UK Office of the European Parliament

EP News, September 7th, 2007 (No. 321)

 

The Week Ahead 10-14 September 2007


Highlights of the week in committee (Brussels) include:

  • Railways (passenger rights and inter-operability of networks) 3rd reading Transport Cttee (Tues);
  • Car spare parts market (Legal Protection of Design - 1st reading) Legal Affairs Cttee;
  • Framework for the protection of soil - 1st reading - Environment Cttee;
  • Illegal immigration - EU system for return - 1st reading - Civil Liberties Cttee;
  • Sakharov Prize 2007 - nominations to human rights sub-cttee (Tuesday).



UK Issues and/or UK MEPs - highlights

  • Chris Davies MEP (Lib Dem, NW) - adoption report on vehicle CO2 emissions (Environment Cttee);
  • Diana Wallis MEP (Lib Dem, Yorks & Humber) - role of the national judge. Discussion with Sec. Gen of European Judicial Training Network (Legal Affairs Cttee);
  • Foot & Mouth in the UK - European Commission statement - Agriculture Cttee - Tuesday;
  • John Purvis MEP (Cons, Scotland) - in Syria on delegation for relations with Mashreq (10-15 Sept);
  • John Bowis MEP (Cons, London) - Access to health and medicines (ACP-EU Assembly, Thursday).



Hearings

  • Wine sector reform - Neil Parish MEP (Cons, SW) chairs Agriculture Cttee hearing (Weds- Thurs);
  • Role of the minimum wage - evidence from Ms Madi Sharma of UK Employers' Group - Employment Cttee (Weds);
  • Maintenance obligations - evidence from Mr Andrea Woelke of Law Society (Eng & Wales) - Civil Liberties & Legal Affairs Cttees (Tues);
  • Climate change - evidence from Prof Hoskins of Reading Uni to Climate Change Temp. Cttee (Monday);
  • Dr Ian White (St Thomas's Hospital London) meets Consumer Protection Cttee as Chair of European Scientific Committee on Consumer Products;
  • Gender in Structural Funding (Regional Cttee) - Weds.


Petitions with UK link

  • Company pension entitlements - with NW England petitioner present;
  • Tyne & Wear landfill protest - with petitioners present;
  • Urban waste water - British petitioners living in Spain (present);
  • Postal deliveries in Spain - British petitioners.

 

Committee meetings

Note to readers: Where available, a link to the factsheet on the European Parliament's Legislative Observatory (the 'OEIL') is included in the right-hand column: 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 ] 11, 12, 13 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
Exchange of views with Mrs Benita FERRERO-WALDNER, Commissioner for
External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy		        
Production of opium for medical purposes in Afghanistan Marco Cappato (ALDE) Recommendation Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Recommendation - OEIL
Relations between the European Union and Serbia Jelko Kacin (ALDE) Recommendation Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Recommendation - OEIL
Exchange of views with the Rt Hon Donald McKINNON, Commonwealth
Secretary-General		 - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Andrei STRATAN, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
European Integration of the Republic of Moldova		 - - - -
EU-Turkey relations Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP-ED) - Consideration of draft motion for a resolution -
  • Possibly, report by Ms Hélène FLAUTRE on the activities of the Subcommittee on Human Rights
  • Possibly, report by Mr Karl von WOGAU on the activities of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence
  • Possibly, report by Ms Ana GOMES on the Election Observation Mission to East Timor (presidential elections: 7-11 April 2007 and legislative elections: 27 June - 2 July 2007)
 - - - -
Strengthening the European neighbourhood policy Corapporteurs: Charles Tannock (EPP-ED), Panagiotis Beglitis (PSE) Non legislative Consideration of draft report Communication - OEIL
- - - -
-
SEDE - Subcommittee on Security and Defence [ list ] 10-11 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
Exchange of views with Mrs Annalisa GIANNELLA, Mr SOLANA's Personal Representative on non proliferation of WMD, on EU-Iran and the nuclear issue: latest developments ( IN CAMERA ) - - - -

Exchange of views with Mrs Annalisa GIANNELLA, Mr Solana's Personal Representative on non proliferation of WMD on implementation of the WMD and SALW strategies the treaty on Conventional Armed Forces Europe: assessment of the situation from the EU arms control policy viewpoint DPR Korea: lastest developments in the negotiations on nuclear disarmament

