UK Office of the European Parliament

 

EP News, October 6th, 2006 (No. 276)

There is a plenary session on 11-12 October in Brussels - the next EP News will appear on Tuesday afternoon.

The Week Ahead 9-13 October 2006

 

Highlights of the week include:-

  • REACH chemicals regulation - 2nd reading adoption Environment Cttee
  • Services Directive - 2nd reading discussion Internal Market Cttee
  • Driving licences Directive - 2nd reading discussion Transport Cttee
  • 7th Research Programme - specific programmes 2007-2013 adoption ResearchCttee
  • Future of professional foothall in Europe - UEFA CEO - Culture Cttee

UK MEPs

  • John Purvis (Cons, Scotland) report on mortgage credit - adoption Economic Cttee
  • Edward McMillan-Scott (Cons, Yorks&Humber) - report on human rights & democracy - adoption Foreign Affairs Cttee
  • Peter Skinner (Lab, South East) - report on Transparency Directive level 2 - adoption Economic Cttee
  • James Elles (Cons, South East) - report on EU budget 2007 - adoption Budgets Cttee
  • Charles Tannock (Cons, London) - report on importing goods from non-EU countries - Economic Cttee Edward McMillan-Scott (Cons, Yorks & Humber) and Baroness Nicholson (Lib Dem, South East) take part in MEP delegation to Middle East 13 Oct.

 

Hearings

  • Edward Leigh MP (Chair of Public Accounts Cttee) and Lord MacLennan of Rogart will attend Budgetary Control Cttee (Mon)
  • Consumer organisations in Europe - Consumer Protection Cttee (Weds)
  • Security & Defence operations - Security Sub-Cttee (Mon)
  • Biotechnology in agriculture - Agriculture Cttee (Weds)

 

Committee visits to the UK

  • Equitable Life Committee of Inquiry visit to London 16 October.

 

 

Committee meetings

Note to readers: A new column appears in the table below, with the type of legislation at hand. Where available, a link to the factsheet on the European Parliament's Legislative Observatory (the 'OEIL') is also included: OEIL files often contain a summary of the successive stages of the legislative procedure, and links to the original proposal. [ For a quick reminder of the different types of European laws, please check this link on the Commission's website, Europa ].

Edited committee agenda below, with links to full agenda on www.europarl.eu.int, and working documents on the committees' websites:

Committee in charge
Date of meeting
Link to full agenda
Link to Committee
 
Title of procedure
MEP in charge
Type of procedure
Stage of procedure
Proposed Act / OEIL
AFET - Foreign Affairs [ list ] 10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
A Baltic Sea Strategy for the Northern Dimension Alexander Stubb (EPP-ED) Own initiative Consideration of amendments, Vote and adoption of a draft report  
Exchange of views with Dr. Christian SCHWARZ-SCHILLING, the High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina - - - -
Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide Hélène Flautre (Verts/ALE)
Edward McMillan-Scott (EPP-ED)		 Codecision first reading Vote and adoption of a draft report Regulation - OEIL

JOINT MEETING WITH THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

Exchange of views on European Neighbourhood Policy and Northern Dimension Policy with the Foreign Ministers of EFTA-EEA countries
• Mr Jonas Gahr STØRE, Foreign Minister of Norway,
• Ms Valgerdur SVERRISDÓTTIR, Foreign Minister of Iceland
• Ms Rita KIEBER-BECK, Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein

- - - -
       
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SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ] 9 & 11 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide - - - -

Committee on Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Security and Defence


PUBLIC HEARING
LESSONS LEARNT FROM ESDP OPERATIONS

Monday, 9 October 2006
15:00 to 18.30
Altiero Spinelli Building, Room ASP 3E-2, Brussels
Draft Programme


Welcome and opening remarks by
- Mr Karl von Wogau, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence
- Mr Mika Markus Leinonen (Chairman of CIVCOM, Finnish Presidency)

Decision making in ESDP missions: legal versus operational requirements?
- Mr Pedro Serrano, (Director of DE9, Civilian Crisis Management, EU Council)
- Dr Antonio Missiroli, (Chief Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre, Brussels).

