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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-08-01
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Reducing Salmonella: Commission sets EU targets for laying hens and
adopts new control rules
[02] Commission proposes to extend a scheme to fishing fleets in EU
outermost regions
[03] Competition : new report on car prices across Europe available
[04] Commission clears acquisition of Muehlstein by Ravago
[05] Commission clears acquisition of TFS by Platinum Equity
[06] Commission clears acquisition of Synbra Group by GIMA
[07] Commission clears acquisition of New CO by AXA REIM, AREA and RDC
[08] Juin 2006 - Chômage en baisse à 7,8% dans la zone euro - Baisse à 8,
1% dans l’UE25
[09] Autre materiel diffusé
[10] Questions and answer on Salmonella and other food borne diseases
Midday Express of 2006-08-01
Reference: MEX/06/0801
Date: 01/08/2006
EXME06 / 01.8
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
01/08/06
[01] Reducing Salmonella: Commission sets EU targets for laying hens and
adopts new control rules
The European Commission has today adopted two Regulations aimed at reducing
and controlling the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry and eggs across the
EU. The first Regulation lays down targets for the reduction of Salmonella
in laying hens, which in turn should lead to less Salmonella contamination
in eggs. Every Member State will have to work towards reducing the number
of laying hens infected with Salmonella by a specific minimum percentage
each year, with steeper targets for Member States with higher levels of
Salmonella. The first target deadline is set for 2008, although Member
States will have to submit national control programmes on Salmonella
reduction in laying hens to the Commission by early 2007. The second
Regulation adopted by the Commission today sets out rules on the methods
used to control Salmonella in poultry, including mandatory vaccination from
2008 onwards for laying hens in Member States with a Salmonella prevalence
of 10% or more. In addition to the 2 Regulations adopted today, the
Commission is also currently looking into the possibility of introducing a
trade ban on eggs from Salmonella infected flocks as soon as possible. This
is in light of the recent findings in the preliminary EFSA report on
Salmonella levels in laying hens . A Commission proposal for certain trade
restrictions has already been presented to Member States and the options
will be discussed further with national food safety experts in the autumn.
[02] Commission proposes to extend a scheme to fishing fleets in EU
outermost regions
The European Commission has today proposed to extend until 31 December 2006
a scheme allowing derogations from the general EU rules on the management
of fishing fleets and the granting of public aid for fleet modernisation
and renewal, in the Azores and Madeira, the Canary Islands and the French
departments of Guyana and Reunion. Special conditions for these regions are
necessary because of the importance of their fisheries sector combined with
their specific structural, social and economic situation
[03] Competition : new report on car prices across Europe available
This report is a service for consumers that the European Commission
publishes twice per year to help them to compare car prices across Europe
and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the EU Single Market.
This report covers the first half of 2006 and shows that price
differentials have remained stable. The report also confirms a longer-term
trend towards price convergence across the EU. During this period, car
prices increased on average less than the general inflation rate. The
report and its main highlights are available at
<a href="http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/car_sector/price_diffs/">http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/car_sector/price_diffs/
[04] Commission clears acquisition of Muehlstein by Ravago
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Ravago S.A (‘Ravago’,
Luxembourg) by Muehlstein Holding Corporation (‘Muehlstein’, USA).
Ravago deals with the distribution, recycling and compounding of polymers,
ancillary manufacture of some plastics and construction material and
distribution of construction materials mainly in Europe. Muehlstein is
active in the distribution and compounding of polymers in all major regions
worldwide with a focus on North and South America. The operation was
examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[05] Commission clears acquisition of TFS by Platinum Equity
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Fastening Systems Business
of Textron, Inc. (‘TFS’, USA) by Platinum Equity LLC (‘Platinum’,
USA). Platinum is a private equity firm specializing in acquisition of
companies with a broad range of business markets. TFS deals with fasteners
(such as nuts, bolts and screws), fastening systems and services. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[06] Commission clears acquisition of Synbra Group by GIMA
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Synbra Group B.V.
(‘Synbra’, The Netherlands) by GIMA B.V. (‘GIMA’, The Netherlands).
GIMA deals with investment. Synbra is a company that is active in the
manufacture and marketing of plastic products. The operation was examined
under the simplified merger review procedure.
[07] Commission clears acquisition of New CO by AXA REIM, AREA and RDC
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of New CO (‘New Co 2’,
Luxembourg) by AXA Real Estate Investment Managers France (‘AXA REIM’,
France), Apollo Real Estate Advisors (‘AREA’, US) and Rida Development
Corporation (‘RDC’, US). AXA REIM deals with financial protection by
offering insurance and related financial services. AREA is active in the
management of real estate investment funds. RDC takes care of the
development, construction and management of commercial property in Europe
and the United States. New Co 2 deals with the ownership and operation of
commercial retail properties in Poland. The operation was examined under
the simplified merger review procedure.
[08] Juin 2006 - Chômage en baisse à 7,8% dans la zone euro - Baisse à 8,
1% dans l’UE25
Le taux de chômage de la zone euro, corrigé des variations saisonnières,
s'est élevé à 7,8% en juin 2006 contre 7,9% en mai. Il était de
8,6% en juin 2005. Le taux de chômage de l’UE25 s'est élevé à 8,1% en
juin 2006, contre 8,2% en mai. Il était de 8,8% en juin 2005. En juin 2006,
les taux les plus bas ont été enregistrés aux Pays-Bas (3,8%), au
Danemark (3,9%), en Irlande (4,4%) et au Luxembourg (4,7%). Les taux de
chômage les plus élevés ont été observés en Pologne (16,0%), en
Slovaquie (15,1%), en Grèce (9,6% au quatrième trimestre 2005), en France
(8,7%) et à Malte (8,5%). Ces chiffres sont publiés par Eurostat.
[09] Autre materiel diffusé
[10] Questions and answer on Salmonella and other food borne diseases
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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