 - - - -
Exchange of views with Handicap International on Cluster bombs
 - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Karl von WOGAU, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, and Mr Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, Chairman of the Committee on Development, on the situation in Sudan/Darfur, its consequences for the region and, in this context, the planned ESDP operation in Chad - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Michael GAHLER, draftsperson for the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the draft general budget of the EU for the financial year 2008, on the budget lines relevant for ESDP - - - -
Exchange of views with Mr Pieter FEITH, Deputy Director-General for ESDP, Council Secretariat, on the future ESDP operation in Kosovo
 - - - -
- - - - -
DROI - Subcommittee on Human Rights [ list ] 10, 11 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
In camera: Inter-institutional cooperation on "difficult countries", examples of Burma, Cuba and Iran - - - -
Exchange of views on the study on the human rights impact of readmission agreements in third countries - - - -
Questions to the Commission - - - -
Exchange of views on the Joint EU-Africa Strategy - - - -
11 September 2007, 11.00 – 12.30: JOINT MEETING OF DROI/AFET/DEVE: Presentation of the nominations for the 2007 Sakharov Prize - - - -
- - - - -
BUDG - Budgets [ list ] 13 September 2007 n / a committee homepage
-
         
- - - - -

CONT - Budgetary Control [ list ]

11-12 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
Repercussions of the agreement between the Community-Member States/Philip Morris on the combating of cigarette smuggling and further consideration of the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into the Community Transit System Bart Staes (Verts/ALE)
 Initiative Consideration of amendments. Adoption of a draft report OEIL

Follow-up to the CONT delegation to Greece, 6-9 May 2007: Exchange of views with the Member of the European Commission responsible for Enlargement, Mr Olli Rehn. Exchange of views with the Member of the European Commission responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Mariann Fischer Boel

 - - Exchange of views -
Exchange of views with the President of the European Investment Bank, Mr Philippe Maystadt - - - -
The European Court of Auditors' Special Report 2/2007 on the Institutions' expenditure on buildings Edith Mastenbroek (PSE) - Consideration of a working document -
The European Court of Auditors' Special Report 1/2007 on the implementation of the mid-term processes Structural Funds 2000-2006 Antonio De Blasio (EPP-ED) - Consideration of a working document -
Presentation of the study "The structural funds' implementation in Poland - Challenges for 2007-2013" Antonio De Blasio (EPP-ED) - - -
Exchange of views with the Public Accounts Committee of the Danish Parliament - - - -
- - -
-
-
DEVE - Development [ list ] 10 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
With the Council and Commission - - - -
Adoption of draft calendar of committee meetings for 2008 - - - -
Meeting with Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, and Richard Manning, chairman of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), concerning, in particular, the DAC peer review. Exchange of views - - - -
Current situation in relations between the EU and Africa. Item to be taken in presence of Commissioner Louis Michel and Mrs Gertrude Mongella, President of the Pan-African Parliament Maria Martens (EPP-ED) initiative Consideration of draft report OEIL
Parliament’s right of scrutiny concerning the Development Cooperation Instrument
- Exchange of views
- Possibly, adoption of conclusions		 - - - -
EU election observation mission to East Timor. Exchange of views with Ana Gomes, head of the European Parliament’s election observation delegation, and José Javier Pomés Ruiz, the European Union’s Chief Observer - - - -
- - -
-
-
ECON - Economic and Monetary Affairs [ list ] 10-11 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage  
Adoption of the 2008 draft calendar of committee meetings - - - -
European Statistical Governance Advisory Board Sharon Bowles (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Decision - OEIL
European Advisory Committee on Community Statistical Information Policy Ieke van den Burg (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Decision - OEIL
Deposit Guarantee Schemes Christian Ehler (EPP-ED) - Consideration of draft report
 -
The contribution of tax policy to the Lisbon Strategy Sahra Wagenknecht (GUE/NGL) Non legislative Consideration of amendments Communication - OEIL
Asset Management II Wolf Klinz (ALDE) - Consideration of draft report -
Tax treatment of losses in cross-border situations Piia-Noora Kauppi (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of draft report Report - OEIL
Business registers for statistical purposes Hans-Peter Martin (NI) Codecision second reading Consideration of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Capital adequacy of investment firms and credit institutions (implementing powers conferred on the Commission) Pervenche Berès (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Insider dealing and market manipulation (implementing powers conferred on the Commission) Pervenche Berès (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Prospectus on securities (implementing powers conferred on the Commission) Pervenche Berès (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Transparency requirements in relation to information about issuers of securities (implementing powers conferred on the Commission) Pervenche Berès (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Markets in financial instruments (implementing powers conferred on the Commission) Pervenche Berès (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
The taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions (implementing powers conferred to the Commission) Pervenche Berès (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Supervision of credit institutions, insurance undertakings and investment firms (implementing powers conferred on the Commission) Pervenche Berès (PSE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS on IFRS 8 (International Financial Reporting Standard): Analysis of Potential Effects - - - -
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS with Mr. Joaquín ALMUNIA, Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs - - - -
EXTRAORDINARY HEARING with Mr. Jean-Claude TRICHET, President of the European Central Bank - - - -
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS with Mr. Charlie McCREEVY, Commissioner for Internal Market and Services
 - - - -
- - -
-
-
EMPL - Employment and Social Affairs [ list ] 11-12 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
Exchange of views with Mr VIEIRA DA SILVA, Minister for Labour and Social Solidarity - Presentation of the work programme of the Portuguese Presidency. - - - -
Quarterly statistics on Community job vacancies Alexandru Athanasiu (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Regulation - OEIL

