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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 00-04-05
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Spokesman's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi du Service Presse et Communicationb
05/04/2000
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Severe loss of ozone in the Arctic confirmed through EU/US research
project
[02] EU Member States adopt testing scheme to monitor and survey BSE
[03] Günter Verheugen in the US, 4-6 April 2000
[04] Pascal Lamy hosts 'Internet Chat' on prospects for New WTO Round
[01] Severe loss of ozone in the Arctic confirmed through EU/US research
project
Ozone losses of over 60% have occurred in the Arctic stratosphere near 18km
altitude during one of the coldest stratospheric winters on record. These
losses are likely to affect the ozone levels over Europe during spring.
This is one of the most substantial ozone losses at this altitude in the
Arctic. Measurements from the largest international campaign ever
investigating stratospheric ozone depletion have provided more insight into
the processes that control stratospheric ozone. They have also reinforced
concerns that the Arctic ozone may continue to decline despite the benefits
of reductions in stratospheric chlorine levels (a result of the Montreal
Protocol of 1987), due to the global climate change. Research Commissioner
Philippe Busquin points out that "European researchers cooperating on equal
footing with an American team demonstrates how important it is for Europe
to create a European Research Area where the best European scientists
collaborate in a network. This project will provide decision makers with a
sound base to judge the effects of ozone depletion on the environment and
on citizen's health".
[02] EU Member States adopt testing scheme to monitor and survey BSE
The Standing Veterinary Committee has today agreed to the European
Commission's proposal to reinforce the epidemic surveillance of BSE in
cattle by introducing a monitoring programme from 1st January 2001, through
rapid post mortem tests. The Member States agreed to carry out annual
monitoring programmes on a targeted sample of animals, with a particular
focus on animals which die on farms, sick animals slaughtered as
emergencies and animals displaying behavioural or neurological signs.
Around 65000 tests will be carried out amongst the cattle population most
at risk. The test results should provide more accurate picture of the
incidence of BSE in the EU and of the patterns of infectivity.
[03] Günter Verheugen in the US, 4-6 April 2000
The European Commissioner in charge of enlargement, Günter Verheugen, will
be in the United States from 4 to 6 April to inform the US authorities,
members of the Congress and the public on the state of play of the EU's
enlargement process. Mr Verheugen's programme includes meetings with
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, representatives of the US
administration and Ben Gilman, Chairman of the International Relations
Committee of the House of Representatives. Mr Verheugen will also deliver
speeches in Washington and Chicago.
[04] Pascal Lamy hosts 'Internet Chat' on prospects for New WTO Round
European Commissioner for Trade Pascal Lamy will host an 'Internet Chat'
today on the prospects for the launch of a New WTO Round of multilateral
trade negotiations. Mr Lamy has made clear that he remains "firmly commited
to relaunching negotiations at the earliest available opportunity". The
chat will provide the opportunity to ask him why, to raise the various
important issues that need to be addressed in the context of Round and to
be updated on the work the Commission has undertaken in the months since
Seattle to get the WTO process back on track. The chat will take place
between 6pm and 8pm CET. It will be conducted in four languages (French,
English, German and Spanish). The address to participate in the chat is
http://chat.europa.eu.int/chatapplet/chat.html. Questions can be sent in
advance to the following e-mail address : Chat-Lamy@cec.eu.int. Further
background information is available on the Commission web-site at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/chat/lamy2/index_en.htm
MIDDAY EXPRESS
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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