20-02-2017 09:12 AM CET
This
study analyses the political and legal dynamics behind referendums on
EU-related matters. It was commissioned by the European Parliament’s
Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the
request of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European
Parliament. It
It argues that we have entered a period of increasing political uncertainty with regard to the European
project and that this new political configuration will both affect and be affected by the politics of EU-related referendums.
Such
referendums have long been a risky endeavour and this has been
accentuated in the wake of the Great Recession with its negative
ramifications for public opinion in the European Union. It is clear that
referendums on EU matters are here to stay and will continue to be
central to the EU's future as they are deployed to determine the number
of Member States within the EU, its geographical reach, its
constitutional evolution and adherence to EU policies. Only now they
have become an even riskier endeavour.
Further information
Study: Referendums on EU Matters
Study: Referendums on EU Matters
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20-02-2017 10:10 AM CET
The
paper provides an overview of the current set-up of tools contributing
to the funding of the EU's external policies. The focus is on recently
established instruments, such as blending of grants and loans, trust
funds and the Facility for refugees in Turkey. The paper provides a
first assessment of the current and envisaged set-up of tools with
regard to their added-value, coherence, flexibility and simplification,
and democratic oversight of EU funding for external action.
This study was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets.
Further information
Link to the study
Link to the study
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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20-02-2017 12:29 PM CET
The
European Parliament has adopted a set of three resolutions exploring
the future development of the European Union. One of the rapporteurs,
Elmar Brok, urges the EU to take full advantage of the Treaty of Lisbon,
whose political potential has not yet been fully tapped. The EU should
move towards more transparency for instance and a common defence policy.
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20-02-2017 01:23 PM CET
General
: How well do you know Europe? Find out by taking part in our winter
challenge! See how many European capitals you can identify correctly.Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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20-02-2017 11:58 AM CET
As
international trade negotiators or regulatory bodies consider options
to reconcile regulatory standards to reduce barriers to trade, concerns
may arise that such efforts at harmonization, mutual recognition or
other modes of regulatory cooperation might weaken regulatory
protections.
In this context, one viewpoint is that European
regulatory standards have become more protective - more stringent and
precautionary - than US regulatory standards, so that converging might
weaken European standards (although "harmonizing up" to higher standards
is also possible). But the real pattern of regulation is more complex.
Precautionary policies have been pursued on both sides of the Atlantic,
in both directions (sometimes greater European precaution, sometimes
greater US precaution), and cost-benefit analysis of regulation has been
employed on both sides as well. A key problem in claims of greater
precaution is sample selection bias: citing prominent examples that draw
media attention but that do not actually represent a general pattern or
trend. This report summarizes the literature, and offers a descriptive
transatlantic comparison of regulatory standards in four key sectors
food, automobiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Further information
Text of the study "Free Trade Agreements and Patterns of Risk Regulation in the EU and the US"
Text of the study "Free Trade Agreements and Patterns of Risk Regulation in the EU and the US"
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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20-02-2017 12:14 PM CET
As
part of its eCommerce package, the EC presented on 25.05.16 a proposal
for a regulation on addressing geo-blocking and other forms of
discrimination based on customers' nationality, place of residence or
place of establishment. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure that
customers have the same access to goods and services as local customers.
The Regulation builds upon the provisions of the Services Directive
(Art 20), which already establishes the principle for
non-discrimination,
but has proven difficult to
enforce in practice due to legal uncertainty concerning what practices
would or not be considered justified.
The regulation seeks to provide more legal certainty and enforceability by defining specific situations when there can be no justified reason for discrimination on the grounds of nationality/residence. It also bans the blocking of access to websites and the use of automatic re-routing without the customer's prior consent; and includes provisions of non-discrimination within accepted payment means.
Council adopted its negotiating mandate in November 2016. Parliament, led by IMCO, is currently going through its first reading.
Rapporteur: R. Thun Und Hohenstein (EPP)
Shadows: V. Rozière (S&D), A. Van Bossuyt (ECR), D. Charanzová (ALDE), D. De Jong (GUE/NGL), J. Reda (Greens/ALE)
JURI Rapporteur (rule 54): L. J. Geringer De Oedenberg (S&D)
The regulation seeks to provide more legal certainty and enforceability by defining specific situations when there can be no justified reason for discrimination on the grounds of nationality/residence. It also bans the blocking of access to websites and the use of automatic re-routing without the customer's prior consent; and includes provisions of non-discrimination within accepted payment means.
