European Union News - 29 September 2009

The European Commission has adopted a new exemption regulation that will enter into force on 25 April 2010. It renewes for 5 more years the existing exemptions from the ban on restrictive business practices for shipping consortia liner. This exemption allows for cooperation between companies so that they can provide a joint service in freight.

A total of € 214.6 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of non-compliance with EU rules or inadequate control procedures on agricultural expenditure.

After a year of work, the European Foresight Expert Group 'The World in 2025' has now presented their findings at conference in Brussels on 24 September. Meeting the challenges of the near future, they write in a new report, may mean moving towards a new production and consumption model, new rural-urban dynamics, and a new gender and intergenerational balance.

The European Commission recently adopted a Communication on a European Partnership for Action Against Cancer to support EU countries in their efforts to tackle the disease. The partnership covers the period 2009-2013 and provides a framework for sharing information as well as capacity and expertise in cancer prevention and control. It aims to engage all relevant stakeholders across the European Union in a collective effort to fight cancer.

The Commission has issued a new call for proposals under  MEDIA 2007 programme to support the European audiovisual sector. The convocation, with a budget of 12.25 million, aims to foster linkages between sectors of production and distribution.