EURACTIV.com Archives

Specific taxes on sugar, salt or fat do cause reductions in consumption, the European Commission found in a new report. But higher taxes may also merely encourage consumers to go for cheaper products, it warned.

The organic farming sector has grown rapidly over the past ten years, to about 500,000 new hectares every year, according to EU statistics.

Although child marriage is prohibited by international law, over 700 million underage girls are married worldwide, particularly in Africa and Asia.

Production of beef is nearly ten times more damaging to the environment than any other form of meat production, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The European Commission and Parliament are renewing their attempt to update the EU's regulation on novel foods, which was rejected three years ago over ethical and safety concerns related to animal cloning for food production.

More than half of the jobs in the EU's 28 member states will be impacted significantly by advances in technology over the coming decades across sectors, according to calculations by the think tank Bruegel.

The European Commission is considering legislation protecting the geographical origin of non-agricultural products, such as Murano glass and Scottish tartans.

Sweden wants the next European Commission to include a commissioner whose portfolio exclusively deals with human rights. The European Parliament elections have shown that this is necessary, says Birgitta Ohlsson, Minister for European Affairs and Democracy.

After his election as European Commission President on Tuesday (15 July), Jean-Claude Juncker can now start discussions with member states on how to allocate portfolios within his team. Below is an overview of all Commissioners already designated by their member state as well as presumed candidates.

The ‘Spitzenkandidat’ of the centre-right EPP group Jean-Claude Juncker has been elected today (15 July) to lead the European Commission from 1 November, with a massive vote from MEPs, with the Socialists and the Liberals praising the many openings he made in his election speech towards their own political priorities.

The European Commission sent formal letters to 18 EU countries yesterday (10 July), urging them to improve their Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs), the cornerstones of a single European airspace, saying implementation delays were hurting consumers, airlines and the environment.

Nearly 270,000 students received EU grants to study or train abroad in 2012-2013, setting a new record, according to new data from the European Commission.

EU countries' renewables projects have not always been the best value for money, a vital criterion if the EU is to make its 2020 target for such energy, according to the European Court of Auditors (ECA).

After a first plenary session and a series committee meetings in early July, key positions were distributed in the European Parliament. Find an overview of the Parliament's key new faces in our infographic.

The Swedish government has “locked” €118 million worth of EU money made available for Sweden under the EU’s Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) because it could send the country’s finances above the agreed EU deficit limit.

Marie-Christine Arnautu and her fellow National Front MEPs refused to stand for the European anthem at the opening of the new European Parliament (1 July). In an interview with EURACTIV France, she explained why and stressed that a far right parliamentary group is on the horizon.

Yesterday (3 July) marked International Bag Free Day, but most of the world continues to use light-weight plastic bags, deemed the most harmful to the environment.

Philippe Douste-Blazy told EURACTIV France that in the current economic context, financing for foreign aid must be more innovative. This can be achieved with “painless” taxes, tapping into Africa’s oil exports and greater cooperation,he said in an interview.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says acrylamide in food potentially increases the risk of developing cancer for consumers in all age groups. The authority has launched a public consultation on its draft scientific opinion about the substance.

The Austrian government will nominate Johannes Hahn, the current Regional Policy Commissioner, for a new term in Brussels, Vienna announced yesterday (1 July).

Seven of the present EU Commissioners stood for European elections and all were elected. Commission President José Manuel Barroso announced today (1 July) that four of them will take their MEP seats, and informed of the temporary re-allocation of their portfolios, pending decisions of their replacements.

A new report by the European Court of Auditors examining the European External Action Service has found that the institution has been “inadequately prepared”, lacks resources and its tasks are “vaguely defined”.

Airborne emissions still pose a threat to the EU’s plant and animal life but policies have contributed to reducing pollution over the past few decades, according to the European Environment Agency.

Together, EU institutions and their member states are the biggest contributor to development cooperation worldwide. In 2012 alone, more than $37 billion was donated in aid – not counting loans made by the European Investment Bank.