EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

EU News: The European Commission has announced that it will launch a review of how it supports European companies in the face of unfair competition from across the globe.  

The EU uses its so-called 'Trade Defence Instruments' to counter the dumping of under-priced products on its markets, re-establish a level playing field for its businesses in the face of unfair subsidies and ensure healthy competition through safeguards, in the event of sudden shifts in trade flows. The European Commission aims to deliver its reform proposal in Autumn 2012. .
Press release & links
 
EU News: Two independent reports evaluating the European Union's legislation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) conclude that there is broad support for the legislation's objectives and show that recent legislative Commission initiatives are heading in the right direction. 

The documents also noted that some adjustments are necessary if we are to meet the objectives of the legislation (the protection of health & the environment & the creation of an internal market) and to ensure that the legislation is properly implemented.
Press release & links
 
FSA: The European Union (EU) has extended the ban on selected Egyptian seeds & beans, which was imposed following the deadly E.coli outbreaks in Europe earlier this year. The European Commission has extended the ban until 31 March 2012, due to the inefficiency of the procedures taken by Egyptian authorities to ensure the integrity of grain and plant exports., .
Press release & links
 
EU News: The European Commission has adopted ‘a recommendation asking EU Member States to ‘step up their efforts, pool their resources and involve the private sector in digitising cultural material’.
 
The recommendation challenges Member States to develop solid plans and build partnerships to place 3m objects in Europeana by 2015 compared to the 19m available today; to get more in-copyright & out-of-commerce material online; and to adapt national legislation & strategies to ensure the long-term preservation of digital materials.
Press release & links
 
EU: The European Investment Bank has agreed to support ambitious investment of £400m by United Utilities that will improve water supply & wastewater management that take account of predicted climate change and demographic developments.
Press release & links
 
EU News: An EU funded project which has developed a long-term solution to Internet traffic congestion has just received a prize at Future Internet Week in Poznan, Poland. The TRILOGY project received the Future Internet Award for its outstanding contribution to the Internet architecture & protocols, which could help provide Europeans with faster, more reliable Internet connections.
Press release & links
 
EU News: A study published recently shows that the economic benefits arising from the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations in the World Trade Organisation amount to an increaseof world exports of $359bn on an annual basis – See ‘In the News’ Section for more information.
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