European Union News

The report published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) shows a general decrease in dietary exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, comparing the period 2008-2010 with 2002-2004, of at least 16% and up to 79% for the general population. These toxic substances may cause cancer over time.

A team of researchers funded in part with EU funds have discovered that energy produced from the planet's oceans can increase twofold when novel methods for predicting wave power are used. In particular, they developed a way to accurately predict the power of the next wave to extract more energy than double what is generated today. Even though, researchers believe that more subsidies are needed in this field to continue the research.

In the context of the EU Azerbaijan Action Plan, the European Commission announced new funding allocations for Azerbaijan to help reform the institutions responsible for bilateral relations with the EU. The new support will focus on the implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan priorities and institutional reforms.

The ICT Proposers' Day, a unique networking opportunity to build partnerships and projects targeting the new Information and Communication Technologies Work Programme for 2013, and that will be held in 26-27 September, Warsaw, Poland, counts already with 1000 participants who have registered.

The European Commission clears joint control of a newly created joint venture by Marquard & Bahls and Linde, all of Germany. In addition, it also clears the acquisition by Steag GmbH of Solar Millenium AG's jointly controlling stake in Arenales Solar PS, S.L. From Spain.

The Citizens’ Agora, which represents a link between the European Parliament and European civil society, launched a public consultation online on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. The questionnaire entitled “From farmers to consumers, what common agricultural and food policy?” includes questions such as “What kind of agriculture do we prefer?” and is addressed to all EU citizens.

The Opinion Paper on the current state of the European defence industry adopted by the European Economic and Social Committee calls for a “radical” change of mindset in the way governments deal with defence. It also welcomes the creation of the Task Force on Defence.

Russia joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as its 156th member after 18 years of negotiations. As the EU is Russia's first trading partner and Russia is the EU's third trading partner, the accession is specially important for the European Union.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) presents some useful information to avoid harmful ozone pollution this summer. According to the agency, high summer temperatures combined with air pollution can cause ground-level ozone to form, which has serious effects on health, especially for older people or children, or those with asthma and other breathing problems.

The new official website of BEREC, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, has been launched with the aim of providing effective and timely information to all European citizens, businesses, stakeholders and to the BEREC community itself.

The Marie Curie Actions invite their current and former fellows to participate in this year's Marie Curie Prize contest. The application process, that is open until 31 of August, will be based on nomination by a peer (colleague, professor, employer, host institution) who has the capacity to judge the fellow

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) launched a public consultation to the technical report “Prevention of norovirus infection in schools and childcare facilities”. The ECDC is seeking views from the scientific community and stakeholders on the prevention and control of gastroenteritis outbreaks in schools and child care facilities.