AGENDA/07/35
Brussels, Friday 12 October
Top News from the European Commission
15 October to 11 November 2007
Background notes from the Spokesperson’s service for journalists
The European Commission reserves the right to make changes
Tuesday 16 October:
EU-Russia Energy Dialogue
3
Wednesday 17 October:
Automotive industry – Towards a European partnership for the anticipation of
change
4
Wednesday 17 October:
Closing the EU market to fisheries products from illegal fishing
5
Wednesday 17 October:
New measures to minimise the impact of bottom fishing gear on fragile marine
ecosystems
6
Wednesday 17 October:
Promoting active inclusion of marginalised people in society and in the labour
market
7
Thursday 18 October (tbc):
Improving efficiency and sustainability in freight transport
8
Thursday 18 and Friday 19 October:
Lisbon informal European Council
9
Friday 19 October 2007:
First micro-chip guided path for visually impaired
10
Tuesday 23 October:
Tackling undeclared work in the EU
11
Tuesday 23 October:
Conclusion of the public debate on the modernisation of labour law
12
Tuesday 23 October:
Improving the rights of legal immigrants in employment
13
Wednesday 24 October:
Amending the European Trade Defence Instruments to take account of the new
realities of globalisation
14
Editeur Alain Bloëdt
+32 2 295 56 04
SPP Coordination et Planification
Expected Wednesday 24 October (tbc):
New rules for novel foods
15
Thursday 25 and Friday 26 October:
50 Years of Food Safety – Gala Event and Trip to Ciney Cattle Market
16
Tuesday 6 November (tbc):
Support scheme in the cotton sector
17
Tuesday 6 November:
Enlargement - the state of play and the way forward
18
Wednesday 7 November:
EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Action Plan on Terrorism
19
Friday 9 November:
Autumn 2007 Economic Forecasts
20
2
Tuesday 16 October: EU-Russia Energy Dialogue
The news:
Commissioner Piebalgs will meet Minister Khristenko in the framework of the EU-Russia
Energy Dialogue, ahead of the EU-Russia Summit to take place on 26 October 2007.
The background:
They will assess the current situation and prospects of cooperation in the energy field,
including energy efficiency, exchange views on the latest developments in the EU energy
market legislation and Russian energy market, including infrastructure developments. They
will also discuss the outcomes of the meetings of the three EU-Russia Thematic Groups on
Energy and they will finalize the provisions of the Eighth Progress Report of the EU-Russia
Energy Dialogue which would provide a solid basis for our further cooperation.
This Energy Dialogue meeting will also be an opportunity to discuss the modalities of the
Early Warning Mechanism as well as the status of the IPS/UPS-UCTE electricity
interconnection feasibility study with representatives of IPS/UPS and UCTE.
The event:
The meeting will be followed by a common press point at 13.00.
The sources:
European Commission website on the EU-Russia energy dialogue:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/russia/index_en.htm
IP/07/579 - EU and Russia restructure their energy dialogue with three new working groups
IP/06/1486 - The first bilateral Conference on energy strategies
Commissioner Piebalgs' website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/piebalgs/index_en.htm
The contacts:
Ferran Tarradellas +32 2 296 6293 ferran.tarradellas@ec.europa.eu
Marilyn Carruthers +32 2 299 9451 marilyn.carruthers@ec.europa.eu
3
Wednesday 17 October: Automotive industry – Towards a European
partnership for the anticipation of change
The news:
The European automotive industry is undergoing profound change and is having to face up
to many challenges of a technological and structural nature. The European Commission
has therefore decided to organise a session of the Restructuring Forum devoted entirely to
the automotive sector.
Some two hundred high-level representatives from the European institutions, companies,
social partners, central governments and regional authorities will gather in Brussels to
discuss the theme "The challenges of the automotive industry – Towards a European
partnership for the anticipation of change".
The industry and social partner organisations representing the various sectors (ACEA European Automobile Manufacturers' Association; CLEPA – European Association of
Automotive Suppliers; EMF – European Metalworkers' Federation) are being closely
involved in the organisation of the Forum.
The background:
The European automotive industry is one of the EU's main economic sectors. Over 12
million families depend on activities linked to automobile manufacture, including 2.3 million
jobs directly within the industry and over 10 million in associated sectors.
With a net trade volume worth EUR 41.6 million, the automotive industry is one of the EU's
most dynamic export sectors.
