Ending food double standards – EUbusiness Week newsletter 800 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 800 top stories: Brexit talks at an impasse, says EU’s Barnier; MEPs back law for more energy-efficient buildings; Brussels pushes ahead with banking risk-reduction package; Pesticides must be checked for harmful chemicals: MEPs; EU states set for talks on new telecoms rules, 5G; Sweden EU’s top performer on gender equality

Publisher’s Note

Double standards in the quality of food sold in the EU came under the spotlight this week, at an EU Parliament hearing and a summit today. The issue: consumers in some central and eastern EU countries being sold food of a lower quality than the same products in the same packaging in Western Europe.

There is room for adjusting products to local tastes and preferences. But selling substandard, often less healthy products at the same or higher prices is insulting to consumers, illegal and not what the single market is for.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. Brexit talks at an impasse, says EU’s Barnier

The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator called for trust and respect from the United Kingdom Thursday, as he confirmed he could not recommend a start on discussions on future UK-EU relations to next week’s Council summit.
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EU, UK clarify position to WTO on tariff quotas post-Brexit

2. MEPs back law for more energy-efficient buildings

MEPs in committee gave their backing Wednesday to a revision of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aiming to ensure that all new buildings in the EU are as energy-efficient as possible by 2050.
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3. Brussels pushes ahead with banking risk-reduction package

A financial system more stable and resilient to shocks will benefit citizens and businesses, the Commission said as it outlined plans to accelerate completion of the Banking Union.
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4. Pesticides must be checked for harmful chemicals: MEPs

MEPs at a public hearing Wednesday discussed the EU risk assessment of the herbicide glyphosate, demanding that pesticides be checked for endocrine disrupting chemicals.
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Member States have signalled their readiness to begin talks with the Euro-Parliament on new rules for the electronic communications sector to prepare Europe for the era of 5G.
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Gender equality in Europe is progressing at a snail’s pace, according to an updated Gender Equality Index which shows Sweden as the top-performing country and Greece at the bottom.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Tax disputes: EU finance ministers gave their green light Tuesday to a new system for resolving resolve tax disputes between Member States, including over double taxation, seen as a major obstacle for businesses.
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Inside the EU Institutions

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20 states set up EU prosecutor’s office – 2018 catch limits in the Baltic Sea agreed – Free WiFi4EU internet hotspots: final go-ahead – Capital markets union: New venture capital rules adopted – Closer cooperation and reinforced solidarity to ensure security of gas supply – Open data creates better digital services for citizens
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Commission Watch

Fifth round of Article 50 talks with UK – assistance for the stabilisation of Iraq – sales of farmland guidelines – UN Sustainable Development Goals – Eurostat figures: industrial production, house prices, air passenger transport – battery development and production in Europe – Banking Union – sale and restructuring of Novo Banco – new rules to resolve tax disputes – using pesticides more sustainably – Macro-Financial Assistance to Tunisia – Investment Plan for Europe
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Parliament Watch

Better protection and durable solution for refugees – Monsanto papers and glyphosate: lessons for the EU – Buildings in the EU: highly energy-efficient and money-saving by 2050 – Concerns over “dual quality” food products – MEPs advocate trust fund for Eastern partners – Debate on EU-Serbia ties – New watchdog over EU police cooperation
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EU diary

16 Oct: Harnessing research and innovation for FOOD 2030
16 Oct: e-health reforms
16-19 Oct: Young European Council
16-19 Oct: European Parliament Committee Meetings
16 Oct: Foreign Affairs Council
16-18 Oct: Aviation: effective safety management
17 Oct: Competitiveness Council
17 Oct: General Affairs Council
17-18 Oct: Going digital for a safe and secure Europe
17-18 Oct: Conference on innovation procurement
19-20 Oct: European Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary