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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-11-20Midday 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 Communication Directorate General's midday briefingNouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb20/11/06[01] La Commission propose une interdiction totale du commerce des fourrures de chats et de chiens dans l'UELa Commission européenne a adopté aujourd'hui une proposition visant à interdire l'importation, l'exportation et la vente de fourrure de chat et chien dans l'Union européenne. Il a été démontré que des fourrures de chats et de chiens sont actuellement mises sur le marché de l'UE, sans être déclarées comme telles, ou présentées comme des fourrures synthétiques ou provenant d'autres animaux. Il semble que la grande majorité des fourrures de chats et de chiens sont importées de pays tiers, et en particulier de Chine, qui pratique l'élevage de ces animaux à cette fin. Bon nombre d'Etats membres ont adopté une législation spécifique pour interdire ces fourrures en réaction à la forte opposition des consommateurs européens face au commerce de fourrure de ces animaux. Ces interdictions décidées à l'échelon national n'étant pas uniformes, elles risquent d'entraîner une perturbation du marché intérieur. La proposition de règlement adoptée aujourd'hui répond aux préoccupations des citoyens de l'UE et met en place une stratégie harmonisée, interdisant toute forme de production, de commercialisation, d'importation et d'exportation de fourrures de chats et de chiens sur le territoire de l'UE. La proposition établit en outre un système d'échange d'informations sur les méthodes de détection des fourrures de chats et de chiens.[02] New worldwide test procedures for measuring emissions from trucks and busesTruck and bus manufacturers will be able to develop one family of engines for all major world markets, due to a new Global Technical Regulation (GTR), which was agreed at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) in Geneva. The regulation will enter into force within eight months and set harmonised standards for the exhaust emissions of lorries and buses. It creates a level playing field for manufacturers of heavy duty vehicles on a worldwide scale, given that all major industrialised countries (such as the China, Japan and the USA) have acceded to this GTR. Up to now, test cycles and methods of emissions measurement have varied significantly around the world. Last week the UN/ECE also adopted a second GTR on electronic On-Board Diagnostic systems for heavy duty vehicles (see IP/06/1568). The European Commission got a clear mandate from other EU- institutions to negotiate the agreement in Geneva.[03] 2007 guide prices for fisheries products : increases for fresh products but decreases for frozen onesToday, the European Commission adopted its annual proposal on next year's guide prices for fresh and frozen fisheries products, as well as the Community producer price for tuna for processing. The Commission proposes to raise guide prices for the majority of white fish species such as saithe and haddock by between 0.5% and 3%. However, there will be decreases of the same order for other white fish species, notably cod and spotted dogfish. The market for pelagic species was mixed during the reference period. The Commission is therefore proposing increases for herring (+3%), mackerel and anchovies (+2%), Spanish mackerel (+1.5%), and reductions for albacore (- 1.5%) and sardines (-2%). For most crustaceans there are small increases (0.5 to 2 %), with the exception of shrimps (-3%). For frozen products, the proposal reflects decreasing prices on the international markets. However, increased prices are proposed for Greenland halibut, prawns and Illex (between 1.5 and 3%). Finally, the Commission proposes to increase the Community producer price for tuna products by 1.5%. The Commission proposals are based on Member States' average market prices over the previous three years. Other important factors also taken into account include trends in production and market demand, the interests of consumers and the need to avoid withdrawals of fisheries products from the market. See website: <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/com06_83_en.htm">http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/press_corner/press_releases/com06_83_en.htm[04] Commission clears acquisition of Aon Warranty Group by Onex CorporationThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Aon Warranty Group of the US by Warrior Acquisition Corp., controlled by Onex Corporation of Canada. Onex Corporation is active in the acquisition, administration and divestment of undertakings in a wide range of markets. Aon Warranty Group is active in warranties for consumer goods, consumer credit insurance and other non-life insurance products. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[05] EU to request WTO consultations on India's import regime for spirits and winesThe European Commission will today request formal consultations with India in the WTO (under the Dispute Settlement Understating) regarding India's import regime for spirits and wines. This decision follows an investigation carried out in the framework of the European Union’s Trade Barriers Regulation (TBR) at the request of the European Spirits Organisation (CEPS) and the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV). A European Union Trade Barriers Regulation Investigation concluded that access to the potentially large Indian market for spirits and wines is severely restricted due to a high duty burden and restrictions on retail distribution in certain Indian States. The EU considers that these trade barriers are in clear breach of international trade rules. After having allowed India a considerable period of time to address the problem, the EU now hopes to use the WTO consultation process to arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution with India.[06] EU and Iraq launch negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation AgreementOn 20 November, the European Commission and the Iraqi government will open in Brussels the negotiations for a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the EU and Iraq. The negotiations will be launched by Commissioners Ferrero-Waldner and Mandelson, on behalf of the Commission, and by Barham Salih, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, on behalf of Iraq. The TCA will help to progressively strengthen the EU's relations with Iraq and integrate the country in the world economy.