Thank you Chairman.

I would like to congratulate the rapporteur on his draft opinion. We hope that a compromise can be reached swiftly to send clear instructions to REGI regarding our key priority areas, such as digital and energy.

MEP for the East Midlands, Rupert Matthews, spent a day in South Kesteven last week (19 July) to meet local businesses, hear about their growth plans and find out what challenges and opportunities Brexit might pose for them.

I am sorry to hear the news that David Davis has resigned as Brexit Secretary. I know that he has the best interests of our country at heart and the decision he has made would have been very difficult one.

A new scheme has been launched to recognise excellence in the food and drinks industry in the East Midlands.

If you are interested in the new Copyright proposals, I appreciate your concerns regarding the new Copyright reform proposals.

A new organisation called the East Midlands War Memorials Association has been launched in the region to help care for local war memorials.

Rupert Matthews, who is one the Members of the European Parliament for the East Midlands has visited the Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery site in Lincoln. The visit came about after Rupert read an article about Siemens investing £35m on expanding their Lincoln base.

Rupert Matthews, who represents the East Midlands region in the European Parliament, visited the Grainstore Brewery in Rutland recently to meet with owner and director, Peter Atkinson.

Earlier this month Rupert Matthews MEP met with Chris Clayton who is Managing Director of crop protection firm, Agrovista UK.

Rupert Matthews, who represents the East Midlands region in the European Parliament, visited the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre recently to see the new exhibitions.