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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 06-03-02
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] La Commission européenne intensifie les efforts pour mettre en ligne
la «mémoire de l’Europe» via une bibliothèque numérique
européenne
[02] Commission proposes concrete measures to deliver EU aid better and
faster
[03] Le secteur de l’élevage présente un code de bonnes pratiques pour
la sélection et la reproduction des animaux d’élevage en
Europe
[04]
[05] Better regulation: Commission seeks expert advice to cut red tape on
all levels
[06] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit Ukraine 2-3 March
[07] January 2006 compared to December 2005 - Industrial producer prices up
by 1.2% in euro-zone -Up by 1.1% in EU25
[08] Commission clears acquisition of DCOH by EQT
[09] EU and the Caribbean: Commission proposes a new partnership for growth,
stability and development
[10] Rédiffusion
[11] Avian Influenza: Measures for Switzerland, Croatia and France agreed
[12] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2006-03-02
Reference: MEX/06/0302
Date: 02/03/2006
EXME06 / 02.3
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Press and Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Presse etb
Communication
02/03/06
[01] La Commission européenne intensifie les efforts pour mettre en ligne
la «mémoire de l’Europe» via une bibliothèque numérique
européenne
Le plan de la Commission européenne visant promouvoir l’accès
numérique au patrimoine de l’Europe prend forme rapidement. Dans les
cinq prochaines années, au moins six millions de livres, documents et
autres œuvres culturelles seront mis la disposition de toute personne
disposant d’une connexion l’Internet, par l’intermédiaire de la
«bibliothèque numérique européenne». Afin de stimuler les initiatives
de numérisation européennes, la Commission va cofinancer la création
d’un réseau paneuropéen de centres de numérisation. La Commission
abordera également, dans une série de documents stratégiques, la
question du cadre approprié adopter pour assurer la protection des
droits de propriété intellectuelle dans le cadre des bibliothèques
numériques.
[02] Commission proposes concrete measures to deliver EU aid better and
faster
In three communications approved today, the Commission proposes concrete
measures to improve the effectiveness of EU development aid and external
assistance. These proposals follow-up on the EU’s commitments in 2005 to
scale-up aid substantially and to improve its impact and its speed of
delivery, in order to meet the challenges of the Millennium Development
Goals by 2015. The Commission proposes an action plan including joint
programming of assistance with Member States and sees the Union on track to
deliver on its financial commitments.
[03] Le secteur de l’élevage présente un code de bonnes pratiques pour
la sélection et la reproduction des animaux d’élevage en
Europe
Le secteur de l’élevage a élaboré un code de bonnes pratiques qui
devrait assurer un maximum d’ouverture et de transparence sur les
pratiques utilisées dans la sélection et la reproduction d’animaux
d’élevage. Ce code, élaboré avec le soutien du programme-cadre de
recherche européen, sera présenté aujourd’hui au Salon de
l’agriculture de Paris, lors du lancement de la plateforme technologique
pour la sélection et la reproduction durables des animaux d’élevage.
L’objectif est que les entreprises d’élevage adoptent le code et
obtiennent ainsi un certificat de conformité, ce qui permettra
d’atteindre des niveaux élevés de santé et de bien-être des animaux
dans des systèmes de production durables qui peuvent fournir des produits
alimentaires sûrs et de haute qualité. Le code est disponible en vingt
langues et sera mis jour régulièrement.
Safety of consumer products: Commission presents “Rapid Alert System”
Report for 2005
The number of dangerous products identified in the EU has risen sharply
over the last year, according to the Report on the “Rapid Alert System”
(RAPEX) for non-food consumer products published today by the Commission.
Through RAPEX, national authorities notify to the Commission products
presenting a serious risk for the health and safety of consumers, with the
exception of food, pharmaceutical and medical products. Notifications
almost doubled from 388 in 2004 to 701 in 2005. Close to 50% of the
notifications concerned imported products. Out of all notifications, 25%
referred to toys. Electrical appliances are also of serious concern.
Enhanced participation from all EU Member States, joint efforts with and
between national market surveillance and customs authorities, and co-
operation with third countries are needed to help solve the problem.
[05] Better regulation: Commission seeks expert advice to cut red tape on
all levels
Better regulation is essential to generate more growth and employment in
Europe and to make life easier for enterprises and citizens. In order to
drive this process forward the Commission has set up a new group of
national regulatory experts who will advise the Commission on its general
strategy to simplify and improve European legislation and to facilitate the
development of better regulation measures at both national and EU level.
