EP News, November 9th, 2006 (No. 281)

 

European Parliament session, Strasbourg

13-16 November 2006

 

European Parliament session

Committee table

Hearings

Diary Dates

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MEPs return to Strasbourg next week for the next European Parliament plenary session. Highlights of the agenda include:

• Services Directive - 2nd reading - debate Wednesday;
• Mercury ban - 1st reading directive - debate Tuesday;
• EU spending 2005 - Court of Auditors report - Tuesday.

 Also in committee:

• TV without frontiers - 1st reading directive - Culture Cttee Monday;
• Energy security, adoption - Eluned Morgan (Lab, Wales) - Energy Cttee Monday;
• Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, to CIA Cttee, Monday.

 

Services Directive 2nd reading (debate and vote Weds)

MEPs will have their 2nd reading of the proposed directive opening up the EU market in services. The text adopted by the Council of Ministers reflects the European Parliament's 1st reading to such an extent that no amendments were adopted at the committee stage - amendments may still be tabled to the full Parliament, however.

Among the sectors covered by the proposed directive: estate agencies; construction (including architects); car rental; travel agencies; sports centres; management consultancies; advertising.

Among the sectors not covered: public and private healthcare and social services; gambling; legal services.

The main change introduced by the European Parliament was to bring in a "freedom to provide services", requiring Member States to respect the right of service providers to supply services. It will no longer be possible, for example, to insist that service providers open an office in the country where they are temporarily delivering a service. For reasons of public policy, public security, environmental protection or public health, Member States may still restrict the freedom through national rules.

If agreement can be reached between Parliament and Council, the directive would take effect in the Member States three years after the formal signing (probably end of 2009).

 

Ban on mercury Tuesday

New rules on the sale of measuring devices containing mercury are due for discussion on Tuesday. MEPs in the Environment Committee adopted only eight amendments to the European Commission's proposal but they are significant for the UK.

The directive bans the sale of new, non-electrical measuring devices, including medical thermometers and sphygmomanometers (for measuring blood pressure). However, MEPs at the committee stage adopted an amendment providing an exemption for the production of traditional barometers and for antique barometers to be sold on the international market. For the text of the report and amendments adopted in the Environment Committee, see Europarl.europa.eu.

This is the 1st reading in the codecision procedure. Discussions have been ongoing with a view to reaching agreement with the Council of Ministers at 1st reading: if that is achieved, the new rules would come into effect by the middle of 2008. If the Council does not accept all the amendments adopted by the European Parliament at 1st reading, the proposal will return for a 2nd reading at a later stage.

 

Court of Auditors Tuesday

The President of the Court of Auditors, Hubert Weber, will formally present the annual report on management of the EU budget in 2005. This is the 12th year running that the Court has given a negative statement of assurance on budget spending. The Court calls on the European Commission, Member States themselves and other countries receiving EU funds to improve further their management and control systems.

When the report was presented to the European Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee in October, the rapporteur for the 2007 budget, James Elles MEP (Cons, South East) said he was surprised to find no mention in the report of the idea already raised by MEPs of having 'national declarations' to establish a level of responsibility where expenditure is jointly managed by the European Commission and the Member States. A lively debate can be expected on Tuesday - the European Parliament is due to vote on whether or not to sign off the 2005 accounts early next year.

 

 

UK MEPs

John Purvis MEP - Scotland, Conservative - EU mortgages market

Scottish Conservative MEP John Purvis will be presenting his report on the EU mortgages market to MEPs on Tuesday evening. Among the issues to be discussed in the debate: whether a 'euromortgage' is feasible or desirable; what barriers there are to the provision of mortgages across EU borders; how professional bodies can be encouraged to establish common property valuation standards; what sort of regulatory environment there should be for mortgage brokers. MEPs will adopt a non-binding resolution on Wednesday.

 

Arlene McCarthy MEP - North West, Labour - Gambling

North West Labour MEP Arlene McCarthy will be tabling an oral question to the European Commission on gambling and sports betting (Tuesday). Last month the Commission launched infringement procedures against Austria, France and Italy for alleged restrictions on the sports betting market, following earlier cases in other EU members. Arlene McCarthy will be asking about latest developments and seek to find out whether further action is intended in other gambling-related sectors.

