EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

ScotGov: Around £14.3m of EU funding is to be invested to support Scotland's tourism sector, sustainable public transport, develop SMEs, build links between research & business and provide training opportunities.
 
It includes cash from the European Regional Development Fund for VisitScotland to provide extra support to local tourism businesses & promote attractions, an award to East Ayrshire Council to complete 2,100sq m of small industrial units and cash to assist with the introduction of real time passenger information on bus services.
Press release
 
EU News: Human salmonellosis cases were reduced almost by half over a 5-year period, from 196,000 cases in 2004 to 108,000 cases in 2009, thanks to measures introduced by the EU a report confirms.
Press release
 
EU News: Since last week, all EU citizens have had access to information on the thousands of authorised pharmaceutical clinical trials that are underway in the EU.  The aim of this official public register is to make clinical research on pharmaceuticals more transparent for patients & others and to avoid unnecessary duplication of clinical trials.
Press release
 
EU News: Parliament backed a limited Treaty change to allow the establishment of the European Stability Mechanism in a vote last Wednesday, one day before the summit where EU Member States were expected to endorse this new tool.
Press release
 
EU News: New rules on consumer rights to protect online shoppers and boost consumer confidence in buying in other Member States were backed by Parliament last Thursday.  MEPs approved changes to the draft law, but decided to postpone their final position with a view to reaching an agreement with the Council.
 
The new EU law should cover almost all sales, whether made in a shop, by phone, by post or online, says Parliament.  It will update existing rules to take account of growth in internet sales and provide better protection for online shoppers.
Press release
 
EU News: Non EU-workers are set to enjoy the same rights regarding working conditions as EU nationals, under the proposed 'single permit' law directive adopted by Parliament last Thursday.  This draft law seeks to simplify procedures for both migrants & their employers, via a combined permit for residence & work.
 
National authorities of each country will still have the power to decide whether to admit non-EU workers and how many to admit.  But now they will issue residence permits that include information on permission to work. To avoid confusion, they must issue no additional documents. The UK & Ireland have opted out of this directive.  Denmark is also not taking part.
Press release
 
EU News: The primary aim of a Green Paper consultation, launched last week ( closes on 31 July 2011), is to obtain a facts-based picture of the existing situation in the EU on-line gambling market and of the different national regulatory models – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information.
Press release
 
EU News: The European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, has invited citizens, interest groups, and other organisations to submit comments on a draft statement of principles that should guide the conduct of EU civil servants – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information.
Press release
 
EU News: The European Commission has launched a public consultation (closes on 20 May 2011) to explore options for future EU action on Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information.
Press release
Facing the Future...find out more