European Union News - European Union

 The Agriculture and Fisheries Council has held a public debate on the Swedish Presidency's work programme for the next six months. Its main priorities are sustainable fisheries, the global challenges relating to food security and climate change, and sound animal husbandry.

Following the June elections, the new chamber of Parliament meets for the first time in this legislature. The election of a new president to replace Hans-Gert Pöttering will be the first decision of the Parliament

The Commission has published a report on the conservation status of over 1150 species and 200 habitat types protected under EU law. Only a small proportion of these vulnerable habitats and species have achieved good conservation status and Member States will need to strengthen their efforts if this situation is to improve. The report, which covers 2001-2006 and is the most comprehensive survey of EU biodiversity ever undertaken, provides an invaluable reference point for measuring future trends.

The Commission has issued a call for proposals under its "Europe for Citizens". This call aims to support and encourage civil society organizations at European level to reinforce the values of citizenship.

The Official Journal of the European Union has published the decision to renew the Portuguese on his office until 2014. European Parliament has yet to give its approval to this decision.

The Commission has issued a call for applications for financial support to European consumer organisations in 2009 with the aim of complementing, supporting and watching the policies of the member States, and contributing to protect the health, the security and the economic and legal interests of the consumers.

The General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union has published a call for tenders for the consultancy, strategic review and planning services relating to the EU Council public website.

The Commission is calling for an EU-wide ban on smoking in public places by 2012. Today, not all EU countries have strong anti-smoking regulations, and there are big differences between member states. Tobacco is the leading avoidable cause of death in the EU, and about 170 million Europeans are smokers.

Everyone who wants to participate in OPEN DAYS 2009 European Week of Regions and Cities is now able to get registered online. The event will take place in Brussels from 5 to 8 October 2009, and it is expected that milliards of people will participate in the 300 events that are expected to be held across the participating countries.

The EU Council will develop a new public web site. It will start with a previous phase of consultancy, strategic review and planning services relating to the EU Council public website.

The Council has decided by written procedure to appoint Pawel Samecki as new Commissioner on Regional Policy in place of his compatriot, Danuta Hübner, newly elected MEP in June elections.

President Barroso will represent the Commission at the G8 summit for the fifth time, which this year takes place under Italian chairmanship in L'Aquila (Italy). G8 leaders will notably address the global economy, including trade, climate change and energy, Africa/development and food security.