The group will be an efficient interface between the Commission and key
governmental authorities at the Member State level in order to assist the
Commission in improving the regulatory environment for enterprises,
industry, consumers, the social partners and citizens at large.
[06] Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner to visit Ukraine 2-3 March
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood
Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will visit Ukraine on 2-3 March to meet
President Yushchenko, Prime Minister Yekhanurov and Energy Minister
Plachkov. She will also take part in the EU Troika ministerial meeting with
Ukraine on 3rd March. Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will welcome the
progress in political and economic reforms over the past year, and the
strengthening of EU-Ukraine relations since the adoption of the European
Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan in February 2005. She will stress the
importance of free and fair parliamentary elections, which will be a key
element in opening new prospects for EU-Ukraine relations including for an
enhanced agreement and urge further reform efforts. The Commissioner’s
visit signals the European Commission’s continued support for Ukraine’s
transition, and its hope that Ukraine will firmly continue on the path of
reforms after the elections.
[07] January 2006 compared to December 2005 - Industrial producer prices up
by 1.2% in euro-zone -Up by 1.1% in EU25
The euro-zone industrial producer price index rose by 1.2% in January 2006
compared with the previous month. In January 2006, EU25 prices rose by
1.1%. In December 20053 prices increased by 0.2% in the euro-zone and by
0.6% in the EU25. In January 2006 compared to January 2005, industrial
producer prices rose by 5.3% in the euro-zone and by 7.1% in the EU25.
These figures come from Eurostat
[08] Commission clears acquisition of DCOH by EQT
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of DaimlerChrysler Off-
Highway Business (DCOH), currently part of DaimlerChrysler AG of Germany by
EQT IV Ltd (EQT) of the UK. EQT is a private equity group. DCOH produces
diesel engines and related components for off-highway applications (marine,
power generation, etc.) and drive shafts for motor vehicles. The operation
was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[09] EU and the Caribbean: Commission proposes a new partnership for growth,
stability and development
The European Commission has adopted today a proposal for a new EU Strategy
for the Caribbean. The strategy promotes a strong partnership between the
European Union and the Caribbean on development, the fight against poverty,
democracy, human rights and global threats to peace, security and
stability. The Commission wishes to shape a political partnership based on
shared values to address the Caribbean region’s economic and
environmental opportunities and promote social cohesion
[10] Rédiffusion
[11] Avian Influenza: Measures for Switzerland, Croatia and France agreed
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today endorsed a
European Commission proposal to apply the same procedures in relation to
the dispatch of live birds, poultry and poultry products from Switzerland
as are applied to EU Member States affected by avian influenza in wild
birds. A wild duck was found near Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) on 26 February
and another one today near the Constance Lake (Bodensee). As Switzerland is
applying the same rigorous measures as are laid out in the EU Decisions for
avian influenza in wild birds (see <a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/180&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/06/180)
and in poultry (<a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/79&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">MEMO/06/79),
there is no need for further restrictions from the EU. The Swiss
authorities have delineated protection and surveillance zones around the
area of infection, from which live birds, poultry and poultry products will
not be allowed to be exported or dispatched to other parts of the country
or to the EU. In addition, stringent eradication and control measures are
being applied in these zones. The Swiss authorities are cooperating closely
with the Commission and are providing regular updates on the avian
influenza situation. The Standing Committee also agreed today to extend the
regionalised import ban already in place for Croatia (<a href="http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1460&format=HTML&aged=1&language=EN&guiLanguage=en">IP/05/1460),
to include the island of Čiovo, where the H5N1 virus was confirmed in a
wild swan last week. In relation to France, the Commission has endorsed the
measures put in place by the French authorities in response to the outbreak
of avian influenza on a turkey farm last week. The Standing Committee
agreed to add a break-down of the French communes which are covered by the
protection, surveillance and buffer zones to the Annex of Decision
2006/135/EC laying down measures for avian influenza in poultry. The zones
cover 319 communes surrounding the “Dombes” region where cases in wild
birds have been detected and where the affected turkey farm was located.
This list aims to provide legal certainty with regard to the areas where
the eradication and control measures must be applied, and will enable
trading partners to regionalise import bans they may impose as a result of
the outbreak.
In addition, the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health
discussed the finding of a cat infected with the H5N1 virus in Germany and
agreed the statement attached. (see MEMO/06/104)
[12] Autre matériel diffusé
Speech by President José Manuel Barroso “Address to the Slovenian
National Assembly” in Ljubljana
Questions & Answers: “The aid effectiveness package”
The European Digital Library: Frequently Asked Questions
Statement of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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