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EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
EU News: The European Commission has released its yearly financial report, which presents detailed information on what the EU money was spent on & how was it managed.
Press release & links
EU News: Only 2 out of 9 social networking sites (Habbo Hotel & Xbox Live) have default settings which make minors' personal profiles accessible only to their approved list of contacts according to a new round of tests undertaken for the European Commission. The Commission is reviewing protection of minors online from such risks as grooming & cyber-bullying as part of the objective set by the Digital Agenda for Europe.
In the other 7 websites tested results showed that a considerable amount of personal information - including information added by users after registration - was displayed by default to users beyond the minor's approved contacts list. This information did not necessarily lead to immediate identification of minors, but could do so.
Press release & links
Defra: Food labelling will be clearer, simpler & more honest following heavy lobbying in Europe by the
* The country of origin of fresh & frozen meat
* If any of the main ingredients in foods claiming British origin are actually imported
* If there is more than 5% water content in cuts of meat such as bacon
Press release & links
EU News: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed the first stage of a major piece of work that will provide the scientific basis for the modernisation of meat inspection across the EU. The first set covers the inspection of swine and was published last week.
The 5 remaining sets of Opinions & reports will cover poultry; bovine animals over 6 weeks old; bovine animals under 6 weeks old; domestic sheep & goats; farmed game & domestic solipeds.
Press release & links
EU News: Have you been tempted by a cheaper online offer from another EU country but wondering how reliable it is to shop from abroad? 'Mystery shoppers' from the EU-supported European Consumer Centres' Network have checked just that. Their report (State of the e-Union) shows the results of 305 purchases in 28 countries.
The Commission wants to table a legislative proposal which will allow consumers shopping online from an EU country to solve their disputes with traders based in another EU country, entirely online as an alternative to going to court. This is expected before the end of 2011.
Press release & links
EU News: In almost all European countries, gross basic salaries for teachers entering the profession are lower than national GDP per capita - and their pay will not even double over the course of their working lifetime, except in a handful of Member States. These are the main findings of a report which compares the salaries of public-sector teachers and school heads in 27 EU Member States, Iceland, , and .
Press release & links
EU News: The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted an opinion last week on the European Commission proposal to revise the EU legislation on tachographs - the device used in road transport to monitor driving times & rest periods of professional drivers - as a means of checking compliance with social legislation in the field.
Press release & links
EU News: The European Commission has launched 2 public consultations related to access for alternative operators to the fixed telephone & broadband networks of established operators – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information.
DWP: The European Commission has adopted a draft legislative package which will frame cohesion policy for 2014-2020.
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