The event:
17 October at 13.30 at Hotel Le Plaza: Press point with the participation of Commissioner
Vladimir Špidla, Mr Ivan Hodac (ACEA Secretary-General), Mr Lars Holmqvist (CLEPA
CEO) and Mr Peter Scherrer (EMF General Secretary).
17-18 October: Restructuring Forum - Hotel Le Plaza, Boulevard Adolphe Max 118, 1000
Brussels.
The sources:
Forum presentation:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/restructuring/docs/auto_pres_en.pdf
Programme:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/restructuring/docs/auto_draft_agenda2_en.pdf
Commissioner Špidla's blog:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/spidla/blog_en.cfm
Infoclip available on Automotive industry
The contacts:
Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08 katharina.von-schnurbein@ec.europa.eu
Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 carmel.dunne@ec.europa.eu
4
Wednesday 17 October: Closing the EU market to fisheries products
from illegal fishing
The news:
The Commission will propose a new strategy to strengthen the EU's fight against Illegal,
Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
After taking stock of what has already been achieved since the adoption of the 2002 EU
action plan on illegal fishing, the Commission proposes new measures. These principally
aim at closing the doors of the EU market to fisheries products that have been illegally
caught, setting tougher and more uniform sanctions against IUU fishing operations and
increasing the effectiveness of actions against the environmental, economic and social
consequences of illegal fishing. This would require the port state to ensure from the state
where the vessel concerned is registered that the products on board have been legally
caught.
Similarly, imports into the EU would need to be certified by the exporting country.
As illegal fishing is mainly the fruit of criminal organisations which operate solely for short
term profit, the best way to eliminate it will be through closing one of their main outlets: the
EU market.
The background:
The fight against IUU fishing is one of the main priorities of the EU within the framework of
the Common fisheries policy. IUU fishing, which accounts for 15-20% of all catches
worldwide, is a major threat to the sustainability of fish stocks and marine biodiversity. It
also causes considerable losses to coastal communities and to those operating legally. It is
particularly harmful to developing countries which often do not have the means to control
fishing activities in all their waters.
This package is a part of the new EU maritime policy adopted on 10 October.
The event:
Press conference by Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg in the
Berlaymont press room.
Press pack and video news release will be available
The sources:
European Commission website on fisheries:
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/index_en.htm
European Commission website on combating illegal fishing:
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/external_relations/illegal_fishing_en.htm
Commissioner Borg's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/borg/index_en.htm
The contacts:
Mireille Thom +32 2 299 1630 mireille.thom@ec.europa.eu
Lone Mikkelsen +32 2 296 0567 lone.mikkelsen@ec.europa.eu
5
Wednesday 17 October: New measures to minimise the impact of
bottom fishing gear on fragile marine ecosystems
The news:
Bottom trawling and some other fishing practices used on or close to the sea floor can be
damaging to sensitive marine ecosystems, as the gear concerned can interfere with the
natural balance of life on the sea bed.
The Commission will now propose a comprehensive EU strategy to tackle the adverse
impacts of bottom fishing practices on fragile marine ecosystems. The package will include
a Communication on the topic as well as a proposal for a Council Regulation on the
concrete measures to put in place immediately in order to implement the UN
recommendations. The measures proposed will include new management initiatives in
relevant Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and where no such organisations
exist, the need for the European vessels concerned to obtain a special permit to operate in
the areas concerned. This and other proposed measures will protect vulnerable marine
ecosystems from the adverse impacts of bottom fishing gear.
Measures to regulate these activities in EU waters are already taken. However, when this
type of fishing takes place on the high seas beyond national or EU waters, preventive
action must be taken at international level. In December 2006, the UN General Assembly
adopted a resolution on sustainable fisheries, which also addresses the protection of fragile
marine ecosystems and the use of certain fishing gears. The EU played an active role in
adopting this resolution.
The background:
The EU has already put in place measures to protect deep sea corals and other vulnerable
habitats in EU waters (in the Atlantic, off the west coast of Scotland, and in waters
surrounding the Canary, Azores and Madeira Islands, in the Mediterranean). However, as
EU fleets operate in all the world's oceans, the EU's responsibility to act extends beyond its
own waters. The EU is actively pushing for similar action through Regional Fisheries
Management Organisations (RFMOs) and other international fora.
This package is a part of the new EU maritime policy adopted on 10 October.
The event:
Press conference by Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg in the
Berlaymont press room.
