Strasbourg Flash

Weekly preview of the Greens/EFA group - 14 - 18 January 2013

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary include tackling youth unemployment in Europe, Biopiracy and indigenous genetic resources, Regulating credit rating agencies, Corruption and misuse of EU funds, the controversial economic agreement with southern Africa and working conditions in Asia and EU retailers

EU patent system

Eva Lichtenberger

Cacique Raouni

Opposing the Belo Monte dam in the Amazon

Twenty-five years after his last campaign, the Cacique Raoni returned to Europe to mobilise key political leaders against major risks posed by the mammoth dam project of Belo Monte. Green MEPs Eva Joly, Catherine Grèze and Ulrike Luncacek hosted a Press conference in the European Parliament in S...

Intellectual property and genetic resources

MEPs take stand against biopiracy

The European Parliament's development committee today adopted a report by Green rapporteur/draftsperson Catherine Grèze on the intellectual property rights of genetic resources in developing countries. Commenting after the vote Catherine Grèze said: "Biopiracy is a major problem in developing...

Free Trade Agreements and human rights

the EU's double standards

In its meeting today, the European Parliament's Development Committee rejected the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement between Eastern and Southern African States and the EU. This vote is a clear signal against the EU's trade policy at the expense of ACP countries' development agenda. In her ...

Guardians of the forests?

09.10.2012

10 years of EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade

Deforestation and illegal logging, particularly in rain forest regions, threatens large scale biodiversity loss and serious adverse impacts on the global climate. For more than 10 years Brussels has been working on a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem. This international seminar looks at achievements and challenges to date by celebrating ten years of ‘FLEGT’ and looking ahead.

Accounting transparency

EP votes for transparency on companies' activities key for ethical operation in developing countries

Crucial new draft EU legislation on accounting and transparency was voted on by the legal affairs committee in the European Parliament today (1). The Greens welcomed the support of MEPs for greater transparency on companies' activities, notably for project reporting and on payments to governments, ...

Biopiracy

Dr.Vandana Shiva

Syria

EU must boost humanitarian aid to Syria

Commenting on the acute humanitarian crisis in Syria and its neighbouring countries, Greens foreign affairs spokesperson Franziska Brantner (MEP, Germany) said: "The acute humanitarian situation in Syria requires a dramatic response from the international community and the EU. With aid organis...

Hello Democracy, Goodbye ACTA

"Trade" Agreement defeated after long campaign by Greens

After many years of campaigning by the Greens, the ACTA agreement was finally rejected by the European Parliament. It is a victory for the Citizens of Europe who contacted their MEPs, signed the petitions and marched in the streets. The Greens/EFA group will continue keep a close eye on developments, keep citizens informed and fight for internet freedom and digital rights.

ACTA anti-counterfeiting agreement

ACTA consigned to history; EU must now start honest debate on IPR protection

The European Parliament today voted to refuse its consent to the ratification of the ACTA anti-counterfeiting trade agreement by the European Union (1). The vote to reject ACTA effectively ends the prospect of the EU acceding to the treaty. The Greens/EFA group, which has been active on ACTA since t...

RIO + 20 Diary

Game over already? Emerging analysis

It was strange for ministers to land to discover what appeared to be an already agreed document. Some countries arrived with the intention of negotiating at ministerial level, which would have increased political ownership. The NGO community was very clear that the text as it stood was completely out of touch with reality, lacking mention of planetary boundaries and tipping points and thereby making a joke of the title, 'the future we want'.