Nicole Sagener

Elections: What should German EU policy look like?
The outcome of the German elections will also shape the future of the EU. What do German associations, unions and civil society organisations demand from the future government with regards to EU financial, social and trade policies? EURACTIV Germany reports.
India’s drug factories provide breeding ground for deadly viruses
Many antibiotics sold in Germany are produced in India under alarming conditions. These are contributing to the development of dangerous pathogens that are resistant to many medicines. EURACTIV Germany reports.
MEPs: Industry ‘self-regulation’ failed to prevent deforestation
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Tuesday (4 April) calling the Commission to phase-out the use of biofuels based on vegetable oils by 2020, and establish a single certification scheme to guarantee only sustainably produced palm oil enters the EU market.
Europol seeks more African cooperation in fight against people smugglers
No other illegal business is more lucrative: half a million people traffickers appear in Europol's database and the number is only rising. Police are now counting on Africa to help. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Refugee deal continues to preoccupy Germany
Angela Merkel harshly criticised Turkey’s “misplaced Nazi comparisons” ahead of yesterday’s EU summit (9 March) but still insisted the refugee deal is important and must stay in place. Criticism is growing in both the German and European parliaments though. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Africa’s dwindling online freedom
Africa is using the internet more and more but many governments are employing web blackouts to manipulate voters and silence critics. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Education: Europe’s problem child
Many EU member states are too slow to implement socio-political reforms in crucial sectors like education, according to a new study. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Vice-versa: Racial profiling in Germany
Germany and the EU: How do they cooperate? Where do their approaches conflict and where are their interests aligned? Euractiv Germany’s new Vice-Versa series continues to take a look at one issue from both a European and federal government perspective.
EU plans automatic braking system to clamp down on road deaths
The European Commission is considering introducing automatic braking systems on all new cars in an effort to reduce the number of road deaths. EURACTIV Germany reports.

EU remains idle on curbing imports of ‘blood farm’ hormones
The European Commission has remained silent over a cruel but perfectly legal practice, common in South America, of rearing pregnant horses for their blood in order to harvest a hormone that is used in veterinary products imported to Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German Environment Agency: ‘Tax animal products to tackle climate change’
Meat and dairy farming is more damaging to the environment than producing cereals, fruits or vegetables. Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has called for higher taxes on animal products, but the idea is controversial. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany compromises on Belgian reactor fears
German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks has failed in her bid to get the ageing Belgian nuclear reactors of Doel 3 and Tihange 2 shut down permanently. Instead, Berlin and Brussels have agreed to a better exchange of information on all things atomic. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Report: Lobbyists heavily influencing TiSA negotiations
Businesses are exerting massive pressure on the Trade in Services Agreement negotiations and the European Commission is all too willing to listen, according to a report by LobbyControl. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Study: Militarisation on the rise to counter Russia
Militarisation has increased in Europe and five of the continent's countries are in the top 10 of a new index that compares defence spending with social factors. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Motorists hit with up to €450 in extra fuel costs as carmakers game CO2 tests
Cars consume much more than manufacturers claim they do and the gap between lab and real-world performance can reach up to 42%, according to a new ICCT study. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Stiglitz: US will have a ‘tax avoider-in-chief’ in White House
Countries that encourage tax evasion should miss out on free trade agreements and access to banking, according to economist Joseph Stiglitz who urged Europe to take the lead in fighting tax dodgers in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory in the United States. EURACTIV Germany reports.

European companies help Morocco maintain control over Western Sahara
Morocco is eagerly promoting its green credentials in its hosting of the COP22 climate change conference in Marrakesh. But a new report discloses that the North African country is consolidating its hold on Western Sahara through European-built energy projects. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Study: Recycling scrap steel offers environmental and competitive benefits
The market for scrap steel is weakening, but the circular economy may offer a ray of hope. A new study claims that old steel products will become increasingly important to the industry. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Global industry report dispels myth of ‘nuclear renaissance’
Nuclear energy is being outstripped by renewable energy globally, but despite safety risks and rising costs of new generation reactors, there is still no end in sight for nuclear power - also in Europe. EURACTIV Germany reports.

European Parliament’s backing of fracking outrages critics
The European Parliament has welcomed more imports of fracked gas from the US, leading to criticism questioning the EU's commitment to the Paris Agreement on climate change. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Industrial agriculture threatens to drive German smallholders into ruin
The existence of many farms is dependent on economic pressure and competition brought by larger scale holdings. More and more German farms are being driven into ruin and the environment is paying a hefty price too. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Justice Commissioner continues push for EU prosecutor’s office
Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová is continuing with her ambitious plans to set up a European Public Prosecutor Office by 2019. But the member states still have doubts about handing over control to a centralised EU agency. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austerity-hit citizens allowed to sue troika, ECJ rules
The European Court of Justice has ruled that EU citizens can now sue the troika if they believe their fundamental rights have been violated by austerity. EURACTIV Germany reports.