International Trade (INTA) Committee recently endorsed a proposed EU concession to help conclude the 20-year hormone beef trade war with the USA and Canada. “This will be a win-win resolution, as the EU keeps its ban on hormone treated beef imports without disadvantaging European agricultural products  while the USA and Canada gain a very useful quota fortheir non-hormone treated beef" exports, stated rapporteur Godelieve Quisthoudt-Rowohl (EPP, DE).

Based on the European Commission's 'Low Carbon Roadmap', the European Parliament recently adopted a report on EU climate change policy.  The roadmap calls for a reduction of EU greenhouse gas emissions. While the target by 2030 is to reduce these by over 40%, by 2050 the aim is 80%. The call by MEPs to 'retire' EU emissions permits, with the aim of addressing problems with the EU's emissions trading scheme, was met with approval by the Greens.

As new forms of chemical pollution could threaten improvements in water quality, the Commission proposes to add 15 chemicals to the current 33 pollutants that are controlled in EU surface waters. The 15 substances include industrial chemicals as well as substances used in biocides, pharmaceuticals and plant protection products. The selection has been made on the basis of scientific evidence that these may pose a significant risk to health. Janez Potočnik, Environment Commissioner has welcomed this advance as “it is clearly answering people's expectations”

Following the statements of EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and the presentation of the communication "Trade, growth and development", the European Commission (EC) presents this week a series of proposals to make trade and development instruments work conjointly to ensure real poverty reduction across the world. The proposals notably aim at reinforcing the trade capacities of developing countries by making trade part of their development strategy.

Elizabeth Simbrão, Angolan ambassador to Belgium and the European Union,  has recently bid farewell to her colleagues of South Africa, Anil Sooklal, and Zambia, Inonge Bikusita-Lwanika. On the occasion, the diplomat, in her capacity as the coordinator of the group of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), said she is determined to reinforce this regional group's position.