Directive 98/8/EC is the current regulatory framework for biocidal products. It sets out harmonised rules for the authorisation and placing on the market of these products. It also provides for the mutual recognition of authorisations within the EU and the establishment of a 'positive list' of active substances that are permitted to be used in biocidal products.

 

A Commission report on the implementation of this directive identified certain weaknesses and areas where updates and improvement are needed. These issues have been addressed by the Commission in its proposal for a new regulation.

 

Backed by a strong majority in the environment committee (ENVI) and supported by all the political groups, the rapporteur entered into negotiations with the Council to conclude a second reading agreement. Finally, the institutions agreed on a compromise package, which reconciles environmental and health concerns with innovation and research and with the needs of internal market.

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is Europe's fastest growing type of waste. It contains a lot of valuable raw materials, which if recovered and reused, can contribute to the efficient use of resources. In order to tackle climate change, avoid environmental damage and reuse the valuable resources in electronic equipment, we need high collection rates, high recycling rates, adequate recycling standards, strong legislation against illegal exports, enhanced producer responsibility, more eco-designed products and a fair distribution of responsibility and costs between producers, consumers and public authorities.

The report points out areas of weakness in controlling humanitarian funds and proposes potential improvements. All the amendments tabled by S&D MEPs Barbara Weiler and Thijs Berman were adopted in committee.

 

Just as in other areas of expenditure, the S&D members of the budget control committee have supported recommendations for improving financial control over the humanitarian aid funds managed by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

The question of food safety, on a global and EU level, will be one of the strategic priorities of the 21st century. In this context, one of the important factors for addressing food safety concerns is the reduction of food waste.

 

By adopting the Caronna report, the agriculture committee calls for a well-defined strategy for a more effective food chain with urgent measures to reduce food wastage by 50% before 2025. This reduction has to be made throughout the food chain – from the field (or water) to the plate of the consumer – and concerns both agricultural and marine products.

The overall goal of the memorandum of co-operation (MOC) is to ensure greater harmonisation of standards, closer co-ordination of the parties' respective activities and better use of resources to avoid duplication of effort.

 

Co-operation will also include sharing confidential data and the participation of EU observers in ICAO audit missions. Relevant provisions for actions in the field of aviation safety and security, traffic management and environmental protection are an integral part of the MOC. A joint committee will be responsible for the implementation of the agreement.

 

The report underlines the importance of the MOC in strengthening co-operation in these four areas of ICAO activities which are of interest to the EU, not least for the competitiveness of its own civil aviation industry.

S&D shadow-rapporteur Spyros Danellis called on the Commission to revise the legislation to improve the transparency of farm input prices and to guarantee that competition rules apply and are enforced throughout the food market chain.

 

The high concentration of farm input suppliers in the market contributes to maintaining high seed prices and undermines traditional crop diversity. The S&D Group calls on national and European competition authorities to prevent agribusiness traders and input companies from abusing their dominant position. Market transparency is essential both downstream and upstream in the food chain in order to improve competition and resilience to price volatility.

Space policy is a key element of the Europe 2020 strategy and an integral part of the flagship initiative on industrial policy. It supports the objectives of a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy by creating highly skilled jobs, providing commercial outlets, stimulating innovation and improving citizens’ well-being and security.

 

The proposals put forward by the Commission in COM (2011)152 represent a first step towards a comprehensive European Union space strategy. It is necessary, however, to establish a coherent European approach in co-operation with industry and, in the medium- and long-term, to establish financial and legislative mechanisms in order to boost European industry and enable the necessary continuity to support ambitious, competitive projects within an international framework.