Households gas prices and households electricity prices rose in 2010 in the EU
According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, household electricity prices rose by 5.1% between the second half of 2009 and the second half of 2010, after a fall of 2.3% between the second half of 2008 and 2009. On the household gas prices, there were increased by 7.7% in the EU between the second half of 2009 and 2010, after a fall of 15.5% between the second half of 2008 and 2009.
Read more …The Commission launches a public consultation on environmental information
The consultation intends seeking opinions from the European citizens on standards that will harmonize the EU-wide approach to data which covers 25 themes including land cover, buildings, soil, land-use, energy, health and safety. The standards will facilitate cross-border integration and analysis of environmental data, modelling, and forecasting activities in many policy areas.
Read more …European Court of Auditors found that the Single Payment Scheme contributed to the achievement of the CAP goals
The report published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on the application of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) found that this mechanism contributes to the achievement of the two of the main objectives of the common agricultural policy, which are supporting farmers’ income and to maintaining agricultural land in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). However, the report also found that the implementation of the scheme resulted in a number of questionable features, such as cases where the system encouraged investments by operators who have little interest in farming as an activity but who exploit the guaranteed returns that SPS provides.
Read more …Thirteen photonics research projects to accelerate high-speed broadband
The European Commission presented thirteen photonics research projects in the field of high-speed fibre broadband networks with the aim of developing technologies to give every Europeans access to fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020.
Read more …The European Capital of Culture in Spain in 2016 will be San Sebastián
The Spanish city of Donostia-San Sebastián was recommended for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2016 together with the Polish city of Wrocław. The European Capital of Culture is chosen by an independent selection panel which recommends its decision to the Council. The Council has now to appoint the two cities officially in May 2012.
Read more …The Agriculture Committee believes that milk producers should have more bargaining power
The Agriculture Committee at the European Parliament amended a draft EU regulation on milk contracts to boost dairy farmers' bargaining power. According to this Committee, farmers should be able to join producers' organisations that can negotiate raw milk deliveries for them and ensure that they get a fairer share of the price paid by consumers. In addition, the Committee also proposed a supply management system in order to improve the working of the market for dairy products registered under a protected designation of origin (PDO) or protected geographical indication (PGI).
Read more …The food security is reinforced thanks to an agreement between the Commission and the UN agencies
The new Strategic Framework of Cooperation to address food insecurity and malnutrition worldwide has been launched on 27 June. The European Commission, together with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reached an agreement to launch this Strategic Framework.
Read more …The airlines should paid the expenses incurred by the cancellation of a flight
According to the conclusions from the Advocate General Eleanor Sharpston, an airline should provide adequate care (e.g. accommodation, meals, and telephone calls) while awaiting a later flight in case of a cancelled flight. Therefore, passengers may claim reimbursement of reasonable expenditure incurred where an airline fails to provide such care and assistance.
Read more …A Eurobarometer opinion poll indicates strong support for a tax on financial transactions
The Eurobarometer survey on "Europeans and the crisis" is an opinion poll carried out by the European Parliament covering views on the economic crisis. The results shows a strong support for a tax on financial transactions. In addition, a majority of Europeans believe that overall the euro has not mitigated the effects of the crisis.
Read more …The Competitiveness Council gave its green light to the unitary patent protection
The Council agreed on general approaches on two draft regulations implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of unitary patent protection. The Council use the enhanced cooperation to launch the procedure. It was requested by 25 out of 27 EU member states with the aim of establishing a unitary patent that will be valid across the territory of the participating member states. All member states except Italy and Spain were in favour of the use of enhanced cooperation.
Read more …The EU and Canada have reached agreement on an equivalency in organics product
The review of the EU and Canada's rules for organic production and control systems have led to the conclusion that in both the rules governing production and controls of organic agricultural products are equivalent to those laid down in each other's legislation. The equivalency reached will facilitate and hence boost trade in agricultural organic products between the EU and Canada.
Read more …European researchers are working on better tools for the European manufacturing industry
The ConTemp project has as main goal to develop self-learning adaptive process controls to stabilise machining conditions in order to help out the European manufacturing industry. In particular, a part of this project is focused on tool temperature as it does have a significant influence on workpiece quality and tool wear and in turn on manufacturing productivity.
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