Financing ESDP civilian and military missions: what lessons?
- Mr Juha Auvinen, (Head of Unit CFSP/RRM Unit, DG Relex, European Commission)
- Mr Pedro Serrano, (Director of DE9, Civilian Crisis Management, EU Council)

ESDP military missions: operational lessons
Former Operation Commanders (names to be confirmed)

Police, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform ESDP missions
- Ms Sylvie Pantz, (Former Head of the EUJUST THEMIS Mission in Georgia)
- Mr Pascal Schumacher (Former Head of Operations, EUBAM Rafah, Palestine)

General Assessment
- Researcher from the EU Institute for Security Studies (name to be confirmed)

Open debate
Concluding remarks by Mr von WOGAU

Poster

Working documents

- -
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DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ] 11 October 2006   committee homepage
-
A financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide Hélène Flautre (Verts/ALE); Edward McMillan-Scott (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Trilogue Regulation - OEIL
- - - - -
       
-
BUDG - Budgets [ list ] 10, 12 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
BUDGET 2007        
2007 budget: Section III - Commission James Elles (EPP-ED) - Possibly: discussion of and vote on budgetary amendments -
2007 budget - other sections Louis Grech (PSE) - Possibly: discussion of and vote on budgetary amendments -
BUDGET 2006 - - - -
Amending budget 5/2006, Section III - Commission: funds for the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, European Year for Equal Opportunities in 2007 and budgetary regularisation Giovanni Pittella (PSE) - Adoption of a draft report -
Transfer of appropriations - Section III - Commission Giovanni Pittella (PSE) - Consideration and adoption of transfer requests -
Budget 2006 : "Other sections"
- EP: C19, C20 and C21/2006
- Court of Auditors: V/12/AB/06
- Consideration of transfer request: Committee of Regions request to modify the 2006 establishment plan under the terms of art. 47(1) of the Financial Regulation
- Other possible transfer requests 		Valdis Dombrovskis (EPP-ED) - - -
         
LEGISLATIVE CONSULTATIONS - - - -
Third Community Contribution for the Chernobyl Shelter Fund Janusz Lewandowski (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration and adoption of a draft report Council Decision / OEIL
Community guarantee to the European Investment Bank Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) Consultation 1st exchange of views Council Decision / OEIL
- - - - -

CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ]

9 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
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Joint committee meeting with national Budgetary Control Committees - - - -
"The role of budgetary control committees in national parliaments, in particular with regard to the control of the Community budget"
Jan Mulder (ALDE) - - -
       
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DEVE - Development [ list ]     committee homepage
-
       
-
ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ] 10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
Annual report of the European Central Bank Pervenche Berès (PSE) Non legislative Adoption of a draft report OEIL
The exemption from valued added tax and excise duty of goods imported by persons travelling from third countries Charles Tannock (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Level 2 Measures on Transparency Directive Peter Skinner (PSE) - Adoption of a draft report -
Green Paper on mortgage credit John Purvis (EPP-ED) Non legislative Adoption of a draft report Green Paper / OEIL
2006 annual report on the euro area José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of amendments OEIL
EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK - Monetary dialogue with Mr. Jean-Claude TRICHET, President of the ECB - - - -

     
-
EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ] - - committee homepage
-
       
-
ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ] 10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
The prevention of injury and the promotion of safety Kathy Sinnott (IND/DEM) Consultation Consideration of a draft report Council Recommendation / OEIL
REACH [from 9.30 approx.] - - - -
Chemicals: REACH system and European Chemicals Agency (amendment of Directive 1999/45/EC and regulation on pollutants) Guido Sacconi (PSE) Codecision second reading Adoption of a draft recommendation Regulation + Directive / OEIL
Registration, evaluation, authorisation and restrictions of chemicals - REACH (amendment of Directive 67/548/EC) Guido Sacconi (PSE) Codecision second reading Adoption of a draft recommendation Regulation + Directive / OEIL
Conclusion, on behalf of the EC, of an amendment to the Convention on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters Eija-Riitta Korhola (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration and adoption of a draft report Council Decision / OEIL
Thematic Strategy on the recycling of waste Johannes Blokland (IND/DEM) Non legislative Statement by the rapporteur OEIL
Thematic Strategy on the Marine Environment Aldis Kušķis (EPP-ED) Non legislative Adoption of a draft report OEIL
Community action in the field of marine environmental policy Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) Codecision first reading Adoption of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Oral Question 8/2006 by Mrs Brepoels on incidents with unauthorised GMOs - Exchange of views with Commission representative - - - -
Thematic Strategy on the sustainable use of natural resources Kartika Tamara Liotard (GUE/NGL) Non legislative Exchange of views without a document OEIL
Revision of the framework directive on waste
 Caroline Jackson (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments Directive - OEIL
- - - -
--
ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ] 09-10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Joint Undertaking for the European air traffic management system (SESAR) Erna Hennicot-Schoepges (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration of amendments Regulation / OEIL
Amendment of the Statutes of the Galileo Joint Undertaking Norbert Glante (PSE) Consultation Exchange of views Regulation / OEIL
A European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy
Eluned Morgan (PSE)		 Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Green Paper - OEIL
Nuclear safety and security assistance Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) Consideration of amendments Consideration of amendments Regulation / OEIL

Security of Energy Supply - Presentation of an external expert study by the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy

