Sarantis Michalopoulos
EU orphan drugs law and the emergence of SMEs
The legal framework provided by the current EU orphan drugs regulation has encouraged a number of small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to develop innovative technologies in the fight against rare diseases in Europe, stakeholders told EURACTIV.com.
The Brief, powered by BSEF – Turkey threatens, Borrell smiles
On Monday (6 July), EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell met Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu, who publicly threatened the EU with retaliation if further sanctions are imposed on Ankara. The threat was met with a diplomatic appeal for dialogue, which - it is increasingly clear now - sometimes just doesn't cut it.
EURORDIS: Rare diseases need more centralised processes within the EU
Future improvement of the EU Orphan Medicines Regulation (OMP) could involve more centralised processes for all rare diseases at the EU level, the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) told EURACTIV in a written interview.
Commission’s ‘risky’ move to re-visit orphan drugs regulation
The European Commission is expected to present by the end of July an evaluation study on the pros and cons of the application of orphan and paediatric regulations, which deal with a niche segment of rare diseases that affect fewer than five in 10,000 people.
Report: Europe’s imported UCO mainly comes from China and palm oil producer countries
A new report has found that more than half the Used Cooking Oil (UCO) used in Europe for biodiesel in 2019 was imported (1.5 million tonnes out of 2.8 million tonnes).
Europe’s hospitality sector makes last appeal ‘before it’s too late’
Hit hard by the pandemic, Europe’s hospitality sector is struggling to find a way out of the current chaos. Speaking to EURACTIV, its representatives have painted a bleak picture and called on governments to take immediate action to help the sector revive rapidly before it’s too late.
Japanese EU ambassador: Hong Kong was promised liberal values
Tokyo is concerned about China’s actions in Hong Kong, which was promised in 1997 a “one country, two systems” based on liberal values, Japanese Ambassador to the EU Kazuo Kodama told EURACTIV.com ion a telephone interview.
Pubs ask for VAT cut on alcohol to face post-COVID reality
Europe’s hospitality sector has been hit hard by the lockdown measures enforced across the continent to contain the spread of COVID-19. In Belgium, pubs and restaurants were forced to shut down on 13 March. The Belgian government provided one-off payments and...
EU lacks ‘complete overview’ about used cooking oil origins
The European Commission does not have a “complete overview” of the origin of used cooking oils used for the production of biodiesel consumed in the EU, but appears set to tighten the rules, EURACTIV has learned.
MEP: Commission could issue recommendations to revive EU hospitality sector
The European Commission could recommend that EU member states take measures such as tax and red tape reductions to help the struggling hospitality sector recover from the economic losses incurred by the pandemic-induced lockdown, MEP Ivan Štefanec has said.
EU to coordinate request for NATO’s participation in Libya mission
EU foreign minister met on Monday (15 June) with their US counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, amid a widening transatlantic rift over Israel and requests from some member states to step up cooperation on Libya.
Biodiesel industry worried about Commission’s aviation fuel plans
In a letter sent to three EU Commissioners, including Vice-President Frans Timmermans, the European waste-based biodiesel industry has voiced its concerns about alleged plans by the European Commission to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Beer boss: Lowering VAT on alcohol would help hospitality sector revive quickly
Lowering VAT rates on alcohol across Europe would tremendously help the hospitality sector's efforts to turn the business around quickly and eventually recover from the disastrous economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Brewers of Europe.
MSD official: COVID-19 shows the way toward a new community care perspective
A lesson to be learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that Europe should switch to a community-based healthcare model with the enhanced use of new technologies, a senior official of the Italian subsidiary of MSD, a multinational pharmaceutical company, told EURACTIV in an interview.
EXCLUSIVE: EU countries to propose excise tax for e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products
EU member states will ask the European Commission this week to place novel tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products under the EU Tobacco Excise Directive, meaning they would be taxed just like traditional tobacco products, according to draft Council conclusions seen by EURACTIV.com.
Commission re-opens controversial advanced biofuel list in transport
The European Commission has launched a stakeholder consultation to expand the list of the so-called advanced or second-generation biofuels of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), EURACTIV.com has learnt.
Parliament refuses apology for suspended Greek officials
The European Parliament has refused to publish on its English website a press release acknowledging its mistake when it targeted three Greek officials of its Athens branch as part of an administrative inquiry launched in 2018. In early 2018, an...
Dangerous off-label drug use to induce labour raises eyebrows in Europe
According to media investigations, the off-label use of a gastrointestinal drug to induce labour has led to severe health implications and even deaths. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) told EURACTIV the drug’s safety information was updated already in 2009, but admitted this has had a limited impact on the off-label use.
Stakeholders back ‘linking’ biomass policy to CAP
Linking biomass policy to key EU policy sectors such as agriculture would create a win-win situation that would help the bloc deliver its Green Deal goals and create a sustainable market, a number of stakeholders told EURACTIV.com.
Biodiesel boss: Green Deal could use available technologies ‘without prejudices’
The much-awaited re-visit of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) should get rid of “prejudices” and take advantage of technologies and products already placed on the market, a biodiesel stakeholder told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Romania allows derogations in fossil fuel blending
The Romanian government adopted on 9 April an emergency ordinance that changes the regulations on fuel sales and allows the sale of gasoline and diesel without the mandatory quotas including biofuels, EURACTIV.ro reported.
Lenarcic: Some wrongly believed they were ready to fight COVID-19
The European Commission has been calling for preparedness against the pandemic since day one in January, the EU Commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarčič, told EURACTIV in an interview.