Number 5
5th February 2010
EENW Information Bulletin
The latest information from the European Union concerning:
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Bibliographic Works
European Union - General and Institutional developments
People & Politics
Budget - Financing the EU
Economic and Monetary Union
Single Market - Competition
Business - Industry - Trade
Employment - Labour Market
Social Policy - Social Issues
Structural Policies - Regional Policy
Environment
Consumer Affairs
Agriculture - Fisheries - Forestry
Transport - Communications - Tourism
Energy
Research and development - Science and technology
Education - Training -Culture
External relations
Law
Wales & Europe
Compiled by Ian Thomson, Information Consultant to WEIC ltd
Economic and Monetary Union
Output in EU countries accelerates to 2-year high
The eurozone’s manufacturing sector grew at its fastest rate for two years in January 2010, but the
chasm between the bloc’s healthiest and weakest economies is widening, according to the Markit
Economics Eurozone Manufacturing PMI, a closely watched survey.
Financial Times 2.2.10
(Pignal, Stanley)
Eurozone economic sentiment still buoyant
Economic sentiment in the eurozone is continuing to improve at a sustained rate, according to the
EU's Economic Sentiment Indicator released on 28 January 2010, but worrying divergences are
emerging between the bloc’s healthiest and weakest economies.
Financial Times 29.1.10
(Pignal, Stanley)
Single Market - Competition
Speech: The important role of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic
Communications
Text of a speech by Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy, at the inaugural
meeting of BEREC, Palais d'Egmont, Brussels, 28 January 2010.
Speech SPEECH/10/15 (28.1.10)
(European Commission: DG Communication)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/15&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Press Release: Antitrust: European Competition Network publishes first edition of newsletter
on competition authorities' activities
The European Competition Network (ECN), composed of the competition authorities of the EU
Member States and the European Commission, published the first issue of the ECN Brief on 28
January 2010. The ECN Brief will inform readers about the activities of the ECN and its members
with a view to ensuring wider communication on antitrust enforcement and advocacy action by all
authorities in the ECN. The Brief, which is intended to be published five times a year, complements
the extensive communications policies of the individual ECN members.
Press Release IP/10/73 (28.1.10)
(European Commission: DG Communication)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/73&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Memo: State aid: Overview of national measures adopted as a response to the
financial/economic crisis
Memo MEMO/10/13 (26.1.10)
(European Commission: DG Communication)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/13&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Business - Industry - Trade
Press Release: New EU Telecoms Regulator gets to work
28 January 2010 marks the start of a new era for telecoms in the EU. The telecoms regulators of the
27 EU countries will meet for the first time in Brussels as members of the new Body of European
Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). The new European telecoms regulator
BEREC has been established following the adoption by the Council and Parliament of the new EU
Telecoms rules in December 2009. With 12 fixed and 10 mobile telecoms companies offering
services in many other EU Member States and hundreds of service providers operating across
borders, BEREC will play a crucial role in strengthening the single telecoms market and consistent
regulation across Europe. Assisted by an office with expert staff, the new European telecoms
regulatory body will in particular help ensure fair competition in the single telecoms market. In
2008, Europe's telecoms sector revenues accounted for €351 billion.
Press Release IP/10/62 (28.1.10)
(European Commission: DG Communication)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/62&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Employment - Labour market
Eurozone unemployment rate hits 10%
Unemployment in the 16 countries that use the euro hit 10% in December 2009 for the first time
since the single currency was introduced in 1999.
BBC News 29.1.10
(BBC)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/default.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8486768.stm
Labour Force Statistics 2009
This annual edition of Labour Force Statistics provides detailed statistics on population, labour
force, employment and unemployment, broken down by gender, as well as unemployment duration,
employment status, employment by sector of activity and part-time employment.
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
http://www.oecd.org
Social Policy - Social Issues
First European reference laboratory network for tuberculosis launched
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), on 25 January 2010, hosted the
launch of the European Reference Laboratory Network for Tuberculosis (ERLN-TB). Reference
laboratories representatives from EU/EEA Member States and Candidate Countries will engage in
an unprecedented initiative in the field of tuberculosis control in the EU.
News 26.1.10
(European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/news/Lists/News/ECDC_DispForm.aspx?List=32e43ee8%2De230%2D4424%2Da783%2D85742124029a&ID=
337&RootFolder=%2Fen%2Fpress%2Fnews%2FLists%2FNews
Environment
Eco-Innovation in Industry. Enabling Green Growth
Eco-innovation will be a key driver of industry efforts to tackle climate change and realise “green
growth” in the post-Kyoto era. Eco-innovation calls for faster introduction of breakthrough
technologies and for more systemic application of available solutions, including non-technological
ones. It also offers opportunities to involve new players, develop new industries and increase
competitiveness. Structural change in economies will be imperative in coming decades.