A press kit and a video release will be available
The sources:
European Commission website on fisheries:
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/index_en.htm
Commissioner Borg's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/borg/index_en.htm
The contacts:
Mireille Thom:+32 2 299 1630 mireille.thom@ec.europa.eu
Lone Mikkelsen, +32 2 296 0567 lone.mikkelsen@ec.europa.eu
6
Wednesday 17 October: Promoting active inclusion of marginalised
people in society and in the labour market
The news:
Despite being one of the richest regions in the world, the EU and its Member States are still
far from reaching the EU objective to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty
by 2010: 16% of Europe’s population is at risk of financial poverty, one in five lives in substandard housing, 10% live in households where nobody works, long-term unemployment
approaches 4% and the proportion of early school leavers is over 15%.
The Commission will launch a public consultation on how to promote the active inclusion of
marginalised people in society and in the labour market. It will adopt a communication
"Modernising social protection for greater social justice and economic cohesion: taking
forward the active inclusion of people furthest from the labour market". This will also launch
the second-stage consultation of the social partners under Article 138(3) of the EC Treaty.
Comments should be sent in no later than 28 February 2008:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/consultation_en.html
The Commission will examine all the contributions received, make public its conclusions
and decide on appropriate follow-up.
The background:
Supporting the social and labour market integration of those at the margins of society and
the labour market is an integral part of the EU strategy for Jobs and Growth, which aims to
mobilise the full potential of our human resources. In 2006 the Commission proposed a
holistic, active inclusion strategy to combine adequate and effective income support with
better access to inclusive labour markets and enable, quality social services. Active
inclusion in this sense is fully complementary to the “flexicurity” approach, while targeting
those at the margins of the labour market and society.
The event:
Press conference by Commissioner Vladimír Špidla on 17 October at 11.15 in the
Berlaymont press room.
It will also be announced at the 6th Round Table on Poverty and Social Exclusion on 16-17
October 2007 in the Azores:
http://www.eu2007.pt/UE/vEN/Reunioes_Eventos/Outros/Pobreza_Exclusao_Social.htm
The sources:
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_inclusion/active_inclusion_en.htm
Commissioner Špidla's blog:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/spidla/blog_en.cfm
The contacts:
Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08 katharina.von-schnurbein@ec.europa.eu
Carmel Dunne + 32 2 299 88 94 carmel.dunne@ec.europa.eu
7
Thursday 18 October (tbc): Improving efficiency and sustainability in
freight transport
The news:
The European Commission will adopt a Freight Transport Package to improve the
efficiency and sustainability of freight transport in the European Union.
The Package includes an Action Plan on Freight Transport Logistics, which proposes
measures to combat congestion, to make better use of information technology, and to
promote freight oriented railways, shipping, smart transport systems and urban transport.
The Action Plan will be accompanied by a set of policy initiatives. These are:

a Communication on a Freight-oriented Rail Network.

a Communication on monitoring development of the rail market.

a Communication on a European Ports Policy.
The background:
Freight transport affects our everyday life in many different ways: continuity of supply,
prices, congestions, environmental impact, etc.
Freight transport is also essential to the EU's competitiveness and growth. The volume of
freight transported in the EU is expected to increase by 50% between 2000 and 2020.
Improving the efficiency of freight transport in the EU is essential for sustainable economic
growth, as well as for combating challenges such as congestion, climate change,
dependence on fossil fuels, and security.
The objective of the Freight Transport Package to be adopted by the Commission is to
improve the efficiency, interoperability and inter-connectivity of rail, maritime, inland
waterway transport, air and road transport and to work towards their full integration in a
seamless door-to-door service (known as 'co-modality'). It will also encourage
improvements in transport and cargo management and the use of available infrastructure
through information and communication technologies; and develop the concept of green
corridors to address environmental as well as safety and security concerns in the design
and operation of infrastructure on the trans-European transport network.
The event:
Adoption of the package by the Commission.
Press conference by Vice-President Jacques Barrot in the Berlaymont press room at 12.30
(tbc).
A press release and a Memo will be issued.
The sources:
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/logistics/index_en.htm
Vice President Barrot's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/barrot/index_en.htm
The contacts:
Michele Cercone + 32 2 298 0963 michele.cercone@ec.europa.eu
Maria Quillinan-Meiland +32 2 299 4014 maria.meiland@ec.europa.eu
8
Thursday 18 and Friday 19 October: Lisbon informal European Council
The news:
The Lisbon meeting of heads of state and government convened by the Portuguese
presidency will primarily be dedicated to the finalization of the EU Reform Treaty, following
the successful conclusion of the work of the legal advisors.
