| This weblog shares information on key ACP-EU programmes and events from Brussels relevant to agriculture and rural development in ACP countries. Date : [DATE] CTA Brussels Newsletter Main events in the week
- Main ACP-EU events for next week (21-27 September)
- 23rd September: 'Opportunities and challenges for SMEs in agriculture in ACP countries'
- South Africa - European Union summit
- MEP Delegation visits Senegal
- Climate change: EC sets out global finance blueprint
- European Parliament approves Barroso 2nd term
- Africa: developing countries brace for tougher fishing regime
- Global Health to be a focus for European Commission
- New international Fairtrade Towns website launched
- East African Region attend 10th EDF Intra-ACP Strategy
- EFSA: work on cumulative effects of pesticides
- European Commission moving towards new framework for lobbyists
- Cattle slaughter system in EU still imperfect
- International Cooperation with Africa in FP6
- A European strategy for marine and maritime research
- Whither EC Aid (WECA) Compendium
- West African traders reject EPA
- Major tasks for the EU in next six months
- Karel De Gucht visits humanitarian projects in Zimbabwe
- IOC: ICT Support Programme
- EU policymaking: Rooted in science?
- EPAs will provide Africa with "Better Export Opportunities"
- Mauritius sugar producers consider merger
- UK Update on Efforts on Food Policy
- Main ACP-EU events for next week (21-27 September)
2009-09-17
European Parliament : - 21-25 September External Parliamentary Activities EU Presidency (Brussels): - 21 September: CODEV; Special Committee on Agriculture - 22 September: ACP Working Party (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) - 23 September: Coreper I and II; Codex Alimentarius Working Party - 24 September: Working Party on Fisheries Policy; CODEV; Agricultural questions ACP Secretariat (Brussels): - 21 September: Joint S/C meetings on Political and S/C on Sustainable development - 22 September: S&T Programme Steering Committee; W/G on Fisheries - 23 September: S/C on Sustainable Development; Committee of Ambassadors - 24 September: SADC Meeting; Consultative Group on Sugar 23rd September: “Upgrading to compete in a globalised world: what opportunities and challenges for SMEs in agriculture in ACP countries?" For more information please consult the calendar on our webpage http://brussels.cta.int/
- 23rd September: 'Opportunities and challenges for SMEs in agriculture in ACP countries'
2009-09-17 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Rural development, Archive, Aid effectiveness
The next Brussels Development Briefing will be held in Brussels on 23rd September 2009 from 8h30 to 13h00 on “Upgrading to compete in a globalised world: What opportunities and challenges for SMEs in agriculture in ACP countries?” (Venue: European Commission, Centre Borschette, Rue Froissart 36, Room 1D). This Briefing will discuss the effects of the financial and food crisis on enterprises in developing countries and also the opportunities this can provide to link local SMEs to global economies. Experts will also discuss investment programmes needed to support SMEs in order to promote growth and investments, upgrade and upscale SMEs to reach regional and exports markets. This session will also share concrete examples of SMEs being successful by boosting innovation and technology, processing, value-addition, infrastructure upgrading. Read more Programme Registration form
- South Africa - European Union summit
2009-09-17
Positive signs emerged from last week’s summit between SA and the European Union at Kleinmond that they could be closer to resolving their differences about an economic partnership agreement (EPA) between the EU and the southern African regional community.The EPA is expected to improve the terms of trade between southern African countries and the EU and strengthen regional integration, in line with the formation of other regional trading blocs. But aligning the interests of economies at different stages of development has proven difficult. Last week’s summit took place while SA and its Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) partners were at odds on signing an EPA with the EU. SA, which has a trade, development and co-operation agreement with the EU, has refused to sign an EPA because of dissent on certain issues, although some of the other members of Sacu have signed. The issue is expected to be on the agenda of the Sacu council meeting in Swaziland on Thursday and Friday. In a briefing note ahead of the summit, South African Institute of International Affairs researcher Romy Chevallier said that the EU was the Southern African Development Community’s biggest trading partner. In 2006 the EU exported about 4,5bn of goods, mainly agricultural and primary products, to the region while it imported 2,8bn of goods, mainly diamonds, petroleum, fish, beef and sugar. Source: Business Day Read more Read more (2) More about SACU
- MEP Delegation visits Senegal
2009-09-17
The signing of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) looks likely to occur in October. Although the negotiations between the European Union and ECOWAS are now less tense, the Senegalese private sector continues to emphasize the need for sticking points to be resolved. That is precisely what the CNP or Conseil National du Patronat (National Employers’ Body) did during talks with members of the European Parliament on Monday 14 September. When receiving the delegation of MEPs visiting Dakar from 14 to 16 September 2009 for a parliamentary fact-finding mission on the subject of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the European Union and the countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, the CNP seized the chance to spell out its opinions on the free trade agreement. Source: sudonline.sn Read more EC delegation to Senegal EU relations with Senegal
