European Parliament session 23-27 October 2000
The European Parliament meets in Strasbourg with the Biarritz EU summit, the 2001 EU budget, food safety and climate change topping the agenda. The Commission will make a statement on floods in Italy and there will be debates on EU action against landmines and on Hong Kong. Agenda in Upcoming Events.
MEPs move to help charity shops
While welcoming proposed new EU legislation designed to crack down on dangerous goods, MEPs on Parliament's Environment and Consumer Policy Committee have voted to exempt charity shops from the new rules. The proposed directive on product safety would require retailers to provide records on all products but MEPs took the view that charity shops or other outlets selling second hand goods would not be in a position to provide information on the risks or the origin of the goods they sold. The new legislation, which updates a 1992 directive, requires that only safe products should be sold and will give member states the power to require producers to recall dangerous goods. Consumers will have the right to know which products are dangerous and what steps have been taken to protect the public. The draft legislation, which is subject to joint decision by MEPs and EU governments, will get a first reading in Parliament in November.
Agreements reached on waste incineration and marine pollution
Delegations representing the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers have reached agreement on new legislation which will impose strict standards on the operation of waste incinerators with a view to reducing pollution. The legislation, which is still subject to the formal approval of both the Parliament and EU ministers, sets out stringent operational conditions and emission limit values for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides. The legislation also requires that the public be better informed about plans for new incinerators. An EU-wide action programme to tackle marine pollution is also set to come into force after agreement between the delegations from Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
European award for Stephen Lawrence's parents
Doreen and Neville Lawrence, parents of Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racist attack, have been named Europeans of the Year in a ceremony at the European Parliament in Brussels. They were presented with the Solidar Silver Rose award in recognition of their fight for justice. Solidar brings together non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in international cooperation and humanitarian aid.