 - - - -
Specific programme to be implemented through direct actions by the Joint Research Centre (Seventh Nuclear Research and Training Framework Programme, 2007-2011)
 Daniel Caspary (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Council Decision / OEIL
Specific Programme 'Ideas' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) Angelika Niebler (EPP-ED) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Decision - OEIL
Specific Programme 'Capacities' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) Vittorio Prodi (ALDE) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Decision - OEIL
Specific Programme 'Cooperation' (Seventh RTDD Framework Programme, 2007-2013) Teresa Riera Madurell (PSE) Consultation Adoption of a draft report Council Decisions / OEIL
Time to move up a gear - Creating a Europe of entrepreneurship and growth Pilar del Castillo Vera (EPP-ED) Non legislative Adoption of a draft report Communication / OEIL
Conference on "Internet Governance and the role of the civil society" - Exchange of views
 - - - -
        -
IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ] 09-10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage  
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission - - - -
Harmonisation of the Member States' legislation on credit for consumers (repeal of Directive 87/102/EEC) - Exchange of views and presentation with invited experts including evidence from the House of Lords Kurt Lechner (EPP-ED) - - -
Services in the internal market Evelyne Gebhardt (PSE) Codecision second reading Consideration of amendments Directive - OEIL
Customs 2013 programme Janelly Fourtou (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Decision - OEIL
Consumer confidence in the digital environment Zuzana Roithová (EPP-ED) Own initiative Exchange of views OEIL
Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons Gisela Kallenbach (Verts/ALE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Communication from the Commission on public-private partnerships Barbara Weiler (PSE) Non legislative Vote (decision) in committee Communication - OEIL
Oral Question on gambling - - Consideration of the Oral Question - Vote (decision) in committee -
         

DRAFT PROGRAMME

Public Hearing of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

The Role of consumer organisations across Europe

Wednesday, 10 October 2006 from 15h00 to 18h30
European Parliament, Brussels

Opening session

  • Welcome address by Mrs. Arlene McCARTHY, Chair of IMCO-Committee
    Introduction by Mr. Markos KYPRIANOU, Commissioner of the European
    Commission, DG SANCO (tbc)

SESSION 1 - What is a consumer organisation: Is there a need for European criteria and definition of a consumer organisation?

  • Prof. Dr. Hans-W. MICKLITZ, Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, Germany
  • Mr. Ed MAYO, National Consumer Council, UK (tbc)
  • Dr. Barna BERKE, University of Budapest and Jean Monet Chariholder in EU Economic Law, Hungary

Questions & Answers by Members

SESSION 2 - Best practice and cross-border cooperation between the Consumer organisations

  • Martine MÉRIGEAU, Euro-Info Verbraucher e.V., Kehl, ECC France
  • Jim MURRAY, BEUC
  • Camilla HERSOM, Danish Consumer organisation

Questions & Answers by Members

SESSION 3 - Financing of Consumer organisation: means of financing

  • Luís SILVEIRA RODRIGUES, Portuguese Association for Consumer Protection
  • Małgorzata NIEPOKULCZYCKA, Federacja Konsumentów, Poland
  • Franz FLOSS, Verein für Konsumenteninformation, Austria

Questions & Answers by Members

Summary and closing statement: Arlene McCARTHY, Chair of IMCO Committee

 - - -
         
       
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INTA - International Trade [ list ] 10 October 2006 - committee homepage  
       
-
TRAN - Transport and Tourism [ list ] 09-10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
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European Aviation Safety Agency Jörg Leichtfried (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Exchange of views with Mr Patrick Goudou, Executive Director of the European Aviation Safety Agency - - - -
Driving licences, repealing Directive 91/439/EEC Mathieu Grosch (EPP-ED) Codecision second reading Consideration of a draft recommendation Directive - OEIL
Exchange of views on the Third Railway Package: - - - -
Development of the Community's railways Georg Jarzembowski (EPP-ED) Codecision second reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Certification of train crews operating locomotives and trains on the Community's rail network Gilles Savary (PSE) Codecision second reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
European Road Safety Action Programme - Mid-Term Review Ewa Hedkvist Petersen (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of a draft report Communication - OEIL
Double-hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil tankers Fernand Le Rachinel (NI) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
Investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector Jaromír Kohlíček (GUE/NGL) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Directive - OEIL
Liability of carriers of passengers by boat in the event of accidents Paolo Costa (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of a draft report Regulation - OEIL
       
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REGI - Regional Development [ list ] 12 October 2006   committee homepage
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CLOSING SESSION OF THE OPEN DAYS - EUROPEAN WEEK OF REGIONS AND CITIES 2006        

     
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AGRI - Agriculture and Rural Development [ list ] 10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-

AGENDA of the Public Hearing on
BIOTECHNOLOGY: PROSPECTS AND
CHALLENGES FOR AGRICULTURE IN EUROPE

Brussels, 10 October 2006 from 15h00 to 18h30
Room PHS 1A02

OPENING REMARKS

  • Mr Joseph DAUL, President of the Committee on agriculture and rural development

