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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-03-02Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>CONTENTS / CONTENU
MIDDAY EXPRESSNews from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etbCommunication02/03/06[01] La Commission européenne intensifie les efforts pour mettre en ligne la «mémoire de l’Europe» via une bibliothèque numérique européenneLe plan de la Commission européenne visant promouvoir l’accès numérique au patrimoine de l’Europe prend forme rapidement. Dans les cinq prochaines années, au moins six millions de livres, documents et autres œuvres culturelles seront mis la disposition de toute personne disposant d’une connexion l’Internet, par l’intermédiaire de la «bibliothèque numérique européenne». Afin de stimuler les initiatives de numérisation européennes, la Commission va cofinancer la création d’un réseau paneuropéen de centres de numérisation. La Commission abordera également, dans une série de documents stratégiques, la question du cadre approprié adopter pour assurer la protection des droits de propriété intellectuelle dans le cadre des bibliothèques numériques.[02] Commission proposes concrete measures to deliver EU aid better and fasterIn three communications approved today, the Commission proposes concrete measures to improve the effectiveness of EU development aid and external assistance. These proposals follow-up on the EU’s commitments in 2005 to scale-up aid substantially and to improve its impact and its speed of delivery, in order to meet the challenges of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The Commission proposes an action plan including joint programming of assistance with Member States and sees the Union on track to deliver on its financial commitments.[03] Le secteur de l’élevage présente un code de bonnes pratiques pour la sélection et la reproduction des animaux d’élevage en EuropeLe secteur de l’élevage a élaboré un code de bonnes pratiques qui devrait assurer un maximum d’ouverture et de transparence sur les pratiques utilisées dans la sélection et la reproduction d’animaux d’élevage. Ce code, élaboré avec le soutien du programme-cadre de recherche européen, sera présenté aujourd’hui au Salon de l’agriculture de Paris, lors du lancement de la plateforme technologique pour la sélection et la reproduction durables des animaux d’élevage. L’objectif est que les entreprises d’élevage adoptent le code et obtiennent ainsi un certificat de conformité, ce qui permettra d’atteindre des niveaux élevés de santé et de bien-être des animaux dans des systèmes de production durables qui peuvent fournir des produits alimentaires sûrs et de haute qualité. Le code est disponible en vingt langues et sera mis jour régulièrement.[04]Safety of consumer products: Commission presents “Rapid Alert System” Report for 2005The number of dangerous products identified in the EU has risen sharply over the last year, according to the Report on the “Rapid Alert System” (RAPEX) for non-food consumer products published today by the Commission. Through RAPEX, national authorities notify to the Commission products presenting a serious risk for the health and safety of consumers, with the exception of food, pharmaceutical and medical products. Notifications almost doubled from 388 in 2004 to 701 in 2005. Close to 50% of the notifications concerned imported products. Out of all notifications, 25% referred to toys. Electrical appliances are also of serious concern. Enhanced participation from all EU Member States, joint efforts with and between national market surveillance and customs authorities, and co- operation with third countries are needed to help solve the problem. [05] Better regulation: Commission seeks expert advice to cut red tape on all levelsBetter regulation is essential to generate more growth and employment in Europe and to make life easier for enterprises and citizens. In order to drive this process forward the Commission has set up a new group of national regulatory experts who will advise the Commission on its general strategy to simplify and improve European legislation and to facilitate the development of better regulation measures at both national and EU level. The group will be an efficient interface between the Commission and key governmental authorities at the Member State level in order to assist the Commission in improving the regulatory environment for enterprises, industry, consumers, the social partners and citizens at large.[06] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit Ukraine 2-3 MarchEuropean Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will visit Ukraine on 2-3 March to meet President Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yekhanurov and Energy Minister Plachkov. She will also take part in the EU Troika ministerial meeting with Ukraine on 3rd March. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will welcome the progress in political and economic reforms over the past year, and the strengthening of EU-Ukraine relations since the adoption of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in February 2005. She will stress the importance of free and fair parliamentary elections, which will be a key element in opening new prospects for EU-Ukraine relations including for an enhanced agreement and urge further reform efforts. The Commissioner’s visit signals the European Commission’s continued support for Ukraine’s transition, and its hope that Ukraine will firmly continue on the path of reforms after the elections.[07] January 2006 compared to December 2005 - Industrial producer prices up by 1.2% in euro-zone -Up by 1.1% in EU25The euro-zone industrial producer price index rose by 1.2% in January 2006 compared with the previous month. In January 2006, EU25 prices rose by 1.1%. In December 20053 prices increased by 0.2% in the euro-zone and by 0.6% in the EU25. In January 2006 compared to January 2005, industrial producer prices rose by 5.3% in the euro-zone and by 7.1% in the EU25. These figures come from Eurostat[08] Commission clears acquisition of DCOH by EQTThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of DaimlerChrysler Off- Highway Business (DCOH), currently part of DaimlerChrysler AG of Germany by EQT IV Ltd (EQT) of the UK. EQT is a private equity group. DCOH produces diesel engines and related components for off-highway applications (marine, power generation, etc.) and drive shafts for motor vehicles. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[09] EU and the Caribbean: Commission proposes a new partnership for growth, stability and developmentThe European Commission has adopted today a proposal for a new EU Strategy for the Caribbean. The strategy promotes a strong partnership between the European Union and the Caribbean on development, the fight against poverty, democracy, human rights and global threats to peace, security and stability. The Commission wishes to shape a political partnership based on shared values to address the Caribbean region’s economic and environmental opportunities and promote social cohesion[10] Rédiffusion[11] Avian Influenza: Measures for Switzerland, Croatia and France agreedThe Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today endorsed a European Commission proposal to apply the same procedures in relation to the dispatch of live birds, poultry and poultry products from Switzerland as are applied to EU Member States affected by avian influenza in wild birds. A wild duck was found near Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) on 26 February and another one today near the Constance Lake (Bodensee). As Switzerland is applying the same rigorous measures as are laid out in the EU Decisions for avian influenza in wild birds (see <a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/180&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/06/180) and in poultry (<a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/79&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">MEMO/06/79), there is no need for further restrictions from the EU. The Swiss authorities have delineated protection and surveillance zones around the area of infection, from which live birds, poultry and poultry products will not be allowed to be exported or dispatched to other parts of the country or to the EU. In addition, stringent eradication and control measures are being applied in these zones. The Swiss authorities are cooperating closely with the Commission and are providing regular updates on the avian influenza situation. The Standing Committee also agreed today to extend the regionalised import ban already in place for Croatia (<a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1460&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/05/1460), to include the island of Čiovo, where the H5N1 virus was confirmed in a wild swan last week. In relation to France, the Commission has endorsed the measures put in place by the French authorities in response to the outbreak of avian influenza on a turkey farm last week. The Standing Committee agreed to add a break-down of the French communes which are covered by the protection, surveillance and buffer zones to the Annex of Decision 2006/135/EC laying down measures for avian influenza in poultry. The zones cover 319 communes surrounding the “Dombes” region where cases in wild birds have been detected and where the affected turkey farm was located. This list aims to provide legal certainty with regard to the areas where the eradication and control measures must be applied, and will enable trading partners to regionalise import bans they may impose as a result of the outbreak.In addition, the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health discussed the finding of a cat infected with the H5N1 virus in Germany and agreed the statement attached. (see MEMO/06/104) [12] Autre matériel diffuséSpeech by President José Manuel Barroso “Address to the Slovenian National Assembly” in LjubljanaQuestions & Answers: “The aid effectiveness package” The European Digital Library: Frequently Asked Questions Statement of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/ Midday Express: News from the EU Commission Spokesman's Briefings Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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