Brussels Agenda
Greens/EFA priorities and events 2-6 November 2009
EU agenda priorities and planned events for the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament:
Greens/EFA priorities
Tuesday:
- Trialogue on energy efficiency labelling
The EU's clear and colourful A-G scale of energy efficiency labelling for household appliances has been undermined by a flat refusal to rescale according to improved technical standards. The introduction of A+ and A++ grades has already muddied the waters. Led by a handful of Member States, Council is now mulling a ridiculous proposal to allow up to "A++++" - and possibly beyond - which would make a mockery of the system and its intended aim to provide comparable information for consumers.
Greens/EFA shadow: Satu Hassi
Wednesday:
- Emissions trading
The EP environment committee will vote on an objection to a draft Commission decision, which qualifies around 77% of non-power sector emissions covered by the Emissions Trading System as being exposed to significant risk of 'carbon leakage' - making these sectors eligible for 100% free allocation of emissions allowances. - Telecoms conciliation
While MEPs voted overwhelmingly for internet users' fundamental rights before the elections, Parliament's negotiators are now under pressure to compromise with Council. Greens/EFA will continue to insist that EU legislation draws the line at the type of draconian copyright enforcement measures envisaged by the French HADOPI law or Peter Mandelson in the UK.
Greens/EFA Conciliation committee delegates: Philippe Lamberts, Christian Engström
Thursday:
- Bluefin tuna
The Greens will closely follow the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICAAT) meeting, which runs from 5-15 November in Recife, Brazil. ICAAT has a dire conservation record but last week's scientific support to list bluefin tuna in Appendix 1 of the CITES list of endangered species gives cause for hope.
Green MEP: Raül Romeva
Greens/EFA events
Written Declaration on wine tourism
Tuesday, 3 November 2009, 18.00
Room ASP 5E1, European Parliament, Brussels
> A presentation of the written declaration that proclaims the European year of wine tourism, with the 'RECEVIN' network of wine cities and MEP co-authors Raül Romeva, Carlos Coelho and Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos.
Media launch: Save the primates documentary
Wednesday, 4 November 2009, 18.30-19.30
Room PHS 4B001, European Parliament, Brussels
> Trialogue discussions are underway to consider the restriction on areas where primates can be used in research and whether to end the trapping of wild monkeys by dealers. With Council due to reach a common position in two weeks, Green MEP Raül Romeva co-hosts this event - in cooperation with NGO Animal Defenders International - to provide an update on the progress of the new Directive on use of animals in experiments and to screen new documentary evidence of misuse of primates in research.
Further information at: www.savetheprimates.com
Lunchtime debate: GMO-free food and feed
Thursday, 5 November 2009, 12.00-14.00
Room PHS 5B001, European Parliament, Brussels
> With the current evaluation of EU Regulation 1829/2003 in mind, Green MEP Martin Häusling and ALDE MEP Corinne Lepage host this lunchtime debate, entitled "GMO-free food and feed: An economic opportunity for European producers". Interpretation will be available in English, French and German.