NEW AND EMERGING APPLICATIONS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY: CHALLENGES, POTENTIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT ON EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE

  • Presentation by Mr Daniel RICHARD-MOLARD, Director for Research (INRA), Ministry of National Training, Higher Education and Research (France)
  • Presentation by Mr Jussi TAMMISOLA, Professor, University of Helsinki and Senior Researcher Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Finland)
  • Presentation by Mr Leopold GIRSCH, Head of the 'Business Area Agriculture', Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) (Austria)
  • Presentation by Mr Janusz ZIMNY, Head of the 'Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics' Department, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute in Radzikow (Poland)

CO-EXISTENCE: NATIONAL APPROACHES AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION

  • Presentation by Mr Lucien HOFFMANN, Scientific Director of the 'Environment and agrobiotechnologies' Department, 'Gabriel Lippmann' Public Research Center (Luxembourg)
  • Presentation by Mr Benedikt HAERLIN, Head of the Berlin Office, Foundation on Future Farming (Germany)
  • Presentation by Mr Ewen MULLINS, Research Officer, Teagasc Crops Research Centre (Ireland)
  • Presentation by Ms Malgorzata KORBIN, Associate Professor, Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture (Poland)

CONCLUSIONS

  • Presentation by Mr Kyosti VIRRANKOSKI, Draftsman for the Committee on agriculture and rural development
  • Closing remarks by Mr Joseph DAUL, President of the Committee on agriculture and rural development
      
       
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PECH - Fisheries [ list ] 20-21 November 2006   committee homepage
-
       
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CULT - Culture and Education [ list ] 09-10 October 2006 full agenda (pdf) committee homepage
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With the Council and Commission: - - - -
A new framework strategy for multilingualism Bernat Joan i Marí (Verts/ALE) Non legislative Vote on and adoption of draft report -
White paper on a European communication policy Luis Herrero-Tejedor (EPP-ED) Non legislative Vote on and adoption of draft report -
Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America
renewing the co-operation programme in the field of higher education and vocational
education and training		 Marie-Hélène Descamps (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration and adoption of draft report -
Agreement between the European Community and the government of Canada
establishing a framework for co-operation in the fields of higher education, training and
youth		 Marie-Hélène Descamps (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration and adoption of draft report -
Integrated action programme in the field of lifelong learning Doris Pack (PPE-DE) Codecision second reading Consideration of draft recommendation - Vote and adoption of draft report -
Youth in Action programme for the period 2007-2013 Lissy Gröner (PSE) Codecision second reading Consideration of draft recommendation - Vote and adoption of draft report -
A programme of support for the European audiovisual sector (MEDIA 2007) Ruth Hieronymi (PPE-DE) Codecision second reading Consideration of draft recommendation - Vote and adoption of draft report -
Culture 2007 programme (2007-2013) Vasco Graça Moura (PPE-DE) Codecision second reading Consideration of draft recommendation - Vote and adoption of draft report -
Programme "Citizens for Europe" (2007-2013) Hannu Takkula (ALDE) - Consideration of draft recommendation - Vote and adoption of draft report -
Future of professional football in Europe - Exchange of views with the Director-General of UEFA, Lars-Christer OLSSON Ivo Belet (PPE-DE) - Consideration of draft report -
Competitiveness of audiovisual and information services: protection of minors and
human dignity		 Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE) - Exchange of views -
Coordination of certain provisions in Member States concerning the pursuit of
television broadcasting activities 		Ruth Hieronymi (PPE-DE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments -
Exchange of views with Mr Jan FIGEL, Commissioner for education, training, culture
and multilingualism - Presentation of Draft Rules of Procedure of the European Institute of Technology		 - - - -
       
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JURI - Legal Affairs [ list ] 20-21 November 2006   committee homepage  
       
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LIBE - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs [ list ]     committee homepage
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- - - - -
AFCO - Constitutional Affairs [ list ]     committee homepage
-
       
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FEMM - Women's Rights and Gender Equality [ list ]     committee homepage
-
       
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PETI - Petitions [ list ] 20-21 November 2006   committee homepage
-
       
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EQUI - Committee of Inquiry: collapse of Equitable Life Assurance Society [ list ]     committee homepage  
       
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TDIP - Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners [ list ] 09-10 October 2006 full agenda committee homepage
-
Exchange of views with Armando SPATARO, prosecutor (Milan, Italy) - - - -
Exchange of views on the delegation to London - - - -

Exchange of views with:-

- Otmar LAHODYNSKY, journalist and European editor of Austria's weekly magazine "Profil"

- Masaad Omer BEHARI, alleged victim of extraordinary rendition (Sudanese, residing in Vienna)

- - - -
         

 

Hearings, Seminars, Workshops

Agriculture and Rural Development
10 October 2006
"Biotechnology: Prospects and challenges for agriculture" - programme