EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

ScotGov: The decision to exclude Scotland from last week's crucial talks on European fisheries policy in favour of an unelected member of the House of Lords acquired added significance, according to Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead. Mr Lochhead had asked to attend the informal talks in Vigo, Spain, but was refused permission by UK Secretary of State, Hilary Benn. 
 
Since then, the situation has escalated after it was confirmed that the agenda has now been expanded to consider some items that had been due to be discussed at the formal Agri-Fish Council in Luxembourg on 19 April, at which Mr Lochhead was due to attend.  

That meeting was cancelled due to travel disruption caused by volcanic ash and the presentation of a report on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy which is crucially important to Scotland, was discussed in Vigo instead.
Press release ~ Informal Fisheries Council in Vigo on May 4-5 ~ Synthesis report on the Consultation on CFP Reform
 
Newswire – CBI: The CBI, the UK’s leading business group, commented on the outcome of last week's vote on the Industrial Emissions Directive in the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in Brussels.

Following the outcome of the vote, it is proposed that energy generators be given until the 30 June 2019 to upgrade power plants to comply with air pollution targets, or face closure.  The CBI argues that energy generators need until 2021 to comply with the Directive to give them enough time to build other low-carbon energy sources to replace lost capacity.
 
The CBI also rejects the proposal to replace the current flexible risk-based approach to monitoring industrial emissions with a one-size-fits-all European Safety Net.  

It argues this will undermine the flexibility of member states to decide how best to meet air pollution targets.  Negotiations will now take place between the Council & European Parliament, before the Directive is due to be voted on in a plenary session in Strasbourg in July.
Press release ~ Draft EU Industrial Emissions Directive ~ EU Commission - Environment
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story