This book presents the research and analysis carried out during the first phase of the OECD Project
on Sustainable Manufacturing and Eco-innovation. Its aim is to provide benchmarking tools on
sustainable manufacturing and to spur eco-innovation through better understanding of innovation
mechanisms. It reviews the concepts and forms an analytical framework; analyses the nature and
processes of eco-innovation; discusses existing sustainable manufacturing indicators; examines
methodologies for measuring eco-innovation; and takes stock of national strategies and policy
initiatives for eco-innovation.
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
http://www.oecd.org
http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/get-it.asp?REF=9209061E.PDF&TYPE=browse
Globalisation, Transport and the Environment
What impact has globalisation had on transport? And what have been the consequences for the
environment? This book aims to answer these questions and more. It looks in detail at how
globalisation has affected activity levels in maritime shipping, aviation, and road and rail freight,
and assesses the impact that changes in activity levels have had on the environment. The book also
discusses policy instruments that can be used to address negative environmental impacts, both from
an economic perspective and from the point of view of international law.
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
http://www.oecd.org
http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/get-it.asp?REF=9710021E.PDF&TYPE=browse
Press Release: Climate change: European Union notifies EU emission reduction targets
following Copenhagen Accord
The European Union formalised on 28 January 2010 its support for the Copenhagen Accord on
climate change and presented its commitments for emission reduction targets. In a joint letter with
the Spanish Presidency of the Council, the European Commission has formally notified the EU's
willingness to be associated with the Accord and submitted for information the EU's established
greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for 2020. These consist of a unilateral commitment to
reduce the EU's overall emissions by 20% of 1990 levels and a conditional offer to increase this cut
to 30% provided that other major emitters agree to take on their fair share of a global reduction
effort. Under the Accord, notifications are to be submitted by 31 January 2010.
Press Release IP/10/97 (28.1.10)
(European Commission: DG Communication)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/97&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
EU: crucial to combating climate change
The UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, believes the European Union (EU) has a key role to
play in achieving collective action on climate change.
News 27.1.10
(United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
http://www.fco.gov.uk/
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=21600182
Press Release: Dedicated EU body needed to ensure enforcement of European waste law, says
Commission study
A European Commission study published on 1 February 2010 recommends setting up a dedicated
European body to oversee the implementation and enforcement of EU waste law. The study is part
of a series of steps being taken by the Commission to improve waste management and ensure it
meets the standards set by EU legislation to protect citizens and the environment. Illegal dumping
of waste continues on a significant scale, many landfill sites are sub standard and in some Member
States basic waste infrastructure is still missing. Illegal waste shipments are also a concern. A
second report also published on 1 February 2010 reveals that almost one fifth of waste shipments
inspected as part of recent enforcement actions in Member States were illegal.
Press Release IP/10/113 (1.2.10)
(European Commission: DG Communication)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/113&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Consumer Affairs
Press Release: Judgment in Case C-358/08. Aventis Pasteur SA v OB
During proceedings instituted incorrectly against the supplier of a defective product, the producer
can be substituted for him only within a period of 10 years from the putting into circulation of the
product. After the expiry of this period that substitution is, however, possible where the supplier is
wholly-owned by the producer and the latter determined the putting into circulation of the product
on the market.
Press Release No. 106, 2009 (2.12.09)
(European Court of Justice: Press and Information Division)
http://curia.europa.eu/
http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2009-12/cp090106en.pdf
Move to e-banking calls for closer EU scrutiny
Report of a EurActiv interview with online security expert Samee Zafar, January 2010.
EurActiv 28.1.10
(EurActiv)
http://www.euractiv.com/
http://www.euractiv.com/en/financial-services/move-banking-calls-closer-eu-scrutiny/article-189296
Press Release: Judgment in Case C-304/08. Zentrale zur Bekämpfung unlauteren
Wettbewerbs eV v Plus Warenhandelsgesellschaft mbH
Allowing customers to take part in a lottery free of charge following a certain number of purchases
does not automatically constitute an unfair commercial practice. National law may not prohibit such
a promotional campaign without taking into account the specific circumstances of individual cases.
