Biodiversity

Plastic bags

Historic deal on new rules a breakthrough for tackling plastic waste

A deal on new EU rules to reduce plastic bag use, which was reached between the European Parliament and Council this week, was today confirmed by representative of EU governments. The new rules oblige EU governments to adopt measures to drastically reduce the use of single-use plastic carrier bags. ...

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GMO authorisation

'No must mean no', as MEPs vote to strengthen GMO opt-outs for member states and regions

The European Parliament's environment committee today voted on a proposal for a new scheme for the authorisation of genetically-modified organisms in the EU (1). The vote by MEPs strengthens the grounds on which member states or regions could opt-out from GMO authorisations under the proposed new sy...

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Lithuanian Government shall not force unsafe shale gas technologies

Letter from MEPs to Lithuanian authorities

Today, 10 October, over 30 Members of the European Parliament in their letter have addressed the President, Chair of the Seimas (Parliament) and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania expressing their concern about allegedly launched shale gas initiatives in Lithuania. Bronis Ropė MEP (Gre...

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Our health and food in safe hands?

Green MEP Bas Eickhout assesses the EP hearing of Vytenis Andriukaitis, commissioner-designate for health and food safety

Green MEP Bas Eickhout gives a generally positive assessment of the EP hearing with Vytenis Andriukaitis and health and food safety under the new Commission. What was your overall impression of how commissioner-designate Andriukaitis performed? He clearly is very comm...

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Fit for the job of environment and fisheries commissioner?

Greens/EFA assessment of Karmenu Vella, following his EP hearing

Greens/EFA environment spokesperson Bas Eickhout and fisheries spokesperson Isabella Lövin give their assessment of the European Parliament hearing with Karmenu Vella, EU commissioner-designate for the environment and fisheries. What is your impression of how Commissioner-...

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Environmental legislation and the Troika

Open letter to President Juncker on evidence in WWF report

The recent WWF report regarding environmental legislation in Greece highlights how legal and political safeguards for environmental protection have been seriously damaged by Troika policies. This report is yet more evidence of the failures of the short sighted economic policies driven by the...

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Fisheries and nature under Team Juncker

Green MEP Isabella Lövin expresses concern at the downgraded commitment to nature and environment protection

So, overall, are you happy with the proposal from Jean Claude Juncker? I am worried about the direction the new Commission seems to be taking. My overall impression is that there is a clear risk that both environmental and fisheries policy is demoted and that Jean-Claude Juncker is putting more emp...

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Climate and energy policy under Team Juncker

Green MEP Claude Turmes gives a gloomy initial assessment

So, overall, are you happy with the proposal from Jean Claude Juncker? I am not particularly happy with the proposal from Jean-Claude Juncker. The structure he has proposed for the new Commission appears to be based on promoting an outdated approach of economic growth at the cost of the environmen...

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GMO authorisation

Greek compromise is Trojan horse for GMOs in Europe

EU environment ministers meeting in Luxembourg today approved proposals for a new scheme for the authorisation of genetically-modified organisms. Commenting on the Environment Council, Green food safety spokesperson Bart Staes said: “The compromise on revising the EU process for GMO authorisation...

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Green Quiz

Take up the challenge !

Will you be able to answer key questions on ecology, food, climate, employment and youth issues? Are you more of a newbie than a real activist? Test your Green knowledge!

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Join the Food Revolution Newsletter

Issue n°3 April 2014

IN THIS ISSUE - Revision Organic Farming Regulation: Reaction to EU organic label proposals - Food and feed law: learning from past mistakes to improve transparency and independence of controls. - Give Bees a Chance Action week: counter the industry pro-pesticide propaganda. - Caritas Europa Food Report: The EU role to end hunger by 2025 Your Guide to EU Funding: focus on the instruments for Rural and Coastal development - Every month food actors who joined the 'Join the Food Revolution' network share their story, showing the way to take back control over your plate – - Upcoming Events

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Plastic waste

Single-use plastic bags need binding EU reduction targets according to EP vote

The European Parliament today voted on new EU legislation aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastic carrier bags. The Greens welcomed the outcome, which would significantly strengthen proposals from the European Commission, with Green MEP Margrete Auken, the parliament's rapporteur/draftsperso...

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