Latest Announcements
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:27
Commission Refers Italy To Court For Failure To Recover Incompatible Aid From Italian Metal Producers
The European Commission has referred Italy to the Court of Justice for not complying with a Commission decision of 23 February 2011 (see IP/11/215) finding that subsidised electricity tariffs that Italy had granted to metal producers Portovesme, ILA and Eurallumina were incompatible with EU state aid rules and needed to be recovered from the beneficiaries. To date, Italy has not implemented this decision.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:26
Commission Orders Sweden To Recover Incompatible Aid From Property Sale By Municipality Of Vänersborg
The European Commission has concluded that the sale of a food processing facility from the Swedish municipality of Vänersborg to the real estate company Hammar Nordic Plugg is incompatible with EU state aid rules. Since the sale was not carried out at market conditions, it gives the company an undue economic advantage over its competitors. The Commission has therefore ordered Sweden to recover SEK 14.5 million (around € 1.61 million) from the beneficiary.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:26
Commission Investigates Potential State Aid At La Rochelle Airport In France
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether financial arrangements between public authorities and the airport of La Rochelle (France), as well as rebates and marketing agreements concluded between this airport and some of the airlines using it, are in line with EU state aid rules. The opening of proceedings gives interested third parties an opportunity to submit comments on the measures under assessment; it does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:26
Commission Approves Austrian Support Scheme For Renewable Energies "2012 Green Electricity Act"
The European Commission has found an Austrian scheme to support the production of energy from renewable sources in line with EU state aid rules, in particular because it creates incentives for an increased use of renewable energy while containing safeguards to limit distortions of competition. The scheme is designed to assist Austria in reaching by 2020 the mandatory national renewable energy target set under EU legislation.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:22
SWITCH-Asia –Promoting Sustainable Consumption And Production In Asia
Today marks the European Launch of the UN Year of Sustainable Energy for All. Following a two-day seminar on SWITCH-Asia, a grants programme funded through the EU Development Cooperation Instrument, Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik and Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs concluded:
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:22
Race Against Time To Avert Hunger In The Sahel
The European Commission is scaling up its humanitarian assistance to €123.5 million for the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa where 12 million people are at risk of hunger.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:22
New EU Rules For ‘Organic Wine’ Agreed
New EU rules for “organic wine” have been agreed in the Standing Committee on Organic Farming (SCOF), and will be published in the Official Journal in the coming weeks. With the new regulation, which will apply from the 2012 harvest, organic wine growers will be allowed to use the term “organic wine” on their labels. The labels must also show the EU-organic-logo and the code number of their certifier, and must respect other wine labelling rules. Although there are already rules for “wine made from organic grapes”, these do not cover wine-making practices, i.e. the whole process from grape to wine. Wine is the one remaining sector not fully covered by the EU rules on organic farming standards under Regulation 834/2007.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:22
MEMO On Organic Wine Rules - Frequently Asked Questions
What does "organic" mean?
"Organic" farming relates to agricultural production systems that seek to provide the consumer with fresh, tasty and authentic food while respecting natural life-cycle systems. Typical organic practices include: strict limits on chemical pesticides and fertilisers, appropriate livestock farming practices (e.g. free range or open air systems, primarily organic feed), a strict ban on the use of Genetically-Modified Organisms, limits on processing aids and food additives.
"Organic" farming relates to agricultural production systems that seek to provide the consumer with fresh, tasty and authentic food while respecting natural life-cycle systems. Typical organic practices include: strict limits on chemical pesticides and fertilisers, appropriate livestock farming practices (e.g. free range or open air systems, primarily organic feed), a strict ban on the use of Genetically-Modified Organisms, limits on processing aids and food additives.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:22
Member States React Swiftly To Bulgaria’s Request For Assistance For Fighting Floods And Harsh Winter Conditions
Despite dealing with severe winter conditions at home, European countries have responded swiftly to Bulgaria’s request for assistance to fight floods and prevent further damage from the severe winter that has engulfed much of the country. Several dams are overflowing in Bulgaria due to the heavy snow of the past few days. On Monday, 6 February, a wall of the Ivanovo dam broke and the released water inundated the village of Biser in South Eastern Bulgaria. Other towns in the region are also in danger of flooding.
Thu, 2012-02-09 11:22
EU At Risk On Missing Targets On Early School Leaving And Graduate Education
The European Union is at risk of missing its 2020 targets to reduce the number of early-school leavers and increase the share of students completing tertiary education, according to a report which will be discussed by Ministers at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council on Friday (10 February).