In addition to discussion to the reform Treaty, the President of the European Commission
will present to the informal summit the paper adopted last Wednesday by the Commission "
The European interest: succeeding in the age of globalisation". This will form the basis for a
debate between Head of States and government on the theme of Europe response to
globalization.
The background:
The Lisbon meeting comes after the June European Council that agreed on the mandate
for an IGC, the opening of the IGC in July and the work of the legal advisors on the draft
treaty submitted by the Portuguese presidency.
The event:
On Tuesday 16 October:
Technical Briefing off the record with Michel Petit, Director-General of the Legal Service of
the European Commission.
The sources:
IGC mandate:
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/07/st11/st11218.en07.pdf
Draft reform Treaty:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=1317&lang=fr&mode=g
Contribution of the Commission to the October Meeting of Heads of State and
Government " The European interest: succeeding in the age of globalisation":
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/pdf/COM2007_581_en.pdf
Video blog President Barroso:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/president/multimedia/vlog/index_fr.htm
The contacts:
Johannes Laitenberger +32 2 296 57 45 johannes.laitenberger@ec.europa.eu
Mark Gray +32 2 298 86 44 mark-stephen.gray@ec.europa.eu
9
Friday 19 October 2007: First micro-chip guided path for visually
impaired
The news:
SESAMONET (Secure and Safe Mobility Network) – a 2 km prototype path for safe
navigation for the visually impaired - opens for use on the shores of Lake Maggiore
(Northern Italy).
The background:
Scientists at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre have developed and
patented a prototype system which uses RFID micro-chips embedded in the ground to
guide a visually impaired person through a predefined area. The microchips can be
recycled from the electronic tracking of cattle thus keeping the cost of the system low. Each
micro-chip sends position signals via a special walking stick to a smart phone containing
information about the location and a recorded voice – via a Bluetooth headset - guides the
visually impaired person along the route. In collaboration with the municipal authorities of
Laveno, a 2 km path along the lakeshore – starting at the railway station – has been
equipped with microchips wrapped in ceramic cells and embedded at 60 cm intervals.
As it works independently from electric power or GPS, SESAMONET can be installed both
in indoor and external environments (e.g. parks, shopping centres) and thus will contribute
to improved mobility for those who suffer from visual impairments.
The event:
19 October at 11.00: Opening ceremony of the SESAMONET path in Laveno-Mombello
(Italy) followed by a practical demonstration of the prototype system.
A press release will be issued.
The sources:
Website of the Joint Research Center:
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index.cfm
Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen's website:
http://ipsc.jrc.ec.europa.eu/
Seals and Identification Techniques Laboratory's website:
http://silab.jrc.it/
Commissioner Potočnik's blog:
http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/potocnik/
The contacts:
Antonia Mochan +32 2 296 99 21 Antonia.Mochan@ec.europa.eu
Sophie Andersson +32 2 295 02 08 Sophie.Andersson@ec.europa.eu
10
Tuesday 23 October: Tackling undeclared work in the EU
The news:
The Commission will adopt a Communication on undeclared work, an issue of central
importance to European employment policies. The Communication will illustrate the scope
for mutual learning of successful practices already undertaken at national level and will put
forward a number of combined actions in fields such as:

Reduction of labour taxation and of administrative complexities in tax and benefit
systems

Removal of red tape, such as the transitional arrangements limiting mobility of
workers from new Member States

Surveillance and sanctions, where appropriate involving social partners

Strengthened cooperation across labour and social security institutions of Member
States

Exploring measurement methodologies in order to enable monitoring.
The Communication is based on fact finding and supported by a report on "Undeclared
Work in the European Union", which describes new evidence on the extent and
characteristics of the problem in the EU27 from a special Eurobarometer survey carried out
in the second quarter of 2007.
Results show significant differences across Member States with the highest occurrences of
undeclared work in southern and central Europe, the prevalence among students, selfemployed and unemployed and the importance of 'envelope wages'.
The background:
Undeclared work was previously the subject of a Communication in 1998. This prepared
the ground for an EU-wide debate which culminated in the policy approach set out in the
Employment Guidelines 2003-2005 and in the 2003 Council Resolution on transforming
undeclared work into regular employment. These acts advocated a balanced mix of
prevention, awareness-raising, sanctions and law enforcement.
