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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-01-08Midday 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 Communicationb08/01/08[01] Animal Welfare: Commission report confirms the potential benefits of banning conventional battery cages for laying hensThere is substantial evidence that banning the use of conventional battery cages for laying hens could considerably improve the health and welfare of these birds, according to a report published by the Commission today. An EU ban on conventional battery cages is due to enter into force from 2012, in line with Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for laying hens, and the report concludes that the 2012 deadline should be maintained. Today's report details a number of independent scientific and socio-economic studies which lend support to this measure by outlining the clear benefits of changing to so-called 'enriched' cages or alternative (free range or barn) rearing systems for laying hens. The report also lists a number of recommended actions for the period leading up to the ban, including campaigns to promote public awareness of the way hens are reared, in order to provide competitive opportunities for EU producers.[02] Comptabilité: la Commission adopte un mécanisme d’équivalence pour les normes comptables de pays tiersM. Charlie McCreevy, membre de la Commission chargé du marché intérieur et des services, a salué l’adoption par la Commission d’un règlement de grande importance le 21 décembre 2007, suite à un avis favorable du Parlement européen. Sur la base de ce règlement, il sera possible de prendre des décisions quant à l’équivalence de principes comptables de pays tiers avec les normes comptables IFRS adoptées par l’UE.[03] Commission clears acquisition of TSMB by TDFThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of T-Systems Media & Broadcast GmbH (TSMB) of Germany by TDF SAS (TDF) of France. TDF: provides over-the-air and wireless B2B services to broadcasters and telecom operators, and owns and operates terrestrial infrastructure used for the transmission of TV, radio and telecom signals. TSMB provides analogue and digital TV and radio broadcasting services in Germany. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[04] Commission clears acquisition of AS Lathouwers by Lion CapitalThe European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Amerikaanse Stockhuizen Lathouwers NV (AS Lathouwers) of Belgium by Lion Capital LLP (Lion Capital) of the UK. Lion Capital is a capital investment company. AS Lathouwers is active in retail sales of outdoor goods. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.[05] Volume of retail trade down by 0.5% in euro areaIn November 2007, compared with October 2007, the volume of retail trade fell by 0.5% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.2% in the EU27. In October retail trade fell by 0.7% and 0.4% respectively. In November 2007, compared with November 2006, the retail sales index fell by 1.4% in the euro area, but rose by 0.9% in the EU27. These first estimates come from Eurostat.[06] Rediffusion[07] EU makes substantial contribution to UN's relief effort in KyrgyzstanThe European Union is providing urgent shelter assistance to Kyrgyzstan through the EC Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC), which is responsible for the mobilisation and coordination of EU Member States' civil protection assistance in the event of major emergencies. A request for assistance circulated by the MIC on 3 January 2008 triggered generous reactions from States participating in the Community Civil Protection Mechanism. Help was forthcoming in particular from Sweden, Austria, Slovakia and Bulgaria.[08] Close to 3/4 of all payments by Cypriot and Maltese citizens now in euroThe euro changeover has proved to be a success in Cyprus and Malta in the first week of January. The changeover of all cash and non-cash transactions to the euro appears to be going swiftly and without noteworthy problems. After only a few days, the euro had already largely replaced the Cyprus pound and the Maltese lira in people's wallets and purses. On 5 January, almost three out of four cash payments in shops were made in euro. While there were some queues in banks and shops on the first days of the new year and after a busy first week which also included the start of the winter sales in Malta, the situation seems to be progressively getting back to normal.Autre matériel diffusé • Memo on Italy: Operational Programme for the Italian fisheries and aquaculture sector (Programma Operativo FEP per il settore pesca in Italia) co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund • Memo on Romania: Operational Programme for Fisheries 2007 – 2013 (Program operaţional pentru pescuit) co-funded by the European Fisheries fund • Memo on Estonia: Operational Programme for the Estonian Fisheries Industry (Euroopa Kalandusfondi rakenduskava Eestis 2007-2013) co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund • Memo on Portugal: Operational Programme for the Portuguese Fisheries
Industry (Programa Operacional Pesca 2007-2013) co-funded by the European
Fisheries Fund
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 |