The next edition of EP News will appear in time to report on the week beginning 27 August, when MEPs return to Brussels for one day of committee meetings and three days preparing positions in their groups for the next plenary session (3-6 September).

 

The Weeks Ahead 3-24 August 2007

From 9-13 August, North East Conservative MEP Martin Callanan will lead a delegation of EU election observers in Sierra Leone. General elections there take place on 11 August.

On 23 July, negotiations were launched with a view to agreeing a new reformed EU treaty. Eastern Region Liberal Democrat MEP Andrew Duff is one of three MEPs taking part in this Intergovernmental Conference.

 

The European Parliament on your radar

MEPs return to work at the end of August. Among the major legislative reports due for adoption this autumn:

• Consumer Credit Directive - 2nd reading;
• Railways (passenger compensation + liberalisation of networks) - 3rd reading;
• Maritime safety package (so-called Erika 3) - 2nd reading;
• Aviation emissions in the Emissions Trading Scheme - 1st reading;
• European Institute for Technology - 1st reading;
• Directive on the control of the use and possession of firearms - 1st reading;
• Directive on marketing of products - 1st reading;
• Sanctions on employers using illegal immigrants - 1st reading;
• Use of sustainable pesticides - 1st reading;
• Airport charges - 1st reading.

 

UK MEPs will be leading on a number of reports this autumn, including:

• North West Liberal Democrat Chris Davies on vehicle emissions (Committee vote October; plenary vote November);
• London Conservative Charles Tannock on EU neighbourhood policy (Committee vote October; plenary vote November);
• West Midlands Liberal Democrat Liz Lynne on social reality stocktaking (Committee vote October; plenary November);
• North East Liberal Democrat Fiona Hall on energy efficiency action plans (Committee vote November; plenary January 2008);
• East Midlands Labour Glenis Willmott on EU health & safety strategy (Committee vote December; plenary January 2008);
• West Midlands Labour Neena Gill has been appointed rapporteur on quality of life for older people - no timing yet available;
• South East Labour Peter Skinner has been appointed rapporteur on the Solvency II Directive - no timing yet available.

All timings are subject to change

 

What Happens Next?

Often the first question asked by journalists and stakeholders after a European Parliament vote is "What happens next?". Our webpage is designed to track key legislation after it has been voted on by MEPs. We have recently updated our What Happens Next? page for the following legislation:

Awaiting Council of Ministers reaction to European Parliament position

• Spirit drinks labelling directive
• Ban on trade in cat and dog fur
• Welfare for chickens
• Rome II Regulation on cross-border disputes
• Sizes of pre-packed goods
• Ban on mercury in measuring instruments

Coming into effect in the UK - we link to the UK Government department responsible

• Capping of mobile roaming rates - UK statute into force 30 July 2007
• REACH chemicals rules - 1 June 2007
• WEEE Directive (recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment) - 1 July 2007
• Healthy food claims - 1 July 2007
• Energy efficiency action plans - UK plan published 29 June 2007
• Disabled access to air travel - partly into effect 26 July 2007
• Motor Insurance Directive - 11 June 2007
• Driving times and rest periods for commercial drivers - latest changes April 2007

Others

• EU blacklist of unsafe airlines - updated 4 July 2007
• Rail passenger compensation and rail liberalisation - due for 3rd reading September 2007

 

Diary Dates

Further information