European Union News - 16 December 2011

The European Commission increased in more than doubled the number of education and teaching grants available for young people and university staff from countries involved in the 'Arab Spring' uprisings. Thus through 'Erasmus Mundus' programme, funding for a further 559 scholarships, on top of the 525 that were already planned for 2011-2012, are being allocated to Southern Mediterranean countries.

The European Parliament passed a resolution on a mid-term review of the EU's 2007-2012 health and safety at work strategy. According to the resolution, the effects of new technologies on health must be assessed and nanomaterials must be covered by current EU health and safety rules.

The Agriculture Ministers did not reach an agreement on proposals for decisions authorising the use of three genetically modified varieties in food, feed and for other uses, neither in favour nor against. In addition, Ministers had an exchange of views on the CAP reform proposal for a regulation on rural development.

The European Commission adopted a Green Paper and launched a public consultation on the future of LED-based lighting. The consultation has been launched because although LED lighting is one of the most energy-efficient and versatile forms of lighting,Europe also faces a number of challenges and more input is needed from citizens and businesses to refine the policy. To this end a consultation will run until 29 February 2012 to collect feedback on the Commission's ideas.

The World Trade Organisation's negotiations on government procurement concluded successfully after the Parties of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) reached an agreement on an updated set of tender rules and additional market access commitments. In total, 15 Parties, with the European Union counting as one Party, made commitments to expand market access that they offer to foreign companies.