Manon Flausch
RAPEX, the safety guarantee for European products
The rapid alert system removed more than 2,000 dangerous products from the European market in 2018. However, much remains to be done about security, notably with regards to China. EURACTIV France reports.
Digital innovation also creates new risks for farmers
Although the European Commission and machine manufacturers sing the praises of digitalisation in agriculture, others point to the risk of creating new dependencies for farmers on multinationals. EURACTIV France reports.
Citizens’ expectations for Europe focus on climate and social issues
The common expectations of Europeans are actually far from the divisions fuelled by politicians. This was highlighted by the WeEuropeans initiative, which managed to mobilise 2 million people and generate 30,000 proposals. EURACTIV France reports.
Coca-Cola’s EU Council sponsorship raises eyebrows
NGO Foodwatch has taken exception to Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council. Bucarest says everything has been done transparently and in line with legal criteria. EURACTIV France reports.
Meetings between MEPs and lobbyists to be made public
A revision of the European Parliament’s rules of procedure, which was adopted on 31 January, increases transparency obligations for meetings between elected officials and lobbies, despite the EPP’s attempts to scupper the amendment. EURACTIV France reports.
The EU finally provides legal framework for organic and recycled fertilisers
The Commission, Council and Parliament have agreed to facilitate the use of organic fertilisers, for which there has been no regulatory framework so far. Fertilisers will also have to contain less heavy metal in the future.
Livestock farmers cry wolf, call on EU to act
Livestock farmers and MEPs met in Brussels this week to demand a change in the EU's policy on the protection of wolves. Farmers are angered by the European Commission’s position, which they say favours wolves over livestock. EURACTIV.fr reports
En Marche aiming to take out the EPP
Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the liberal ALDE group and Belgium's former prime minister, took part in the launch of the Grand March for Europe in Brussels, whose aim is to listen to citizens but also to challenge traditional European political groups. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Commission: Selmayr was ‘obvious choice’
The European Commission has this week published 84 pages of replies to MEPs’ questions about Martin Selmayr’s controversial promotion to the top civil servant post in the Commission. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Europe En Marche says “not compatible” with Italian 5 Star Movement
The Italian press reported that France's Europe En Marche was reaching out to the 5 Star Movement. This was then clearly refuted by En Marche.
More funds for G5 Sahel after Brussels conference
The funds mobilised in support of the armed forces of the countries in the Sahel region amount to €414 million following the summit in Brussels. However the issue of securing funding on a long-term basis has not been solved.
EU urged to do more to protect forests
Forest nations are calling on the EU to strengthen the control of supply chains for products causing deforestation such as palm oil or cocoa. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Citizens rally to host migrants, in defiance of Belgian government
Human rights activists and some political parties in Belgium are calling for the resignation of Theo Francken, the secretary of state for immigration, citing his aggressive and hostile stance towards migrants from Africa and the Middle East.
EU’s tax haven list leaves out member states and British territories
After intense negotiations, EU member states point their finger at 17 tax havens in a somewhat succinct blacklist that disappointed officials, MEPs and transparency activists. EURACTIV France reports.
NGOs decry France’s shortcomings in education aid
Around 264 million children worldwide don’t go to school. The Education Coalition in France denounces the country's lack of education focus on development aid programs. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron’s aid promises deemed insufficient
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a “considerable effort” to increase the budget dedicated to development aid from now until 2022. But surprisingly, the budget for 2018 will remain unchanged. And the focus on security enrages NGOs. EURACTIV France reports.
Lead MEP: Macron’s campaign on posted workers could deepen east-west divide
The centre-right French MEP in charge of guiding the controversial posting of workers directive through the European Parliament has lashed out at Emmanuel Macron after he promised to strike a compromise on the legislation by the end of this year.
EU recognises bisphenol A as an endocrine disruptor
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified bisphenol A, a chemical found in many common plastic products, as an endocrine disruptor and a ‘substance of very high concern’. EURACTIV France reports.
Conflicts of interest erode trust in food safety agency
Close to half of the experts at the European Food Security Agency have conflicts of interest that call into question the validity of the agency’s work, according to a new study by Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO). EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs go to court in bid to reform EFSA
Green MEPs have lodged a complaint to denounce the lack of transparency in EFSA’s assessment of glyphosate. They hope to change the internal rules of the agency to boost transparency and limit lobby influence.
Scientific basis for glyphosate authorisation under renewed attack
Leading toxicologist and environmental engineer Christopher Portier has written to the European Commission denouncing the poor scientific quality of the EU’s research into glyphosate. EURACTIV France reports.
Climate change exacerbates threat of terrorism
From South America to the Middle East, the effects of climate change appear to exacerbate the problems of organised crime and terrorism. The UN and German think tank Adelphi have raised the alarm. EURACTIV France reports.
Hamon’s European programme strikes a chord in Brussels
France’s Socialist presidential candidate made the pilgrimage to Brussels on Tuesday (21 March) to try and drum up support for his EU programme. But the Commission remains unconvinced by Benoît Hamon’s plans to democratise eurozone governance. EURACTIV France reports.