Policy

All our content categorised by clear and simple policy areas

Agriculture & Food All

25 Feb Agriculture & Food

MEPs throw weight behind call to end use of cages for farmed animals in EU

Over 300 million farmed animals are kept in cages each year in the EU.

05 Feb Agriculture & Food

The European Commission’s proposed ban on Aloe sets a dangerous precedent for natural products

With consumers increasingly seeking natural products such as Aloe to remain healthy longer, the European Federation of Associations of Health Products Manufacturers (EHPM) raises important concerns regarding the EU’s scientific evaluation of this botanical. The European Parliament in the ENVI Committee addressed for the first time this topic in an exchange of views on 14 January and voted on an objection on 27 January.

Tech & Research All

02 Mar Tech & Research

Campaign aims to end ‘abuse’ of citizens’ personal data by tech giants

The move comes amid an ongoing bitter dispute between Australia and Facebook.

01 Mar Tech & Research

5G: An essential infrastructure

This pandemic revealed just how crucial the telecommunications sector is to society; it could yet play an even bigger role realising Europe’s vision of a greener, digital future. Jon Benton and Ana Gallego report on a recent webinar on the future of European telecoms.

Industry & Finance All

28 Feb Industry & Finance

European Year of Rail 2021: A year of opportunity

We must take the European Year of Rail 2021 as a chance to create better framework conditions within, and for, rail transport, writes Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg.

15 Feb Industry & Finance

Time to put EU's Coronavirus recovery plan in motion says Portuguese presidency chief

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa tells MEPs that EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility is a ‘vitamin’ to aid Europe's economic revival.

Energy & Climate All

26 Feb Tech & Research

Issue 531 | 1 March 2021

Gracing the cover this issue is Irish EPP deputy Frances Fitzgerald. A staunch defender of women’s rights, Fitzgerald says she believes we are entering a new era of equality, telling deputy editor Lorna Hutchinson that despite recent setbacks, fresh momentum for change is building.

23 Feb Energy & Climate

The next step for fully circular plastic packaging

Traceability and transparent recycled content certification could help Europe achieve a fully circular economy, writes RecyClass Chairman Paolo Glerean.

International & Trade All

26 Feb International & Trade

The Khojaly Genocide: A Crime against Humanity

After almost 30 years, to ensure lasting peace in the Karabakh region, we must not forget such crimes against humanity, writes Konul Nurullayeva.

23 Feb International & Trade

MEPs welcome Parliament’s post-Brexit engagement with younger generations of UK citizens

The European Parliament says it will maintain its presence in the UK, notably through its London office.

Health All

01 Mar Health

Senior MEP voices concern over role EU regions will play in Coronavirus recovery plan

Markus Ferber, a member of Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, takes aim at Member States over their implementation of the EU’s €750bn economic recovery plan.

01 Mar Health

The MEP Lung Health Group: Raising awareness of respiratory diseases across Europe

The group, launched last October, aims to stimulate debate and raise awareness of the risk factors and the complications of respiratory diseases, explains co-chair Željana Zovko.

EU Institutions All

01 Mar EU Institutions

Future of Europe: Putting citizens front and centre

The upcoming Conference on the Future of Europe must put citizens at the heart of the debate, allowing them to set the agenda for discussions on reform, argues Paulo Rangel.

26 Feb Health

MEPs call on pharma companies to increase COVID-19 vaccine production

European Parliament’s Socialist MEPs also want pharmaceutical giants to research against potential future Coronavirus variants and strains.

Justice All

02 Mar Justice

MEPs back proposals requiring firms to comply with human rights and environmental standards

The draft legislative initiative calls on the Commission to urgently present a law that ensures companies are held accountable and liable when they harm - or contribute to harming - human rights, the environment and good governance.

02 Mar Justice

Frances Fitzgerald interview: Breaking down barriers

A staunch defender of women’s rights, Frances Fitzgerald believes we are entering a new era of equality. She tells Lorna Hutchinson that despite recent setbacks, fresh momentum for change is building.

Jobs & Social Rights All

22 Feb Jobs & Social Rights

Plight of Europe’s Roma further exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic

The claim has been made by the Open Society Foundations’ Public Health Programme.

12 Feb EU Institutions

Issue 530 | 15 February 2021

Gracing the cover this issue is Hungarian S&D deputy István Ujhelyi. The Transport and Tourism Committee vice-chair tells deputy editor Lorna Hutchinson why he is confident that the future of the Coronavirus-ravaged transport and tourism sectors will see positive and sustainable change.

Security & Defence All

18 Feb International & Trade

EU national governments need to present a unified front to Russia

The naivety shown to Russia in many European capitals and in Brussels at EU level must cease, at least for the time being, argues Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chair Urmas Paet.

17 Feb International & Trade

Georgia’s democratic transition offers hope for the Black Sea country’s future

Newly-re-elected government in Tbilisi has NATO and EU membership in its sights, explains Former Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra.

Mobility All

02 Mar Mobility

Why SESAR innovation is key to building back better

We need to accelerate collaboration on innovation and the Digital European Sky if we want smarter and more sustainable aviation, say stakeholders Olivier Jankovec,
ACI EUROPE (Airports Council International), Thomas Reynaert, Airlines for Europe (A4E) Tanja Grobotek, Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Europe.

28 Feb Mobility

European Year of Rail 2021: The train gain

Rail transport can be a major contributor to the EU’s climate ambitions, but only if the years of neglect are reversed. Let’s use the European Year of Rail to make that happen, says Martina Michels.

Regions & Cities All

18 Sep Mobility

This year, European Mobility Week takes on special significance, says EC Director General for Mobility & Transport

While taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19, the EU will set out a path to smart and sustainable mobility, writes Henrik Hololei.

30 Jun International & Trade

Georgia on my mind

Georgia is an oasis of democracy, peace and prosperity in an otherwise complex and conflict ridden region. The EU must remain firmly committed to its policy of supporting Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, writes Marina Kaljurand