- Climate change: EC sets out global finance blueprint
2009-09-16 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Environment, Archive
The European Commission today put forward a blueprint for scaling up international finance to help developing countries combat climate change. This initiative aims to maximise the chances of concluding an ambitious global climate change agreement at the December U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen. By 2020 developing countries are likely to face annual costs of around €100 billion to mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Much of the finance needed will have to come from domestic sources and an expanded international carbon market, but international public financing of some €22-50 billion a year is also likely to be necessary. The Commission proposes that industrialised nations and economically more advanced developing countries should provide this public financing in line with their responsibility for emissions and ability to pay. This could mean an EU contribution of some €2-15 billion a year by 2020, assuming an ambitious agreement is reached in Copenhagen. Source: European Commission Read more CTA Briefing on climate change CTA Reader on climate change
- European Parliament approves Barroso 2nd term
2009-09-16
The European Parliament has approved the appointment of José Manuel Barroso as President of the European Commission for a second term. Mr Barroso was elected by 382 votes in favour, 219 against and 117 abstentions in a vote held by secret ballot on Wednesday. The approval required a simple majority of the votes as the vote took place under the rules of the Nice Treaty. Source: European Parliament Read more Read more (2) Barroso website
- Africa: developing countries brace for tougher fishing regime
2009-09-16 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Regional Fisheries
A little-known European Union regulation coming into force January next year could have a major impact on the health of fishing industries in developing countries, according to a new study. The EU is the single largest consumer of fish in the world, accounting for around 40 per cent of global imports. Such is the continent's appetite for aquatic life, the cumulative net fish exports from developing countries now exceed earnings from coffee, bananas and rubber. But near-unfettered access to the European market for developing countries is set to end with the adoption of new legislation to help eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices and ensure the sustainability of worldwide fish stocks. The IUU Regulation - to be implemented from January 2010 - puts in place strict conditions on countries that want to maintain access to the lucrative European market. Source: allafrica.com Read more CTA Briefing on IUU fishing CTA Reader on IUU
- Global Health to be a focus for European Commission
2009-09-16 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment, Archive
The European Commission is working on a Communication covering all aspects of Global Health. It will hold a public consultation on the topic this autumn and plans to adopt the Communication at the start of 2010 to allow the Spanish Presidency of the EU to chair discussions upon it. Three departments of the European Commission will each draft a paper to accompany the overall Communication. The issues addressed being global health equity, global health coherence and global health knowledge. Source: European Public Health Alliance Read more DG for Health
- New international Fairtrade Towns website launched
2009-09-16 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Environment, Food Security
A new International Fairtrade Towns website has been launched on July 14 by the Fairtrade Foundation with partners across Europe. The new website is aimed at connecting nearly 700 Fairtrade towns in 18 countries, by combining information about the history of Fairtrade Towns internationally, a Google map, the latest news and events, as well as downloadable resources and tools. An interactive social networking section is to be present, where campaigners can share ideas through forums and discussion groups. It's currently available in eight languages and is part of a three-year European Union funded Fairtrade Towns in Europe project launched in 2007. Source: Green Planet Read more CTA Briefing on Fair Trade CTA Reader on Fair Trade
- East African Region attend 10th EDF Intra-ACP Strategy
2009-09-15
The 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Intra-ACP Strategy and Multi-annual Indicative Programme (2008-2013) workshop for the East African Region was held in Brussels recently and attended by ambassadors and representatives of the region, the European Commission and the ACP Secretariat. The Coordinator of the East African Region and the Ambassador of Seychelles, H.E Mr. Barry Faure, said the purpose of the workshop was to give his region an opportunity to discuss with the ACP Secretariat and the European Commission the status of programming and implementation of the Intra-ACP Strategy Paper and Multi-annual Indicative Programme signed on 13 March 2009. He said that the information would help the East African Region to better position itself to have access to the funds. Source: ACP Secretariat Read more More about EDF
- EFSA: work on cumulative effects of pesticides
2009-09-15 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Archive
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the results of on-going work to develop methodologies to assess the cumulative effects resulting from consumer exposure to pesticides. The work looks at a group of pesticides that have similar chemical structure and toxic effects to see if their impact on human health can be assessed collectively rather than just on an individual basis.