 

Neil Parish MEP - South West, Conservative

Jim Nicholson MEP - UUP, Northern Ireland - Milk quotas

Neil Parish (Cons, SW) and Jim Nicholson (UUP, NI) are among the signatories of an oral question to the European Commission on milk quotas (debate Monday evening). The question asks: Does the European Commission intend to maintain the system of milk quotas until 2015, which offers a certain level of protection for many producers, or does it intend to dismantle the quota system gradually from 2008 onwards?

 

 

Other legislation and EU funding programmes

Farming - voluntary modulation

MEPs are set to vote on European Commission proposals laying down rules on farm payments known as voluntary modulation (this debate was held over from October). The proposals for voluntary modulation go back to the overall EU budget agreement reached in December 2005 under the UK Presidency - they allow Member States to cut direct payments to farmers by up to 20%, with any money saved being used for rural development programmes.

The Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament voted to reject these proposals on the grounds that they would jeopardise the survival of many farms, distort competition and signal a move towards a renationalisation of the CAP. There are strong views in the UK on this issue so we can expect that several UK MEPs will take part in Monday evening's debate.

The European Parliament is only consulted on the voluntary modulation proposals. However, MEPs do have the final say on rural development spending so there is a likely link to the overall vote on the EU budget for 2007.

 

Marine environment

Monday evening's main debate concerns the marine environment. As well as responding to the European Commission's proposed marine environment strategy paper, MEPs will be having their 1st reading of a proposed directive. This sets up a framework within which Member States shall achieve good environmental status in the marine environment by 2017, according to amendments adopted in the Environment Committee. The directive lays down the process by which countries will need to set up marine strategies, how to assess the marine environment and levels of pollution in their waters and ways of co-operating with neighbouring countries. The directive also lays down a timetable for reporting back to the European Commission.

For the report and 80 amendments adopted in the Environment Committee, see Europarl.europa.eu. This is the 1st reading in the codecision procedure. Unless the Council of Ministers accepts all amendments adopted by the European Parliament, the proposal will return for a 2nd reading at a later stage.

 

Air Traffic Control (SESAR)

The proposed plan for modernising European air traffic control, SESAR, is due for discussion by MEPs on Tuesday. Various stages of development and deployment of the new scheme are proposed, with deployment due from 2014 to 2020, according to amendments suggested by the Industry Committee. Among the issues to be discussed: safeguards for financial participation by the private sector, timing of the whole process, potential role of the European Parliament in the supervisory board. The European Parliament is only consulted on this proposal, the final say resting with the Council of Ministers.

 

Globalisation Fund

On Monday evening, MEPs will debate the proposal to set up an EU globalisation fund to help reintegrate into the labour market workers made redundant due to changes in global trade. Over 50 amendments to the proposed Regulation were adopted in the Employment Committee, many adjusting the criteria for use of the Fund. One, for example, is designed to make funds available to help smaller labour markets provided at least 500 workers are affected in any one region. Other amendments specify that the Fund cannot be used for passive social protection or to finance the restructuring of companies or sectors. The intention is that the Fund will run from 2007-2013 with a maximum €500m using funds under-spent on other budget headings.

 

 

Other issues

• Wills and testaments: MEPs will discuss legal problems arising from EU citizens living in one country and being benefactors in a will or testament from another EU member state (Wednesday). The report and resolution due for adoption on Thursday constitute the European Parliament's response to the European Commission's Green Paper on the subject. The report adopted in the Legal Affairs Committee makes detailed recommendations for the type of legislation that might be drawn up at EU level to deal with such cross-border difficulties. For the committee report, see Europarl.europa.eu.

• Languages: Among the issues up for discussion during Tuesday morning's debate on 'multi-lingualism' is the issue of how the EU institutions communicate with citizens, especially those who speak lesser-used languages such as Welsh or Gaelic. From January 2007, Irish will become the 21st official language of the EU. According to Eurobarometer surveys, half of all EU citizens say they can speak a second language, but the UK is low down that league table. MEPs will discuss language teaching and the use of language tests for work.

• 2007 Work Programme: Tuesday afternoon's main debate is on the European Commission's legislative and work programme for 2007. It sets out both the overall strategic priorities for the Commission and what legislative proposals and other communications it plans to publish. 2007 will be the European Year of Equal Opportunities.

• Biological weapons: On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will hear statements from the European Commission and the Finnish minister representing the Council on the dangers of biological weapons.

• Trade preferences: The European Commission will make a statement (Tuesday) on the EU's Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for trade with developing countries.

• EU communications strategy: MEPs have their say on Commissioner Wallstrom's communications policy paper on Thursday morning. The White Paper is aimed at improving the EU's interaction with its citizens.