[07] EU welcomes solid results of Nairobi world climate conferenceThe European Union welcomes the solid progress made at the United Nations climate change conference which ended today in Nairobi. The meeting, the first ministerial conference on climate change held in sub-Saharan Africa, brought together the 189 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 166 Parties to the Convention's Kyoto Protocol. The Nairobi conference resulted in a series of decisions and new initiatives to support developing countries, which are the most vulnerable to climate change. These will help developing nations to adapt to climate change, thus reducing its adverse impacts, and will encourage more clean technology projects in Africa and other poorer regions. The conference gave added momentum to discussions on future global action to combat climate change which began last May. The 166 Parties to the Kyoto Protocol agreed on a comprehensive work plan for their talks on further commitments by developed countries for the period after 2012, when the Protocol's current emission targets expire. The conference carried out a first review of the Protocol and agreed to undertake a second review in 2008 as strongly requested by the EU.[08] Jacques Barrot leads high-level delegation to EU-India Aviation SummitThe European Union-India Aviation Summit, jointly organised by the European Commission and the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India, will take place in New Delhi on 23-24 November 2006. The Summit aims to enhance political and industrial co-operation between India and the EU in the aviation sector. India is one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets and of strategic importance to the EU and its industry. India is also taking a lead in market opening in Asia.[09] L'UE rencontre tout le continent africain à Tripoli, pour lancer un partenariat sur les migrations et le développementLa première conférence ministérielle sur les migrations et le développement entre l'UE et le continent africain aura lieu les 22 et 23 novembre à Tripoli. A cette occasion, l'UE et l'Afrique conviendront de travailler ensemble, dans un esprit de partenariat et de responsabilité partagée, à une gestion plus efficace des migrations profitant aux deux continents. Cette conférence doit être replacée dans le cadre de l'approche globale des migrations que l'Union européenne met actuellement en place. Elle vise à faire en sorte que les migrations servent les intérêts et les priorités des pays d'origine, de transit et de destination, ainsi que ceux des migrants eux-mêmes, en stimulant la création de partenariats avec les pays tiers et les organisations internationales et en rapprochant les différents domaines politiques qui ont un lien avec les migrations, comme la bonne gouvernance, les droits de l'homme et le développement. Le vice-président de la Commission européenne, M. Franco Frattini, chargé de la justice, de la liberté et de la sécurité, et M. Louis Michel, Commissaire chargé de la politique de développement et de l'aide humanitaire, y participeront.[10] Fifth European Tourism Forum in CyprusThe fifth European Tourism Forum took place in Limassol, Cyprus, on 16/17 November 2006 organized by the Cyprus government in cooperation with the Finnish Presidency and the European Commission and with the active involvement of public and private sector stakeholders. The Forum discussed the new opportunities offered in the tourism industry (<a href="http://www.etfcyprus2006.com.cy">www.etfcyprus2006.com.cy). The focus was on new technologies, instruments, innovative partnerships and new market trends. The final summary report confirms the approach taken by the Commission in its Communication 'A Renewed EU Tourism Policy Towards a Stronger Partnership for European Tourism' approved in March 2006. Vice- President and Commissioner responsible for Enterprises and Industry Günter Verheugen addressed participants through a video message in which he reaffirmed the Commission's determination to support the competitiveness of European tourism by mainstreaming its wide range of policy instruments and working with all stakeholders in identifying and exchanging good practices at European level. He emphasized that sustainable tourism is crucial for the preservation and enhancement of Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. The next European Tourism Forum will now be held in Portugal, under the Portuguese Presidency, in October 2007.[11] Science, Technology and Innovation in the EU25, 2004 : in 2004, high- tech goods accounted for around 20% of EU25 imports and exports ; equivalent of two million full time jobs in R&DThe latest panorama of Science, Technology and Innovation in Europe, published by Eurostat, reports on where the EU stood in 2004, and how its position has evolved in recent years. The publication covers a wide range of Research & Development (R&D) data, including R&D expenditure, R&D personnel, patents, venture capital, high-tech external trade and other indicators related to high-tech and knowledge intensive sectors of the economy. The tables presented in this news release can only hint at the diversity of the data presented in the publication.[12] Autre matériel diffuséQuestions and answers on the proposal to ban cat and dog fur in the EUOpening speech by President José Manuel Barroso of the External Energy Conference Opening address by Benita Ferrero-Waldner of Conference 'Towards an EU external energy policy to assure a high level of supply security' Speech by Siim Kallas at hearing in the presence of Members of the European Court of Auditors on 2005 budget discharge to the European Parliament's Committee of Budgetary Control (! embargo 15h00 !) Speech by Charlie McCreevy : "Current issues in financial services: investment fund policy" at SFE Industry Lunch (Edinburgh, ! embargo 13h30 !) Speech by Vladimir Špidla at the Berliner Konferenz 'Europa eine Seele geben' (18/11, Berlin) Speech by President José Manuel Barroso : "A Soul for Europe" (17/11,
Berlin)
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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