However, the presence of the shadow economy has not decreased over recent years and
only piecemeal actions have been undertaken across Member States. Hence, concerns
may be raised as to the level of political attention given to the issue.
The Communication will serve as background for a joint "Jumbo" EMPL/JLS Council on 6
December 2007.
The event:
Adoption by the Commission on 23 October.
Press conference by Commissioner Vladimír Špidla on 24 October at 12.30 in the
Berlaymont pressroom.
The sources:
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/employment_analysis/work_en.htm
Commissioner Špidla's blog:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/spidla/blog_en.cfm
The contacts:
Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08 katharina.von-schnurbein@ec.europa.eu
Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 carmel.dunne@ec.europa.eu
11
Tuesday 23 October: Conclusion of the public debate on the
modernisation of labour law
The news:
The Commission will adopt a Communication on the results of the public consultation on
the Green Paper on Labour Law which received over 450 replies from interested parties.
The responses highlighted the extent to which labour law is an important tool, not only in
dealing with the management of the workforce, but also in providing a sense of security to
workers and citizens in a world of rapid change and high mobility of capital and technology.
The adoption of the Communication marks the conclusion of the public consultation
process on the modernisation of labour law and identifies a number of areas where the
Commission considers that further cooperation, legal clarity and more and better
information is needed.
The background:
The 2006 Green Paper launched a public debate in the EU on how labour law can support
the Lisbon Strategy's objective of achieving sustainable growth with more and better jobs. It
looked at the role labour law might play in advancing a "flexicurity" agenda in support of a
labour market which is fairer, more responsive and more inclusive, and which contributes to
making Europe more competitive.
The debate became a focus for public opinion and media interest throughout the EU by
generating consultation between governments at national level and their social partners,
public authorities and independent experts.
The responses received by the Commission encompass all stakeholders: national
governments, regional governments, national parliaments, social partners at EU and
national level, NGOs, individual enterprises, academics, legal experts and private
individuals.
The event:
Adoption by the Commission on 23 October
Press conference by Commissioner Vladimír Špidla on 24 October at 12.30 in the
Berlaymont press room
The sources:
For the 2006 Green Paper:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/labour_law/green_paper_en.htm
All responses received in the course of the public consultation process:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/labour_law/green_paper_responses_en.htm
Commissioner Špidla's blog:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/spidla/blog_en.cfm
The contacts:
Katharina von Schnurbein +32 2 298 14 08 katharina.von-schnurbein@ec.europa.eu
Carmel Dunne +32 2 299 88 94 carmel.dunne@ec.europa.eu
12
Tuesday 23 October: Improving the rights of legal immigrants in
employment
The news:
The Commission will adopt two proposals. The first one concerns the conditions of entry
and residence of third country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment. It
aims at quickly and effectively responding to increasing demands for highly qualified thirdcountry workers by EU companies, also by encouraging job and geographical mobility
linked to concrete job vacancies to fill.
The second one will propose a single application procedure for a single permit for third
country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and a common set of
rights for third country workers legally residing in a Member State. It aims at securing the
legal status of already admitted third-country workers in respect of a number of socioeconomic rights and at introducing procedural simplifications for the applicants, and it does
not proposes common rules for the admission of third-country workers.
The background:
The EU needs well managed legal migration. These proposals are the first two of the five
legislative proposals announced in the Policy Plan on Legal Migration, adopted by the
Commission in December 2005.The development of a common approach to legal migration
will need to be progressive and flexible. It must match the prerogatives of individual
Member States, such as their right to determine the number of third-country workers they
admit. EU workers, in particular those from the new Member States, will continue to enjoy
priority over potential immigrants with regard to access to Member States' labour markets.
To maintain and improve economic growth in the EU, it is essential for Europe to become a
magnet for highly skilled. Qualified and highly qualified migrants prefer the USA, Canada
and Australia. We must work hard to make the EU an attractive destination for such people.
To do so, the EU must present a united front, rather than emphasise the different
immigration policies of each Member State.
The second proposal aims at ensuring fair treatment of third-country nationals lawfully
residing in the EU, by giving them comparable rights to those of the EU citizens, following
the clear stand of the European Council of Tampere.
The event:
Press conference by Vice President Franco Frattini and President Barroso in the pres room
of the EP in Strasbourg.
