EUbusiness Week 607 top stories: EU to cap banker bonuses, tighten regulation; EU launches solar glass probe against China; Horse meat scandal shows need for stiffer sanctions; Ministers reach deal on fish discard ban; EU releases EUR 144m for rare disease research; Cutting smoking saves more in health bills than lost tax
This Week’s Top Stories
1. EU to cap banker bonuses, tighten regulation
2. EU launches solar glass probe against China
3. Horse meat scandal shows need for stiffer sanctions
4. Ministers reach deal on fish discard ban
5. EU releases EUR 144m for rare disease research
6. Cutting smoking saves more in health bills than lost tax
Publisher’s Note
The gender pay gap persists. On average, the difference between women and men’s hourly earnings across Europe is 16.2 per cent, according to latest Commission figures, released this week on European Equal Pay Day.
Causes include lower educational and career expectations for girls, undervaluing of women’s skills, slower career progression, and more frequent career breaks where family responsibilities are not equally shared.
Tackling this discrimination is important: closing the gender pay gap not only helps to create a more equal and cohesive society, but, says the Commission, makes good business sense.
More …
Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
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1. EU to cap banker bonuses, tighten regulation
The European Union has agreed new rules that will cap bankers’ bonuses, blamed by critics for helping to drive the global financial crisis but also defended as crucial for the smooth working of the banking system.
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2. EU launches solar glass probe against China
The Commission has launched an anti-dumping probe targeting Chinese exports of solar glass following a complaint filed earlier this month by European manufacturers.
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China breached trade rules over EU scanner duties: WTO
EU slaps anti-dumping duty on mandarins from China
3. Horse meat scandal shows need for stiffer sanctions
Brussels plans stiffer sanctions against food fraud following the discovery of mislabelled ready-made meals across Europe containing horse meat instead of beef, the Health Commissioner said on Thursday.
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EU has open mind on origin labelling on prepared foods
4. Ministers reach deal on fish discard ban
Fisheries ministers agreed Wednesday to implement a ban on discards — the wasteful practice of dumping unwanted fish overboard — by easing quota restrictions, much to the anger of environmental groups.
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5. EU releases EUR 144m for rare disease research
The European Union has pledged 144 million euros of fresh funding for research on rare diseases that currently affect some 30 million Europeans, the majority of them children.
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6. Cutting smoking saves more in health bills than lost tax
The cost and health benefits of getting people not to smoke and, better still, not to start, more than outweigh the taxes the tobacco industry pays to governments, the Commission said on Monday.
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EUROPEAN LAW
Greek shipyard: the Greek government must take back some EUR 310m in aid given to a naval shipyard because the payment breaches EU law, the European Court of Justice has ruled.
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Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law Firms
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Ukraine: Europe on Monday issued Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych a May deadline to convince his EU partners that “selective justice” of the sort meted out to ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko is a thing of the past.
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EU opens door to train Syria rebels
Poland pushes decision on joining euro to after 2015
Van Rompuy warns Britain over referendum plans
Council …
Commission Watch
Farm spending: the Commission said Tuesday it is asking Member States to pay back some 400 million euros in farm funds for non-compliance with EU rules.
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Italy vote is ‘blunt message’ to Brussels against austerity
Britain should reform EU, not retreat: Rehn
Commission …
Parliament Watch
Airline carbon tax: Euro-MPs on Tuesday backed plans to exempt some airline carbon emissions from a controversial tax pending an international accord on an issue which has pitted Europe against the United States and China.
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Italy vote is “message” of protest: EP chief
Euro-MPs, Commission pledge support for new Cyprus leader
Also this week, Latvian officials pressed the case for eurozone membership with MEPs; and MEPs debated proposals to make smoking tobacco less attractive.
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EU diary
5 Mar, Economic and Financial Affairs Council
7-8 Mar, Justice and Home Affairs Council
11-14 Mar, European Parliament plenary session
11 Mar, Foreign Affairs Council
11 Mar, Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council
14-15 Mar, European Council
21 Mar, Environment Council
27-28 Mar, European Parliament plenary session
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary
RESOURCES
EU Law Firms
Summaries of EU Legislation
EU Decision-Making
Treaties of the European Union
Key EU Legal Terms
Other news on EUbusiness this week
Croatia sells struggling shipyard, key for EU entry 28-Feb
EU approves drug that quenches urge to drink alcohol 21-Feb
Dutch deficit to exceed eurozone norm until 2014 28-Feb
EU inflation eases to ECB 2.0% target in January 28-Feb
EU-IMF report draft blasts Greece on tax collection 28-Feb
EU to resume Pakistan fish imports after six years 28-Feb
EU turns down Ryanair again on Aer Lingus takeover 27-Feb
