European Union News - April 2008

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the functioning of the Insurance Block Exemption Regulation (BER).

The European Commission have published a proposal for a council decsion on migration from the Schengen Information System (SIS 1+) to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) including the objective of establishing the legal framework governing the migration from the Schengen Information System in its current form (SIS 1+) to the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II). This will include a comprehensive test, with a view to demonstrating, in particular, that the level of performance of SIS II is at least equivalent to that achieved with SIS 1+.

The European Commission (EC) has released information from European institutions and bodies regarding the Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty Cases where the Commission raises no objections (2008/C 97/02). The Forestry Grant Aid - improving Habitat Networks Locational Supplement aid scheme will provide aid to the foestry sector in Wales in the form of direct grants. Authorities will dispose of a budget of 1,40 million Pounds.

The European Commission (EC) has released information from European institutions and bodies regarding the Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty Cases where the Commission raises no objections (2008/C 97/01). One aid scheme focused on was the TSE testing for sheep and goats for human consumption scheme.

The number of dangerous products removed from the EU market rose by 53% in 2007 compared to in 2006, the Commission's annual report on the Rapid Alert System (RAPEX) reveals today. This rise from 1 051 notifications in 2006 to 1 605 last year shows that Member States' surveillance capacities are improving year on year

Results of Flash Eurobarometer survey on Data Protection that was conducted in January 2008 have been published. Previous waves of the survey had been performed three times before, in 1991, 1996 and 2003. Fieldwork was carried out from January 8th to 12th, 2008. Over 27,000 randomly selected citizens aged 15 years and over were interviewed in the 27 EU Member States.

The European Commission has opened a detailed investigation under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition of certain parts of GBI of The Netherlands by the UK-based company Associated British Foods (ABF). Both companies produce dry, compressed and liquid baker's yeast.

The European Commission have published their preliminary amending fourth budget of the general budget 2008. The plan communication COM(2008) 203 final was published on the 15th April 2008.

On the 17th April 2008 the European Commission published in the OJ (Official Journal of the European Union) Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 1(2) in Part I of Protocol 3 to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice on State aid with regard to the Norwegian support scheme for alternative, renewable heating and electricity saving measures in private households (2008/C 96/04).

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on possible changes to the Capital Requirements Directive (2006/48/EC and 2006/49/EC). The purpose of this consultation is to collect comments of the industry and other stakeholders on these modifications. The Commission is also conducting an impact assessment related to the modification of certain provisions. Stakeholders are invited to give the Commission their views on the issues by 16 June 2008.

The European Commission (EC) have published a report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliment concering Progress in creating the internal gas and electricity market [SEC(2008) 460]. The report  which was approved on the 15th April 2008 was published on the 17th April 2008 in the OJ (Official Journal of the European Union).

The EC has publsihed notices from various member states including Information communicated by Member States regarding State aid granted under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1857/2006 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to State aid to small and medium-sized enterprises active in the production of agricultural products (2008/C 97/05). One of the aid schemes that  was focused on was the "Fondo per lo sviluppo della meccanizzazione in agricoltura" to come out of the Marche region of Italy.