The EU Commission wants to allow the cultivation of genetically engineered maize before the growing season 2017 starts. Three variants of transgenic maize producing insecticidal toxins, registered as MON810, Maize 1507 and Bt 11, are being considered. Monsanto, DuPont/Pioneer and Syngenta are pushing for the market introduction of the seeds. EU Member States are expected to vote on this issue on 9 December.
Research conducted by Testbiotech has shown that cows and their offspring stemming from cloned bulls are registered in a professional breeders database in the UK. It is likely that a considerable number of animals stemming from clones have already entered the EU. At present, the EU has no labelling or registration requirements for these kinds of imports, which makes it almost impossible to identify breeding material stemming from cloned bulls. The research was commissioned by the Greens/EFA Group in the EU Parliament.
Today the European Commission releases its report on the progress of the European Union's energy plans, the 'State of the Energy Union'. Greenpeace has criticised the EU's energy plans as inadequate to meet the challenge of climate change and the commitments made at the 2015 Paris climate conference.
UEAPME takes note of the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) package published today by the EU Commission, following the in-depth evaluation of the various existing directives in this field. UEAPME notably appreciates the specific guidance and support foreseen for micro and small companies to better implement existing rules instead of adding new legislation.
Commenting on the draft report by Adam Gierek MEP on the Energy Efficiency Directive review, Arianna Vitali, Senior Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office said: This is a deeply flawed draft report. It contains unworkable provisions which would be a disaster for citizens and the climate.
President Juncker and his Commission have today confirmed that the EU’s flagship nature laws – the Birds and Habitats Directives – will be saved and not rewritten and weakened, ending two years of uncertainty over the laws’ future. They have also called for a plan to better implement these laws.
Today, on European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD), the European Public Health Alliance and the European Patients Forum jointly call on the European Commission and national governments to step up the fight against drug-resistant infections in the follow-up EU Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance announced for 2017. The EU has a vital role to play in protecting health security in Europe and empowering patients to take action to stop superbugs.
The EU should rethink international trade deals that drive industrial farming, said Greenpeace, following the release of an EU report highlighting the negative impacts of several trade agreements on European farmers. Greenpeace warned that the blind promotion of trade in farming goods can have destructive consequences for the environment, farmers and consumers.