, Portugal, June 2000.

Extract from Presidency Conclusions - Small Business Charter.

FSB Euro Elections Press Release

Speech by John Walker, FSB Policy Chairman,
South East Manifesto Launch

Manifesto available in
the following languages

English
French
German
Greek
Hungarian
Italian
Polish
Portuguese
Slovakian
Spanish
Swedish
Dutch

Key Manifesto Points

• A strong and vigorous European Parliament to keep regulations in check
• The use of sunset and review clauses in new legislation so that the legislation can be automatically repealed if it becomes irrelevant or outdated,
• Greater small business representation in the social dialogue process – at present the consultation process on employment and social laws is dominated by trade unions and big business with the voice of small businesses often going unheard,
• Further use of Extended Impact Assessments,
• Extension to small firms of the protection available to individuals under the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive – this would help combat the onerous trading conditions often imposed on small firms by larger businesses,
• Better access for small businesses to Government contracts.
  

News Items

Brian Prime, President of the European Small Business Alliance, addresses the Alliance's Brussels event on the 17th June 2004, calls for the establishment of a Legislative Audit Commission to keep a check on red tape.  Read the speech here  

European Small Business Alliance AGM, 19th June 2004 agrees membership applications to join ESBA from seven small business organisations;  from  Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,  Malta, Sweden and a pan EU real estate association.

Brian Prime, FSB International Affairs Chairman is re-elected as ESBA President on the 19th June at the ESBA Board meeting.

Click here for link to ESBA