EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
WAG: The impact jelly fish can have on the economy and tourism is to be the focus of a new Welsh – Irish project that has been granted EU funding. Swansea and Cork Universities are joining forces for the Ecojel project, which will research how factors such as climate change and over-fishing are causing jellyfish to thrive and the repercussions this may have on the cross border economy.
The scheme is the first to be approved under the EU’s Ireland/Wales programme and it will receive £575,000 through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Using the latest technology, the project will tag jellyfish to explore the effect increased populations are having on tourism, aquaculture and fisheries.
Press release ~ WAG – Environment and the countryside ~ Jellyfish attack wipes out salmon farm ~ How do you tackle an invasion of giant jellyfish? Try making sushi ~ EU’s Ireland/Wales programme ~ European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Defra: Defra has announced that Chinese restrictions on the import of UK livestock and livestock products to China have been lifted. The foot and mouth disease related restrictions have been in place since the August 2007 outbreak in Surrey.
The Chinese announcement provides an exclusion window of 7 July 2007 to 7 August 2008. UK products manufactured outside of these dates can be exported to China where agreed export certification exists. Health Certificates are being made available for export to China of breeding pigs, sheep skins, cattle hides, greasy wool and dairy products.
Press release ~ China's Ministry of Agriculture and Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) ~ OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) ~ Obtain export health certificates from Animal Health Offices ~ Defra – Foot & Mouth ~ Defra – International trade
DSA: Legislation regarding the use of heavier vehicles for driving tests has been delayed until September 30, 2013. British Ministers have decided to take up this option to allow driving test candidates to continue to use vehicles that meet current weight standards until that date.
In 2000 the European Commission introduced revised minimum standards for vehicles used for practical driving tests - commonly known as Minimum Test Vehicles (MTVs). One requirement is that vehicles used for test must meet a minimum 'real weight' requirement on the day that they present for test. In some cases this may involve a load being carried on the vehicle to meet the weight requirement.
Member States were originally required to implement this part of the Directive by October 11, 2010. Following representations by Member States, the legislation was amended under the comitology procedure (a form of delegated decision-making) so as to require implementation by 2013.
Defra: Organisations can now apply to become Primary Participants in the UK's auctions for Phase II of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Primary Participants can bid directly for allowances and will act as intermediaries in the competitive element of the auctions, collecting and submitting bids on behalf of indirect bidders who wish to take part in the auction.
Any organisation with an EU ETS registry account can apply to become a Primary Participant, providing their organisation can fulfil the eligibility criteria. Anyone who holds an EU ETS registry account can then bid for carbon allowances in an auction through the Primary Participants.
