News: EU authorises six GMO maize types for food / feed (Updated 29 July)
UPDATED: With official texts of the decisions. The European Commission adopted today five Decisions authorising GM maize 1507×59122, 59122x1507xNK603, MON88017xMON810, MON89034xNK603 and Bt11xGA21 and one Decision renewing the authorisation of Bt11 maize. These 6 decisions cover the authorisation for food and feed uses and import and processing but not for cultivation. The 6 GM maize … Read more
Call for better protection of the health of plants in Europe – on the road to the EU Plant Health Law
Brussels, 27 July 2010. The European Commission published today an evaluation study of the Common Plant Health Regime (CPHR) that will be the basis on which the regime will be reviewed. The Commission plans to adopt a new EU Plant Health law in 2012. The CPHR, which dates back to 1977, protects the EU territory … Read more
News: EU approves €250 million funding for new environmental protection projects under LIFE+
Brussels, 23 July 2010. The European Commission has approved funding for 210 new projects under the third call for the LIFE+ programme (2007-2013), the European fund for the environment. The projects are from across the EU and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, environmental policy, and information and communication. Overall, they represent a … Read more
News: EU tackles hard coal mining industry problems. An end to subsidies at last?
Brussels, 20 July 2010. The European Commission has approved a proposal for a Council Regulation on State aid to facilitate the closure of loss-making hard coal mines in the EU by 15 October 2014. Any further operating aid to the sector will be conditional on the presentation of a closure plan for the loss-making mines. … Read more
News: EU endorses €17 million aid to Solibro for solar modules plant in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany
The European Commission has authorised €17 million of regional investment aid for the German company Solibro GmbH for the production of solar modules in Bitterfeld-Wolfen (Sachsen-Anhalt), Germany. The project involves an investment of €142 million and is expected to create at least 260 new jobs in the region. Germany limited the aid amount to the … Read more
News: €8.5 million EU aid for solar wafer production in Spain
Brussels, 20 July 2010. The European Commission has authorised €8.5 million of regional investment aid to the Spanish company Silicio Solar SAU for the production of solar wafers in Puertollano, Ciudad Real (Castilla-La–Mancha). The project involves investments of €219 million for the construction of a new plant next to an already existing one. The Commission … Read more
News: EU adopts ITER fusion plant financing proposal
Brussels, 20th July 2010. The Commission has adopted a proposal for funding the construction of the fusion demonstration reactor ITER. This proposal responds to the conclusions of the Council of 12 July 2010 and aims to secure the financing of this international project as it goes forward. The Commission proposes redeployment of €100 million in … Read more
News: EU Commission & Parliament focus on biodiversity and how business can help preserve it
Brussels, 13 July 2010. A new report funded by the European Commission makes a strong case for integrating biodiversity into private sector business plans and core activities around the globe. The report reveals considerable recent growth in eco-certified products and services, growing consumer concerns for sustainable production, and shows how biodiversity can provide a substantial … Read more
News: Europarliament calls for biowaste directive and mandatory separate collection
Strasbourg, 6th July 2010. The EU needs a specific bio-waste directive, as this could generate major economic and environmental benefits, the European Parliament believes. Compulsory separate collection and recycling of bio-waste should be a central plank of the legislation, say MEPs in a resolution adopted on Tuesday. Every year, between 118 and 138 million tons … Read more
News: Renewables account for 62% of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU over last year
Brussels, 05th July 2010. The “Renewable Energy Snapshots” report, published today by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17GW) of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009. The share rose from 57% in 2008. For the second year running, wind energy accounted … Read more