Available on EbS
Technical briefing
The sources:
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/immigration/fsj_immigration_intro_en.htm
Vice President Frattini's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/frattini/index_en.htm
The contacts:
Telmo Baltazar + 322 296 6746 telmo.baltazar@ec.europa.eu
Riccardo Mosca +32 2 296 1404 riccardo.mosca@ec.europa.eu
13
Wednesday 24 October: Amending the European Trade Defence
Instruments to take account of the new realities of globalisation
The news:
The Commission will have an orientation debate on the results of the public consultation on
the Green Paper on Trade Defence Instruments which received over 540 replies from
interested parties.
This debate will focus on the changes to production and trading patterns in Europe and in
the world and on the need to ensure that Europe is properly equipped to deal with
instances of unfair trade.
Later in the year, the College will adopt a Communication on the review of the Trade
Defence Instruments.
The background:
The European Union, like most importing economies applies a system of trade defence
instruments or Anti-Dumping, Anti-Subsidy and Safeguard measures to defend European
producers against unfair trade and dramatic shifts in trade flows.
The Commission Green Paper does not question the fundamental value of trade defence
instruments, but invites a public reflection on how the EU can best use them in a changing
global economic context to protect jobs and growth.
In the past decade there have been far-reaching changes in the structure of both the global
and the EU economy. Many EU companies now produce goods outside the EU for import
into the EU, others have outsourced some steps in the production process, or operate
supply chains that stretch beyond the EU market. These changes challenge familiar
understandings of what constitutes EU production and the EU's economic interests.
A reflection process can help to ensure that EU Trade Defence Instruments are fully
adapted to changes in the global economy and serve the overall economic interest of the
EU.
The event:
Orientation debate at the College on the results of the public consultation on the Green
Paper on Trade Defence Instruments.
Available on EbS
The sources:
Green paper on Trade Defence Instruments webpage:
http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/respectrules/anti_dumping/comu061206_en.htm
Commissioner Mandelson 's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/mandelson/index_fr.htm
The contacts:
Peter Power +32 2 296 1777 peter.power@ec.europa.eu
Michael Jennings +32 2 298 6880 michael.jennings@ec.europa.eu
14
Expected Wednesday 24 October (tbc): New rules for novel foods
The news:
The Commission will adopt a Regulation revising EU rules for the assessment,
authorisation, labelling and use of novel foods in the EU.
The aim of the draft Regulation is to upgrade the rules and procedures for novel foods, so
as to encourage innovation in the food sector and facilitate trade, while at the same time
maintaining a very high level of food safety.
The definition of novel foods will be clarified, taking into account new and emerging
technologies which could have an impact on food production.
The novel food authorisation system will be made more transparent and efficient, and the
European Food Safety Authority will be central to the safety assessment of such products.
For traditional foods from third countries which wish to enter the EU market for the first
time, the Commission's proposal foresees a more proportionate assessment and
authorisation procedure, which will take into account the safe history of use this food may
have in other parts of the world.
The background:
A novel food is defined as a food which does not have a significant history of consumption
in the EU before 1997. Examples of novel foods which have been authorised for use over
the past few years are "noni juice" and products with added phytosterols/phytostanols
which can help to lower cholesterol.
The event:
A press release will be issued
The sources:
For more information on novel food, see:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/novelfood/index_en.htm
Commissioner Kyprianou's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kyprianou/index_en.htm
The contacts:
Philip Tod +32 2 296 5911 philip.tod@ec.europa.eu
Nina Papadoulaki + 32 2 298 6378 haravgi-nina.papadoulaki@ec.europa.eu
15
Thursday 25 and Friday 26 October: 50 Years of Food Safety – Gala
Event and Trip to Ciney Cattle Market
The news:
The Commission is hosting a gala event to celebrate "50 Years of Food Safety. Animal
health and welfare, plant health and food safety experts from across Europe will come
together to take stock of the EU food safety policy's achievements and exchange views on
priorities for the future.
The background:
Today there is a solid body of legislation in place to ensure that any food or feed put on the
EU market meets the highest possible standards. The gala event will be a chance to look
back at the changes and achievements in EU food safety over the past 50 years, and to
consider the challenges that may emerge in this field in the years ahead.
The trip to Ciney will provide participants with the opportunity to see first-hand how EU
rules on animal health and welfare apply in practice. Following serious animal welfare
problems at the market in the 1990s, the Commission intervened. Ciney market now
adheres to very high animal health and welfare standards.