Source: EFSA Read more More about EFSA Scientific opinion
- European Commission moving towards new framework for lobbyists
2009-09-15
It looks as if the institutional context has eclipsed the Swedish Presidency’s goal of increasing transparency. However, this does not preclude new developments with respect to the register of Brussels lobbyists. Before taking over the Presidency the Swedes announced their intention to make transparency one of the priorities of their programme, but because of the Irish rejection of the Lisbon Treaty last year the ratification of that Treaty and the appointment of the new President and members of the European Commission are now set to dominate the Swedish Presidency agenda, explained Mr. Spencer. “A good Presidency adapts to changing circumstances», he added. Source: Euractiv Read more Read more (2)
- Cattle slaughter system in EU still imperfect
2009-09-15 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Rural development, Environment, Archive
Despite the efforts made in recent years by the European Union, to alleviate the suffering of animals sent to slaughter, the problem still exists. Each year, more than 360 million pigs, sheep and calves, 330 million chickens and 25 million fur-bearing animals are slaughtered in the European Union and almost each European country still has its own excessively cruel slaughtering rules. In addition, many animals simply die during their transportation to the slaughterhouses, according to European analysts. Amid the tightening of national legislations, regulating slaughtering, many European farmers prefer to export their live cattle to other countries where the slaughter is performed by methods that are banned in their own countries. Many experts have hopes for the new European regulations in the area of slaughtering, which has already been developed by some European experts in the middle of last year. Read more: Meat International Read more DG Agriculture
- International Cooperation with Africa in FP6
2009-09-15 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Aid effectiveness, Archive
In 2005, the African Union adopted Africa’s Science and Technology Consolidated Plan of Action (CPA) following extensive continent-wide consultations. The CPA emphasises the development of Africa’s research and technological innovation through Networks of Excellence Centres and capacity building programmes. Improvements of human well-being today depend crucially on knowledge — its production, distribution, ownership and wise application. Research carried out domestically and internationally is vitally important for the generation of knowledge that a country can use for its development. International scientific and technological cooperation is a cornerstone for the transition to sustainability in today’s context of accelerating technological development and global interdependence. The 8th Partnership on Science, Information Society and Space agreed at the EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon in December 2007 is, therefore, a very important milestone for both sides. We realise that much can and must be done, requiring strong political commitment among African countries to build up their science and technology (S&T) capacities and use the results already available. This must be supported by strong international cooperation. This catalogue documents the part of recent achievements under the Specific International S&T Cooperation Programme (INCO) of the 6th Research Framework Programme (2002–2006). Source: European Commission Read more
- A European strategy for marine and maritime research
2009-09-15 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Environment, Regional Fisheries
In September 2008, the European Commission’s Communication on ‘A European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research’ took this a stage further by laying out an action plan for better integration of research between the maritime and marine communities in order to address the problems of marine degradation caused by human activities and develop new technologies for sustainable development of maritime activities. This brochure is based on that communication and explains the context behind its creation and some of the proposed actions and initiatives that will be carried outin the coming years. Source: European Commission Read the Document DG Fisheries
- Whither EC Aid (WECA) Compendium
2009-09-15
The Whither EC Aid (WECA) Compendium is now on line and can be downloaded. It is the final stage of a joint ECDPM-Action Aid project initiated in mid-2007. In 2005, the Paris Declaration formulated a number of challenges facing development cooperation. While the principles of the Declaration were broadly accepted, there seemed to be a lack of shared understanding of key underlying issues shaping the debate of EU aid effectiveness. Source: ECDPM Read more More about ECDPM
- West African traders reject EPA
2009-09-15 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Rural development
The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has voiced concerns over the European Union’s ‘inflexibility’ in the ongoing negotiations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Speaking in Abuja at the weekend after a two day sensitisation meeting of stakeholders, NANTS President Ken Ukaoha said that over the past eight years of negotiations, the EU have refused to take into consideration the peculiar situation of African nations as the least developed countries of the world. ECOWAS has all the while been making concessions while the EU has refused to make any. Furthermore, the European bloc has not made serious commitments of funds for the development of infrastructure and institutions as agreed in the previous Cotonou agreement. Source: Tralac Read more More about ECOWAS DG Trade
- Major tasks for the EU in next six months
2009-09-15
