Conflict minerals

Binding rules agreed, as EU takes problem seriously

The European Parliament and Council today reached a political agreement on a new EU regulation aimed at tackling the problem of conflict minerals by introducing transparency provisions. Commenting on the outcome, Green development spokesperson Judith Sargentini said: “This deal is a breakthrough i...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 6-9 June 2016

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg plenary included: Glyphosate: decision on extending the controversial substance; Food security and a fair food supply chain; Watering down EU rules on financial speculation; legal EU migration tainted by outsourcing to 3rd countries; Tobacco, health and the role of industry: international rules; Panama Papers: EP inquiry into tax evasion and money laundering in the EU; EU Commission refusing to act on health-damaging chemicals; Preventing further approvals of GMOs; MEPs demand regulation on open, efficient and independent EU administration.

CETA

Luxembourg parliament resolution demands legal clarification, not ready to vote on deal

The Luxembourg parliament voted in support of a resolution on the EU-Canada deal CETA on Tuesday (June 8), that calls upon the government to seek legal clarification on the investor rights provisions in the agreement. It also demands that CETA is a “mixed deal” requiring ratification in Member State parliaments once these legal irregularities have been addressed.

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

LIVE press conference 7 June 10:30-10:50

Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts present the key issues of the plenary session and of the European agenda for the Greens/EFA group

EU funding for New Alliance ignores murky world of land-grabs and human rights violations

On the face of it, the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition looks like an extremely worthy project: encouraging private investment in African farming to help improve food production and reduce hunger and poverty.

Lost in Translation

Back-room debates about the impact of trade secrets on whistle-blowers shows urgent need for EU wide whistle-blower protection

Today, unfortunately, the controversial Trade Secrets directive was formally adopted by the Council, but only after several delays due to disagreements over how specifically to translate a key provision in the text: the word "wrongdoing".

Trade agreements

EU-Canada trade agreement must not be applied before full democratic ratification process

EU trade ministers will meet tomorrow (13 May) with the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA) on the top of their agenda. Commenting ahead of the Trade Council, Green trade spokesperson Yannick Jadot stated: "There are legitimate concerns that the European Commission and EU governments in favour ...

China/trade

EU should not consider China as market economy if criteria not met

The European Parliament today adopted a resolution setting out its position on the question of market economy status for China. After the vote, Green spokesperson on China Reinhard Bütikofer stated: "All the evidence makes clear that China is not a market economy. The EU therefore has no reaso...

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

LIVE press conference 10 May 10:30-10:50

Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts present the key issues of the plenary session and of the European agenda for the Greens/EFA group