PUBLIC HEARING
"Role of minimum wages/income for social inclusion in the EU"

Presentation by Dublin Foundation on the situation in the EU27 regarding minimum wages (compared with USA and Japan) (Stavroula Demetriades, Coordinator Industrial Relations).

Main issues:
* What is the policy objective of a minimum wage?
* What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a minimum wage and do minimum wage schemes cause competition distortions within the labour market?
* To what extent do existing schemes of minimum wages help to prevent poverty or the risk of poverty?

Discussion

Main issues:
* Is there an added value at European level regarding the minimum income and minimum wage in the fight against poverty and the working poor and, if so, which instruments and measures could be considered at EU level in this respect?

Introduction by the contractor on the study "the role of minimum income for social inclusion in the European Union" (Barbara Da Roit and Chiara Adonella Crepaldi).

Main issues:
* What is the policy objective of a minimum income?
* What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a minimum income?
* To what extent do existing schemes of minimum income help to prevent poverty or the risk of poverty?

Intervention by the European Economic and Social Committee, Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship, Ms Madi Sharma (Employers´ Group, UK).

Discussion

Main issues:
Is there an added value at European level regarding the minimum income and minimum wage in the fight against poverty and the working poor and, if so, which instruments and measures could be considered at EU level in this respect?

Programme

 