As a new term commences for the European Parliament and the selection of a new European Commission approaches, EurActiv.fr takes stock of the most important dossiers for the coming six months. Source: Euractiv Read more Speech of Mr Barroso
- Karel De Gucht visits humanitarian projects in Zimbabwe
2009-09-14 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Aid effectiveness
Karel De Gucht, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, is making his first visit to EU-funded operations today, in Zimbabwe. On his agenda are two humanitarian projects implemented by partners of the Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO). Source: European Commission Read more EC delegation to Zimbabwe EU relations with Zimbabwe
- IOC: ICT Support Programme
2009-09-14 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
The EU has contributed 21 million Euro to finance the Regional ICT Support Programme which is implemented by COMESA and covers the region of Eastern and Southern Africa. The IOC is implementing a section of the programme worth 2 million Euro. The objective of the ICT Support Programme is to bridge the digital divide by removing barriers to the efficient utilisation of information and communication technologies, which means, amongst other things, tackling unfavourable regulatory regimes, inadequate communications infrastructure, information access bottlenecks and skills shortages. Project activities include studies for the SEGANET cable (the IOC countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2008) and the development of Internet portals for small island states and regional trade through. The programme will continue until June 2009. Source: IOC Read more Indian Ocean Commission
- EU policymaking: Rooted in science?
2009-09-14 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Archive
European policymakers face a difficult choice when authorising new technologies such as GMOs, as they often find themselves caught between conflicting expert safety advice and calls to respect the precautionary principle when scientific evidence is insufficient. EU policymaking is largely based on expertise and involves handling complex technical information at different levels. While such expert-based regulatory policy is seen by some as a guarantee of rational decision-making, it is sometimes perceived as technocratic and opaque. Since the mid-1990s, steps have been taken to improve the quality of science used in decision-making by establishing independent scientific committees and independent risk-assessment agencies. Examples of these include those in place for medicines and food. Since 2001, the debate on the role of scientific evidence in policymaking has been seen in a wider context of European governance and better regulation. Source: Euractiv Read more The precautionary principle
- EPAs will provide Africa with "Better Export Opportunities"
2009-09-14 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade, Aid effectiveness, Food Security
The European Union has pressurised Ghana to sign an economic partnership agreement (EPA) despite civil society concerns being raised about the detrimental effects further trade liberalisation will have on development in the West African country. IPS’s Francis Kokutse fired some questions at Dick Naezer, head of the macro-economic trade section of the European Union delegation in Ghana, to understand why he directed this call at Ghana’s government. Source: IPS Read more EC delegation to Ghana DG for External Trade
- Mauritius sugar producers consider merger
2009-09-14 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : ACP-EU Trade
Two of Mauritius' leading sugar producers listed on the Indian Ocean island's benchmark SEMDEX index announced they may merge within five months. Mauritius' sugar sector, a centuries-old pillar of the palm-fringed island's economy, has suffered as the European Union has cut its guaranteed price offered to exporters from the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) bloc. In separate cautionary announcements issued to shareholders, Harel Freres Limited and the Mount Sugar Estates Company Limited set January 2010 as the tentative date for the completion of the merger. Source: Flex News Read more EC delegation to Mauritius EU relations with Mauritius
- UK Update on Efforts on Food Policy
2009-09-14 NEWSLETTER_CATEGORIES : Food Security, Archive
"Food Matters: One Year On” has just been published by the United Kingdom's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK DEFRA). The report updates the UK government's efforts on food policy as it relates to health, food safety, the economy, and the environment. It also identifies priorities for the next 12 months. One of the initiatives implemented includes the creation of a Council of Food Policy Advisers to provide advice on the practical measures government should take to create a healthy, sustainable food system. The government is also leading efforts with international partners to tackle global hunger through the Global Partnership for Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (GPAFSN). Source: DEFRA Read the Report More about DEFRA
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NOTE If you have questions or suggestions, please write to us at : boto@cta.int For more information on the full range of CTA activities please go to http://www.cta.int/ More information on CTA activities in Brussels at : http://brussels.cta.int/ CTA is an institution of the ACP Group of States (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) and the EU (European Union), in the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and is financed by the EU. Copyright © 2009 Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU. Email:cta@cta.int The opinions expressed in the comments and analysis are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of CTA. You are currently subscribed to the CTA Brussels Newsletter.
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