• EU Ombudsman: Thursday sees the annual debate on the work of the EU Ombudsman, Nikiforos Diamandouros. 70% of the complaints he received still fell outside his remit which is to deal with maladministration by EU institutions. 197 complaints were received from UK citizens in 2005, about 5% of the total. The most common complaints are: lack of transparency, including refusal of information, unfairness or abuse of power, avoidable delays.

• President of Georgia: President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia will formally address the European Parliament on Tuesday 14 November at 11am (UK time).

• Emir of Qatar: The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani will make a formal address to MEPs on Wednesday 15 November at 11am (UK time).

 

Full information can be found in "The Briefing" at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/tous_les_briefing/default/default_en.htm

A live webstream of the plenary session will be broadcast on http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eplive/public/freetext_page_webstreaming/default/default_en.htm

 

 

Committee meetings

European Parliament session

Committee table

Hearings

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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 ].

AFET	SEDE	DROI	BUDG	CONT	DEVE	ECON	EMPL	ENVI	ITRE	IMCO	INTA
TRAN	REGI	AGRI	PECH	CULT	JURI	LIBE	AFCO	FEMM	PETI	EQUI	TDIP

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 ]	13 November 2006	full agenda	committee homepage	-
ENLARGEMENT	-	-	-	-
Accession of Bulgaria	Geoffrey Van Orden (EPP-ED)	Non legislative	Consideration of a draft report	OEIL
Accession of Romania	Pierre Moscovici (PSE)	Non legislative	Consideration of a draft report	OEIL
Report on the strategy paper on progress in the enlargement process - 1st exchange of views as follow-up to Commission report of 8 November 2006	Elmar Brok (EPP-ED)	--	-	-
-	-	-	-	-
SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ]	27 November 2006		committee homepage	-
-	-	-	-	-
DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ]	18-19 December 2006		committee homepage	-
-	-	-	-	-
				-
BUDG - Budgets [ list ]	20-22 November 2006	-	committee homepage	-
-	-	-	-	-
CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ]	20-21 November 2006	-	committee homepage	-
-	-	-	-	-
DEVE - Development [ list ]	30 November 2006	-	committee homepage	-
				-
ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ]	21-22 November 2006	-	committee homepage
EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ]	22-23 November 2006	-	committee homepage	-
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs PUBLIC HEARING "Coordination of social security systems" 23 November 2006 European Parliament, Brussels EMPL organises a hearing to pave the way for the preparation of Mrs Lambert and Mrs Bozkurt reports on two Commission proposals in the field of social security, namely the proposal for a Regulation laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, and the proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, and determining the content of Annex XI. Introductions of Experts Mr Ger ESSERS - EURES Mr Roger HESSEL - European Institute of Public Administration, European Training Centre for Social Affairs and Public Health Care (CEFASS) Mr Peter Johan HUSTINX, European Data Protection Supervisor Mr Rob CORNELISSEN European Commission - DG EMPL Exchange of views	draft programme	-	-	-
ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ]	20-21 November 2006		committee homepage
-	-	-	-	--
ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ]	13 November 2006	full agenda	committee homepage	-
In the presence of the Council and the European Commission	-	-	-	-
Research, technological development and demonstration activities (seventh framework programme, 2007-2013)	Jerzy Buzek (EPP-ED)	Codecision second reading	Vote and adoption of a draft recommendation	Council Decision - OEIL
Nuclear safety and security assistance	Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL)	Consultation	Adoption of a draft report	Regulation - OEIL
A European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy	Eluned Morgan (PSE)	Non legislative	Adoption of a draft report	OEIL
Rules on participation for implementation of the seventh framework programme (2007-2013)	Philippe Busquin (PSE)	Codecision first reading	Consideration of compromise amendments presented by the rapporteur	Regulation - OEIL
-	-	-	-	-
IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ]			committee homepage
				-
INTA - International Trade [ list ]	21-22 November 2006	-	committee homepage
				-
TRAN - Transport and Tourism [ list ]	21-23 November 2006	-	committee homepage	-
				-
REGI - Regional Development [ list ]	16 November 2006		committee homepage	-
				-
AGRI - Agriculture and Rural Development [ list ]	13 November 2006	full agenda	committee homepage	-
