European Union News - 31 August 2011

The final assessment of the 6th Community Environment Action Programme (EAP) adopted by the Commission shows the accomplishments in the field of environment during the past ten years with examples as the extension of the Natura 2000 network or the introduction of a comprehensive chemicals policy. However this assessment also shows the need of progressing in implementing agreed EU objectives and rules.

The European Commission adopted a proposal providing the legal framework for the introduction of an electronic identification system (EID) for bovine animals on a voluntary basis. In addition, the the proposal introduces changes in relation to labelling, by repealing the current provisions on voluntary beef labelling. The main objective is to reduce unnecessary administrative burden.

The Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) declined by 5.0 points to 97.3 in the EU and by 4.7 points to 98.3 in the euro area. This was produced due to losses in confidence which is particularly marked in services, retail trade and among consumers.

The White Paper on the "Relationship between Museums and Municipalities in Europe" presented by the Commission, underscores the synergies and differences relating to the analysis of the museums’ missions and to the shared expectations of museums and municipalities. The paper has been written jointly by representatives of the Musée du Louvre and the Université Paris I Sorbonne.

The "APSIS4All" project, which is financed with EU funds, is aimed to make self-service terminals, such as public transport ticket vending machines or public information kiosks and cash dispensers, to the Europeans who have a disability or the 87 million Europeans aged 65 and over. In order to carry out this purpuose, the project will design and validate personalised interfaces, including contactless cards, to help overcome existing accessibility barriers.