At the pilothèque participants will be given a demonstration of DNA sampling and will be
presented with an overview of how EU traceability systems work. Finally, the visit to the
AWE insemination centre will be a chance to see a state-of-the-art institution, specialising
in collection, processing and storage of semen from the famous "Blanc Bleu Belge" breed
of cattle.
The event:
Thursday 25th October: Crowne Plaza, Place Rogier, Brussels 1000
14.30-17.00: "Past, Present and Future of Food Safety" Forum with veterinarians from the
current generation, as well as retired vets who will speak about their experience of working
in Europe 50 years ago. Commissioner Kyprianou will give a key-note speech at the
conference on Thursday afternoon, and will launch the Commission's recently published
"50 Years of Food Safety" book at a cocktail at 18.00
Friday 26th October: Bus leaves from the Crowne Plaza at 5.30am.
A half-day trip is planned to the livestock market in Ciney, which is the 3rd largest market in
Europe and a model example of how EU animal health and welfare rules apply in practice.
There will also be a visit to the nearby insemination centre and "pilothèque" (DNA-based
traceability centre).
Journalists are invited to attend both the cocktail and book launch on Thursday evening and
the trip to Ciney on Friday. Alternatively, accommodation can be provided in Ciney on
Thursday night, to be at the market for 6.45am on Friday. Buses leave Ciney for Brussels at
14.00.
The sources:
European Commission websites:
http://europa.eu/pol/food/overview_en.htm
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s80000.htm
Commissioner Kyprinaou's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/kyprianou/index_fr.htm
The contacts:
Philip Tod +32 2 296 59 11 philip.tod@ec.europa.eu
Nina Papadoulaki + 32 2 298 6378 haravgi-nina.papadoulaki@ec.europa.eu
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Tuesday 6 November (tbc): Support scheme in the cotton sector
The news:
The European Commission will propose a review of the support scheme for cotton, adopted
in 2004 as part of the CAP reform, following the annulment of the scheme by the Court of
Justice in September 2006.
After carrying out broad consultations of interested parties and an impact assessment, the
Commission will make a new legislative proposal for supporting the EU cotton sector.
The background:
Following the 2003 CAP reform, the Council adopted a new aid regime for cotton in 2004,
applicable from January 2006. Under the arrangement, 65 % of the previous aid was
"decoupled" (no longer linked to production) and 35 % remained linked to cotton
production, in the form of area payments.
The 2004 reform was challenged by the Spanish government and the European Court of
Justice annulled it in September 2006. The Court ruled that the principle of proportionality
(the EU may act only to the extent that is needed to achieve its objectives) had not been
observed. The Court did not question the reform's approach (i.e. the change of support
system) but stated that the Commission had failed to carry out an impact study that
included labour costs in its calculation of production costs, and the potential effects of the
reform on the local ginning industry. It instructed that a new regulation should be prepared
and adopted within a "reasonable time frame".
The event:
Adoption of the revised cotton regime by the Commission (date tbc).
A press release will be issued
The sources:
IP/07/660 - Commission consults stakeholders on cotton regime
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/cotton/index_en.htm
Commissioner Fischer Boel's blog:
http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/blog_fischerboel/
The contacts:
Michael Mann+32 2 299 97 80 michael.mann@ec.europa.eu
Johan Reyniers +32 2 295 67 28 johan.reyniers@ec.europa.eu
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Tuesday 6 November: Enlargement - the state of play and the way
forward
The news:
The Commission publishes its regular reports assessing the progress made by candidate
and potential candidate countries. To establish a clear framework for the enlargement
policy, the Commission will also adopt a strategy document on the way ahead. In addition
the Commission will adopt the Multiannual Financing Framework document for all the
candidate and potential candidate countries establishing the financial framework for 20082011 with indicative country specific allocations. Finally Commission adopts updated draft
Accession Partnership (AP) documents for candidate countries and European Partnership
(EP) documents for potential candidate countries to be submitted to the Council for
adoption.
The background:
There are three candidate countries for EU accession: Croatia, the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. The Commission makes regular reports on their
progress towards meeting the requirements for EU membership.
Four potential candidate countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia
- either have established (Albania) or are in the process of establishing contractual
relationships with the EU (Stabilisation and Association Agreements). The Commission will
also report on their progress. There will also be a report on progress made in Kosovo under
UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
AP and EP documents identify the main priorities to be addressed by the countries in the
short and medium term. These documents are updated with two years intervals and that is
why there is no update for Montenegro this year since EP was adopted last year.