Reform of the common organisation of the market in wine	Katerina Batzeli (PSE)	Non legislative	Consideration of amendments	Communication - OEIL
				-
PECH - Fisheries [ list ]	20-21 November 2006		committee homepage	-
				-
CULT - Culture and Education [ list ]	13 November 2006	full agenda	committee homepage	-
In the presence of the Council and Commission:	-	-	-	-
European Year of Intercultural Dialogue - Exchange of views with a view to a possible agreement on the recommendation for the second reading	Erna Hennicot-Schoepges (PPE-DE)	Codecision second reading	Exchange of views	Decision - OEIL
Coordination of certain provisions in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities.	Ruth Hieronymi (PPE-DE)	Codecision first reading	Vote and adoption of draft report	Directive - OEIL
				-
JURI - Legal Affairs [ list ]	20-21 November 2006		committee homepage
				-
LIBE - Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs [ list ]	20 November 2006		committee homepage	-
Joint Hearing: Conference on Serious International Crimes Monday, 20 November 2006, 14:00 - 18:30 European Parliament, Brussels * * * DRAFT PROGRAMME Welcoming Address (Baroness Sarah Ludford, LIBE Committee) (tbc) Presentation of Project and conference background paper (Antoine Bernard, Executive Director, FIDH/Carla Ferstman, Director, REDRESS) PANEL I: Implementing international law obligations Chair: Margus Kurm (Prosecutor,Estonia) (to be confirmed) Status of implementation of international law obligations by 25 Member States (Jürgen Schurr, FIDH/REDRESS) Obstacles to the implementation of international law obligations: the example of Poland (Beata Ziorkiewicz, Ministry of Justice, Poland) PANEL II: Components of a regular enforcement of international criminal justice Chair: Jan Wouters, University of Brussels The complementarity principle of the International Criminal Court (Hakan Friman, Judge, Sweden) Establishing universal jurisdiction as a key mechanism to ensure global accountability (Christopher Hall, Senior Legal Advisor, Amnesty International ) Impediments to the collaboration with International Tribunals (Siri Frigaard, Head of International Crimes Office, Oslo) Panel III: Jurisdiction and admissibility Chair: Judge Van Den Wyngaert, Judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia The presence requirement and consequences in practice (Jeanne Sulzer, lawyer and coordination of the FIDH legal action group, Paris) The application of Prosecutorial Discretion in the context of International Criminal Law – (Alberto Fabbri, Federal Attorney, Switzerland) (to be confirmed) The principle of subsidiarity in the context of International Criminal Law (tbc) Immunities in civil cases (Lorna McGregor, International Bar Association)	draft programme	-	-	-
AFCO - Constitutional Affairs [ list ]	13 November 2006	full agenda	committee homepage	-
Revision of Rule 139 of the Rules of Procedure. Transitional arrangement concerning languages.	Ingo Friedrich (EPP-ED)	Rules	Adoption of a draft report	-
The institutional aspects of the European Union's capacity to integrate new Member States	Alexander Stubb (EPP-ED)	Own initiative	Adoption of a draft report	OEIL
				-
FEMM - Women's Rights and Gender Equality [ list ]	13 November 2006	full agenda	committee homepage	-
A Roadmap for equality between women and men	Amalia Sartori (EPP-ED)	Non legislative	Adoption	OEIL
Educational discrimination against young women and girls	Věra Flasarová (GUE/NGL)	Own initiative	Adoption	OEIL
An integrated approach to equality between men and women in committee work	Anna Záborská (EPP-ED)	Own initiative	Consideration of a draft report	OEIL
				-
PETI - Petitions [ list ]	20-21 November 2006		committee homepage	-
				-
EQUI - Committee of Inquiry: collapse of Equitable Life Assurance Society [ list ]	23 November 2006		committee homepage
				-
TDIP - Temporary Committee on the alleged use of European countries by the CIA for the transportation and illegal detention of prisoners [ list ]	13 November 2006	full agenda	committee homepage	-
Exchange of views with Terry DAVIS, Secretary General of the Council of Europe	-	-	-	-

 

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• 1 July -31 December 2006: Finnish Presidency - http://www.eu2006.fi/
• 1 January - 30 June 2007: German Presidency

• 13-16 November 2006: European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg
• 29-30 November 2006: European Parliament plenary session, Brussels
• 11-14 December 2006 : European Parliament plenary session, Strasbourg

Link to the European Parliament's session calendar (2007 now available): http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/expert/staticDisplay.do?id=118

European Parliament session

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Further information

Simon Duffin, simon.duffin@europarl.europa.eu, European Parliament UK Office, tel 020 7227 4300