Council adopted its negotiating mandate in November 2016. Parliament, led by IMCO, is currently going through its first reading.
Rapporteur: R. Thun Und Hohenstein (EPP)
Shadows: V. Rozière (S&D), A. Van Bossuyt (ECR), D. Charanzová (ALDE), D. De Jong (GUE/NGL), J. Reda (Greens/ALE)
JURI Rapporteur (rule 54): L. J. Geringer De Oedenberg (S&D)
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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20-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
Blockchain
technology is of increasing interest to citizens, businesses and
legislators across the European Union. This report is aimed at providing
a point of entry for those curious about blockchain technology, so as
to stimulate interest and provoke discussion around its potential
impact. A general introduction is followed by a closer look at eight
areas in which blockchain has been described as having a substantial
potential impact. For each of these, an explanation is given of how the
technology could be developed in that particular area, the possible
impacts this development might have, and what potential policy issues
are to be anticipated.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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20-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
The
study was requested by the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal
Affairs and commissioned, overseen and published by the Policy
Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs. Social
enterprises (SE) are subject to ad hoc legislation in an increasing
number of EU jurisdictions and legislative initiatives in this field are
under consideration by EU institutions. This paper explains why
tailor-made legislation on SE is essential for the development of this
unconventional form of business organization. It describes and compares
existing models of SE regulation and discusses the core elements of an
SE’s legal identity, with the aim of providing recommendations on the
potential forms and contents of an EU legal statute on this subject.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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20-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
The
Commission proposal for a directive on contracts for online and other
distance sales of goods, part of the digital single market strategy,
would partly replace the existing Consumer Sales Directive. The
Parliament's rapporteur believes this would create a fragmented legal
framework, and that there is a need to introduce uniform rules for both
online and face-to-face consumer sales. Unlike the existing Consumer
Sales Directive, the proposed Online Sale of Goods Directive would
provide for maximum harmonisation, thereby prohibiting Member States
from introducing a higher level of consumer protection within the scope
of the directive. The rapporteur agrees with this approach and suggests
moving to maximum harmonisation for both online and offline consumer
sales. Second edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are
updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. To view
previous versions of this briefing, please see: PE 577.962, 15 February
2016.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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21-02-2017 08:25 PM CET
WORKING
DOCUMENT on ECA Special Report 34/2016 (2016 Discharge): Combating Food
Waste: an opportunity for the EU to improve the resource-efficiency of
the food supply chain
Committee on Budgetary Control
Tomáš Zdechovský
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Committee on Budgetary Control
Tomáš Zdechovský
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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22-02-2017 05:10 AM CET
Commission response
See question(s) : E-007106/2016
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP
See question(s) : E-007106/2016
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP
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Plenary
sessions : Although fast and effective for plant growth, chemicals
pesticides entail potential risks for human health, animals and the
environment. About 45% of food we consume contains pesticide residues
with 1.6% exceeding legal limits, according to the European Food Safety
Authority. MEPs want to promote the use of more natural pesticides and
to simplify and speed up the approval process. Check our video for more
information.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
21-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
Although
waste management in the EU has improved considerably in recent decades,
over a quarter of municipal waste is still landfilled and less than
half is recycled or composted, with wide variations between Member
States. Improving waste management could deliver positive effects for
the environment, climate, human health and the economy. As part of a
shift towards a circular economy, the European Commission made four
legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding
reuse, recycling and landfilling, strengthening provisions on waste
prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamlining
definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.
This updates an earlier edition, of September 2016; PE 589.797.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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21-02-2017 12:00 AM CET
The
cattle sector is of great economic importance within the EU
agricultural sector. Productivity of the sector is very heterogeneous.
In the near future, a further increase in milk and bovine meat supply
can be expected. To avoid a decline in farm gate prices, further product
differentiation at the EU level, an increase in export opportunities as
well as compensation for environmental services to support
extensification will be needed.
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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22-02-2017 09:00 AM CET
Plenary
sessions : Although fast and effective for plant growth, chemicals
pesticides entail potential risks for human health, animals and the
environment. About 45% of food we consume contains pesticide residues
with 1.6% exceeding legal limits, according to the European Food Safety
Authority. MEPs want to promote the use of more natural pesticides and
to simplify and speed up the approval process. Check our video for more
information.Source : © European Union, 2017 - EP
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