The event:
Press conference by Commissioner Rehn in the Berlaymont press room - time tbc.
Available on EbS
The sources:
IP/06/1523 - Commission proposes renewed consensus on enlargement
MEMO/06/413 - Questions and answers on the Union’s enlargement strategy and its
integration capacity
MEMO/06/412 - Key findings of the progress reports on Kosovo and the potential candidate
countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia
MEMO/06/411 - Key findings of the progress reports on the candidate countries: Croatia,
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey
MEMO/06/410 - FAQ on Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)
SPEECH/06/663 - Speech by Olli Rehn on the Enlargement package
Montenegro European Partnership 2006
European Commission website on enlargement:
http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/index_fr.htm
Video Stockshots and infoclip will be available
The contacts:
Krisztina Nagy +32 2 298 8663 krisztina.nagy@ec.europa.eu
Noora Häyrinen +32 2 295 8437 noora.hayrinen@ec.europa.eu
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Wednesday 7 November: EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Action
Plan on Terrorism
The news:
The Commission will launch a further element to its commitment to the fight against
terrorism. The proposals have been prepared with the aim of combating terrorism globally,
while respecting human rights and making Europe safer, allowing its citizens to live in
freedom, security and justice.
The package of proposals will consist of: an EU Action Plan on the security of explosives; a
proposal for an amendment to the Framework Decision on Terrorism dealing with use of
internet for terrorist purposes; and a European Passenger Name Record (PNR).
The background:
Explosives:
The Commission adopted a Communication on ensuring greater security in explosives,
bomb-making equipment and firearms in 2005. Building on this, an EU conference on
"Enhancing the Security of Explosives" took place on 9-10 October 2006 and a network of
experts (the ESETF) was created. Their report formed the basis of the EU Action Plan for
the Enhancement of the Security of Explosives.
Regulation of use of the Internet for Terrorist purposes:
Building on the 2005 Commission communication 'Terrorist Recruitment; addressing the
factors contributing to violent radicalisation' of 2005, and following consultation with
Member States, the decision was made to amend modify the Framework Decision on
Combating terrorism currently under preparation.
PNR:
Discussed as part of the Hague Programme, the Commission consulted widely with all
stakeholders and undertook an impact assessment. The outcome is the Framework
Decision due to be proposed.
The event:
Communication on Terrorist package and publication of a proposal for a Framework
Decison on the use of PNR.
The sources:
Report on implementation of the action plan to combat terrorism:
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/05/st15/st15704.en05.pdf
European Commission website:
http://ec.europa.eu/justice_home/fsj/terrorism/strategies/fsj_terrorism_strategies_counter_e
n.htm
Vice President Frattini's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/frattini/policies/policies_en.htm
The contacts:
Telmo Baltazar + 322 296 6746 telmo.baltazar@ec.europa.eu
Riccardo Mosca + 32 2 296 1404 riccardo.mosca@ec.europa.eu
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Friday 9 November: Autumn 2007 Economic Forecasts
The news:
The European Commission will publish its Autumn economic forecasts for the 2007-2009
period, including data for economic growth, inflation, employment, general government debt
and deficit, and investment.
The background:
Twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, the European Commission produces macro-economic
projections on a comprehensive set of variables for the European Union member states as
well as the aggregate figures for the EU as a whole and the euro zone.
Since the beginning of 2006, the Commission also publishes twice a year interim forecasts.
The last one was published on 11 September 2007. The interim forecast had put economic
growth in 2007 at 2.8% in the European Union and 2.5% in the euro area.
The event:
Press Conference by Commissioner Joaquín Almunia at the Berlaymont in Brussels at
12.15. IP and economic forecasts on the day.
Video and photo coverage by EbS
The sources:
IP/07/615 - Spring 2007 Economic forecast (7 May 2007)
IP/07/1295 - Interim Forecasts (11 September 2007)
European Commission websites:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/index_en.htm
http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications/european_economy/forecasts_en.
htm
Commissioner Almunia's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/almunia/index_en.htm
The contacts:
Amelia Torres + 32 2 295 4629 amelia.torres@ec.europa.eu
Marisa González + 32 2 295 1925 marisa.gonzalez-iglesias@ec.europa.eu
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