See also item 11 in
working documents

     
Social reality stocktaking Elizabeth Lynne (ALDE) Non legislative Consideration of amendments Communication - OEIL
Towards Common Principles of Flexicurity: More and better jobs through flexibility and security. Ole Christensen (PSE) - Exchange of views -
Community strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work Glenis Willmott (PSE) Non legislative Exchange of views with the Social Partners Communication - OEIL
Impact assessment on the revision of the Working Time Directive: Presentation and exchange of views on the impact assessment. - - - -
- - -
-
-
ENVI - Environment, Public Health and Food Safety [ list ] 11-13 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage  
Exchange of views with Mr Jaime Silva, Portuguese Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries - - - -
Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe Holger Krahmer (ALDE) Codecision second reading Consideration of draft recommendation for second reading Directive - OEIL
Amendment of Directive 2003/87/EC so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community Peter Liese (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments Directive - OEIL
Framework for the protection of soil Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments Directive - OEIL
Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection Vittorio Prodi (ALDE) Non legislative Consideration of amendments Communication - OEIL
The placing of plant protection products on the market Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) Codecision first reading Adoption of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Green Paper: Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke, policy options at EU level Karl-Heinz Florenz (EPP-ED) Non legislative Adoption of draft report Green Paper - OEIL
Community Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger cars and light-commercial vehicles Chris Davies (ALDE) Non legislative Adoption of draft report Communication - OEIL
Placing of biocidal products on the market (implementing powers conferred on the Commission Åsa Westlund (PSE) Codecision first reading Adoption of draft report Directive - OEIL
Residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed (implementing powers conferred on the Commission) Robert Sturdy (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Adoption of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Community action in the field of marine environmental policy Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) Codecision second reading Consideration of draft recommendation for second reading Directive - OEIL
Export and import of dangerous chemicals Johannes Blokland (IND/DEM) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Monitoring and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from fuels (raod transport and inland waterway vessels) Dorette Corbey (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Directive - OEIL
Nutrition and health claims made on foods Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Regulation - OEIL
- - - - -
ITRE - Industry, Research and Energy [ list ] 12-13 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
With the Council and Commission - - - -
CARS 21: A Competitive Automotive Regulatory Framework Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (ALDE) Non legislative Consideration of draft report Communication - OEIL
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Mobilising public and private finance towards global access to climate-friendly, affordable and secure energy services: The Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund
COM(2006)0583
 - - Presentation by the Commission -
Establishment of the ARTEMIS Joint Undertaking Gianni De Michelis (NI) Consultation Consideration of working document Regulation - OEIL
Conventional energy sources and energy technology Herbert Reul (EPP-ED) Non legislative Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Communication - OEIL
Statutes for the Euratom Supply Agency Romana Jordan Cizelj (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Council Decision - OEIL
Setting up the Clean Sky joint undertaking Lena Ek (ALDE) Consultation Consideration of working document Regulation - OEIL
Establishment of the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking Françoise Grossetête (EPP-ED) Consultation Consideration of working document Regulation - OEIL
Follow up of the implementation of FP7 - Exchange of views with Mr. J. M. Silva Rodriguez, EC Director-General of Research - - - -
Delocalisation of EU industry. Presentation of a study. - - - -
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and The European Economic and Social Committee on scientific information in the digital age: access, dissemination and preservation - Presentation by the Commission - - - -
- - - - -
IMCO - Internal Market and Consumer Protection [ list ] 12-13 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage  
Application of certain national technical rules to products lawfully marketed in another Member State Alexander Stubb (EPP-ED) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Common framework for the marketing of products Christel Schaldemose (PSE) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Decision - OEIL
Accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products André Brie (GUE/NGL) Codecision first reading Consideration of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Convention of 18 December 1997 on mutual assistance and cooperation between customs administrations Horia-Victor Toma (ALDE) Consultation Exchange of views Decision - OEIL
Exchange of views with Commissioner Meglena Kuneva on her visit to China and Product Safety - - - -
Protection of consumers in respect of certain aspects of timeshare Toine Manders (ALDE) Codecision first reading Exchange of views Directive - OEIL
Mutual assistance and cooperation between the administrative authorities of the Member States and the Commission concerning the application of the law on customs and agricultural matters Bill Newton Dunn (ALDE) Codecision first reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of amendments Regulation - OEIL
Exchange of views with Dr Ian White, Chair of the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) - - - -
Harmonisation of the Member States' legislation on credit for consumers (repeal of Directive 87/102/EEC) Kurt Lechner (EPP-ED) - - Directive - OEIL
- - - - -
INTA - International Trade [ list ] 11-12 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage  
Presentation by Commissioner Peter Mandelson, on latest developments in the Doha round - - - -
“The Potential Role for Collective Preferences in Determining the Rules of the International Trading System”. Presentation of a study by Ms Laurence Tubiana - - - -
Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (IGWG) at the World Health Organization - Exchange of views - - - -
Trade and Climate Change Alain Lipietz (Verts/ALE) Non legislative Consideration of draft report OEIL
Economic and Trade relations with Asean Glyn Ford (PSE) - Exchange of views -
Trade and economic relations with Ukraine Zbigniew Zaleski (EPP-ED) initiative Consideration of draft report OEIL
The reform of the Community trade defence instruments Christofer Fjellner - Exchange of views -
The EU's Strategy to deliver market access for European companies Ignasi Guardans Cambó (ALDE) - Exchange of views -
Protocol amending the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Gianluca Susta (ALDE) Assent Adoption of draft report Decision - OEIL
Conclusion of a Protocol to the Association Agreement between the EC and Chile to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL) Assent Vote on simplified procedure (Rule 43(1) – without amendment): report Decision - OEIL
Participation of Bulgaria and Romania in the Agreement on Cooperation and Customs Union between the EEC and San Marino tbc Consultation Vote on simplified procedure (Rule 43(1) – without amendment): report Decision - OEIL
Participation of Bulgaria and Romania in the European Economic Area tbc Assent Vote on simplified procedure (Rule 43(1) – without amendment): report Decision - OEIL
Towards a reformed World Trade Organisation - Presentation on the context, objectives, and conclusions of the "Sutherland report" of January 2005 by Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, former Director General of the WTO Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) - Exchange of views on the report -
The role of UNCTAD in promoting the better integration of developing countries in the multilateral trading system - Presentation by Dr Supachai Panitchpadki, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, former Director General of the WTO - - Exchange of views with members. -
IN CAMERA - State of play of ongoing International Trade Negotiations - Exchange of views with representatives of the European Commission
 - - - -
- - - - -
TRAN - Transport and Tourism [ list ] 10-11 September 2007 full agenda committee homepage
-
Airport capacity and ground handling: towards a more efficient policy Anne E. Jensen (ALDE) non legislative Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Communication - OEIL
Interoperability of the Community rail system Josu Ortuondo Larrea (ALDE) codecision first reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Directive - OEIL
Amendment of Directive 2004/49/EC on safety on the Community's railways Paolo Costa (ALDE) codecision first reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Directive - OEIL
Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 881/2004 establishing a European Railway Agency Paolo Costa (ALDE) codecision first reading Consideration of amendments. Adoption of draft report Regulation - OEIL
Air Transport Agreement between the EC and the USA Saïd El Khadraoui (PSE) consultation A