Press Release No. 2, 2010 (14.1.10)
(European Court of Justice: Press and Information Division)
http://curia.europa.eu/
http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2010-01/cp100002en.pdf
Press Release: EFSA confirms chicken meat major source of human cases of
campylobacteriosis
The Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in
December 2009, adopted an Opinion on the extent to which broiler (chicken) meat contributes to
human cases of campylobacteriosis. Experts conclude that the handling, preparation and
consumption of broiler meat may directly account for 20 to 30% of human cases of
campylobacteriosis in the European Union.
Press Release 28.1.10
(European Food Safety Authority)
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/biohaz100128.htm
The Community summary report on trends and sources of zoonoses and zoonotic agents and
food-borne outbreaks in the European Union in 2008
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and
Control (ECDC), in January 2010, published their Community Zoonoses Report for 2008, which
analyses the occurrence of infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The
report, which covers 15 zoonotic infections, also provides data on other zoonoses, such as
brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis and rabies, and the two parasitic zoonoses trichinellosis and
echinococcosis.
(European Food Safety Authority, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/scdocs/scdoc/1496.htm
Agriculture - Fisheries - Forestry
Dairy market situation
(United Kingdom: House of Commons: European Committee)
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/index.cfm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmgeneral/euro/100125/100125s01.htm
Transport - Communications – Tourism
Press Release: Commission sends reasoned opinions to four Member States for failing to
notify measures for the implementation of EU legislation ensuring technical harmonisation
and safety on EU inland waterways
The European Commission sent on 28 January 2010 reasoned opinions to United Kingdom, Poland,
Luxembourg and Germany for failing to notify measures for the implementation of EU legislation
aimed at ensuring technical harmonisation and safety on EU inland waterways. These four Member
States now have until 16 March 2010 to respond.
Press Release IP/10/96 (28.1.10)
(European Commission: DG Communication)
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/96&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Research and development - Science and technology
Women in science
For much of human history, women were officially excluded from the scientific realm. However, in
spite of their invisibility in the history narrative, this did not mean that science was exclusively a
man’s world. Many women, throughout the centuries, have managed to overcome their
marginalisation and excel in their chosen field, making vital contributions to the sum of human
knowledge. With this book the EU would like to celebrate European women scientists throughout
the ages. The book tells the compelling stories of some of the heroines of European science – some
sung but many unsung – and, through their narratives, it enriches and completes the history of
scientific knowledge by highlighting its female face.
(European Commission: DG Research)
http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=wisaudiobook
Education - Training -Culture
PISA 2009 Assessment Framework. Key Competencies in Reading, Mathematics and Science
This book presents the theory behind the development of the 2009 PISA survey. The re-worked and
expanded framework for reading literacy includes not only the assessment of reading and
understanding printed texts, but also an innovative component to assess how well students read,
navigate and understand electronic texts. Additionally, this publication provides the basis for
measuring mathematical and scientific competencies. Finally, it presents the theory behind the
questionnaires used to gather information from students, schools and parents on students’ home
backgrounds, students’ approaches to learning and school learning environments.
(Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)
http://www.oecd.org
http://www.oecdbookshop.org/oecd/get-it.asp?REF=9809101E.PDF&TYPE=browse
Press Release: A new Web portal for vocational education and training in the EU
Cedefop, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, has redesigned and
updated its Web pages. The new Web portal (please click on the Homepage URL to access it) has
been conceived primarily with the needs of policy-makers, researchers and social partners in mind,
but also aims to serve practitioners and interested European citizens.
The aim of the new Web portal is 'to provide easy access to vital information about vocational
education and training (VET) in Europe - especially, but not exclusively, Cedefop’s own work.' The
key themes are:
- Identifying skills needs
- Understanding qualifications
- Analysing VET policy
- Developing lifelong learning
Press Release 26.1.10
(European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training)
http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/
http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/Files/2010-01-26_Press_release_WEB_Portal_EN.pdf
External Relations
EU enlargement strategy
(United Kingdom: House of Commons: European Committee)
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/index.cfm
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmgeneral/euro/100126/100126s01.htm
Law
International comparison of publicly funded legal services and justice systems
Research exploring evidence to account for differences in public spending on providing access to
justice in the following countries: England and Wales, Australia, Canada, France, Germany,
Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden. The authors of the study are Roger Bowles and Amanda
Perry of the University of York, England.
Ministry of Justice Research Series No.14/09 (October 2009)
(United Kingdom: Ministry of Justice)
http://www.justice.gov.uk/
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/comparison-public-fund-legal-services-justice-systems.pdf