What's coming up in Parliament

Strasbourg Flash - Plenary session 15-18 January 2018

A look ahead to next week's session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Greens/EFA priority issues on the agenda

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 11-14 December 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary week included the adoption of the recommendations after the tax scandal of the Panama Papers; the Green report on European Strategy for low emission transport; Poland and the Bialowieza forest; another Green report on new legislation to regulate EU vessels outside EU waters; the EU summit and Brexit and migration; the Green objection to phosphate additives in kebabs

Disappointing result for consumer rights

Phosphate additives

The European Parliament has just voted on an objection to Commission proposals that would allow phosphates to be used as additives in products such as donor kebabs. The objection, which was co-tabled by Greens/EFA MEP Bart Staes, fell just short of the required absolute majority.

Q&A on phosphate additives in kebab meat

Why the Greens/EFA group is objecting to the Commission's proposals

On Wednesday 13 December, the European Parliament will vote on an objection to Commission proposals that would allow phosphates to be used as additives in products such as donor kebabs. The objection, from Greens/EFA MEP Bart Staes and the S&D’s Christel Schaldemose, is designed to protect public health. The following Q&A should help clarify some of the misconceptions regarding the Commission’s proposals.

Missed opportunity for the Commission to show ambition on climate

CO2 limits for cars

"We need to see much greater ambition if we are to protect our environment and secure the long-term future of Europe’s car industry" says Bas Eickhout.

Framework for an inquiry committee on the renewal of the approval of Glyphosate

A Greens/EFA proposal

26 October - At the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, the Greens/EFA group proposed the establishment of an inquiry committee on glyphosate. The purpose of the committee would be to investigate the handling of the decision-making process for the proposed renewal of glyphosate's licence.

Entry/exit system is unfit for purpose

Passenger data collection

The proposed entry/exit system is unfit for purpose, says Jan Philipp Albrecht.

EU Parliament wants strong data protection for WhatsApp & Co

ePrivacy Regulation

"With few exceptions, internet companies and communication providers should only be able to use the data of users with their consent. Users must be able to trust that their surfing and communication behaviour will not be evaluated or passed on," says Greens/EFA MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht.

A herbicide-free future

Considering solutions across Europe

Alternatives to herbicide in weed management

A report from PAN Europe, commissioned by the Greens/EFA group

The present report aims to emphasise that we already have all the tools necessary to gradually start building a pesticide-free agricultural model and to confirm that weed control is possible using other means than harmful herbicides.

Agroecology explained to children

Parents can watch

Our current food and agricultural system isn't sustainable. Increasingly we get locked in a global production model with high social and environmental costs, mainly in the form of a rapid degradation of biodiversity. There is an urgent need to rethink the global food system. Agroecology is the path towards a more sustainable agricultural and food model.

EU homes need to be renovated to deliver for climate and citizens

Energy performance of buildings

The Greens/EFA group has backed plans to improve energy efficiency in homes that would see considerable environmental, social and health benefits for EU citizens. The European Parliament’s committee on Industry, Research and Energy voted in favour of proposals to improve the energy performance of buildings.