EUbusiness Week 538 top stories: Europe lashes out at credit rating agencies; Roaming charges to drop in Europe for smartphones, tablets; WTO calls on EU to phase out crisis state aid; No more impunity for EU cross-border traffic offences; EU bans E.coli-linked Egyptian fenugreek; Rights agency shines light on irregular domestic workers
This Week’s Top Stories
1. Europe lashes out at credit rating agencies
2. Roaming charges to drop in Europe for smartphones, tablets
3. WTO calls on EU to phase out crisis state aid
4. No more impunity for EU cross-border traffic offences
5. EU bans E.coli-linked Egyptian fenugreek
6. Rights agency shines light on irregular domestic workers
Publisher’s Note
Consumers will see a new set of compulsory labels on food following a vote in the European Parliament this week. The Regulation on Food Information will give Europeans clear information on the nutritional and energy content of products, allergens and country-of-origin, with minimum font sizes.
The rules are a boost for consumer empowerment. They should also contribute to the fight against rising levels of obesity and chronic diseases in the EU. While they do not go as far as some wanted – omitting a traffic light scheme and nutritional information on the front of the pack – the labels are seen as a significant step forward, for both consumers and businesses.
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Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
EUROFFICE Euroffice, the UK’s largest supplier of stationery and office supplies online, selling to the UK and Italy – have sold to over 220,000 small businesses and will not be beaten on price. |
1. Europe lashes out at credit rating agencies
Europe launched a barrage of fire at credit ratings agencies Wednesday after efforts to resolve the eurozone’s debt crisis were plunged into new turmoil by a severe downgrade of Portugal’s debt.
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S&P fires warning at Greek debt deal
2. Roaming charges to drop in Europe for smartphones, tablets
The high roaming costs of using smartphones and tablets across the European Union are to be slashed under a new plan to give users greater choice in a more competitive, regulated market.
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3. WTO calls on EU to phase out crisis state aid
The World Trade Organization has called on the European Union to phase out state aid to the private sector during the financial crises, so as not to hinder long-term restructuring.
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4. No more impunity for EU cross-border traffic offences
European motorists committing serious traffic offences are to be tracked down soon across the 27 EU nations following the endorsement Wednesday of a new road safety plan by the European Parliament.
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5. EU bans E.coli-linked Egyptian fenugreek
The EU has banned Egyptian fenugreek seeds linked to E.coli outbreaks in Germany and France and slapped a temporary ban on the import of all seeds and beans from the country.
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The Fundamental Rights Agency has called for broader rights for domestic workers in the EU to counteract the frequent abuse of irregular migrants employed in domestic work.
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EUROPEAN CASE LAW
Carbon caps: US airlines have taken their battle against the EU’s emissions cap to court, arguing that charging foreign companies for carbon permits violates international agreements.
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WikiLeaks delays complaint against Visa, Mastercard
Top German court hears complaints against EU bailouts
Latest Court of Justice judgements
Official Journal latest issues
EU Law …
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Presidency: Poland has painted itself as a saviour of the European project, while accusing fellow member states of selfishness and short-sightedness, as it began its six-month presidency of the EU.
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Poland launches diplomatic ties with Libya rebels
Stormy end to Hungary’s tumultuous EU presidency
Council …
Commission Watch
Danish customs: the Commission says it will closely monitor Denmark’s controversial deployment of customs agents to ensure it does not violate the European Union’s open border rules.
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French Commissioner resists EU fish quota shake-up
EU to provide emergency food aid to North Korea
Barroso wants British rebate replaced with lump sum
Commission …
Euro-Parliament Watch
Airport scanners: Parliament has backed the deployment of body scanners at airports, on condition that travellers have the right to refuse to walk through the controversial machines.
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Euro-MPs fear impact of cut in EU food aid
EU, Austria mourn death of Otto von Habsburg
This week, Parliament’s group leaders endorsed a new Code of Conduct for MEPs. In plenary, Euro-MPs pronounced themselves against the reintroduction of border controls; said the EU must maintain strict controls on mad cow disease: and called for quotas for women in the top management of the largest listed EU companies.
Parliament …
EU diary
7-8 Jul, Employment and Social Policy Ministers’ Informal
11 Jul, Eurogroup meeting
11-12 Jul, Informal meeting of Environment Ministers
14 Jul, Informal Meeting of Ministers for Development
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
Private creditors meet in Rome on Greek debt crisis 7-Jul
Credit card donations to WikiLeaks possible again 7-Jul
OECD joins criticism of rating agencies 7-Jul
Spain claims EUR 80m for cucumber crisis 6-Jul
Germany, France and Poland form EU battlegroup 5-Jul
Eurozone growth indicator weaker than forecast 5-Jul
EU drops cartel fines against BASF, Elementis 4-Jul
10 pct of European insurers fail stress test: regulator 4-Jul
