European Union News - 07 February 2012

The 2012 European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) work programme has been published. The publication includes the activities which look for complete the implementation of the EMCDDA three-year strategy. Furthermore, the 2012 work programme presents specific objectives accompanied by their related activities and expected outcomes.

The new Protocol to Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Greenland foresees that Greenland will provide the EU with a total fishing opportunity of 85,765 tonnes, down from 91,700 tonnes under the current Protocol. the EU/Greenland Fisheries Partnership Agreement will enter into force on 1 January 2013. On the other hand, it was agreed to further limit catches for jack mackerel to 40% of the 2010 baseline in the South Pacific.

The European Commission published the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011 which shows that although almost all Member States have improved their innovation performance according to the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011, innovation performance growth is slowing down and the EU is not closing the persistent gap with global innovation leaders US, Japan and South Korea. According to European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani, enterprises have already proven to be the key to success in innovation.

On 7th February, more than 100 events in 30 European countries will encourage children, their families and teachers, to discover the digital world together on the Safer Internet Day 2012. INSAFE, the network of Safer Internet Centres funded by the Commission is coordinated the events celebrated this year under the theme: linking up generations for a safer digital world.

The proposed acquisition of joint control of the Spanish company MaxamCorp Holding S.L. by US based Advent International Corporation and approximately 110 individuals including Maxam's current managers, technical experts, other employees and co-investors, has been approved by the Commission.

MEPs at the Agriculture Committee backed the text as proposed by the Council on a two-year reprieve for the EU's "food for the needy" programme. Now the Parliament as a whole has to approve the scheme which will run until the end of 2013, with a budget of up to €500 million per year.