Written by Tarja Laaninen (1st edition),
© krisana / Fotolia
On 1 February 2018, the European Commission published a proposal for a recast of the Directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption (the Drinking Water Directive). The proposal responds to the European Citizens’ Initiative, Right2Water, and builds on a fitness check which concluded that the 20-year old directive is fit for purpose, but needs updating. The main elements of the proposal consist of updating the water quality standards, introducing a risk-based approach to the monitoring of water, improving and streamlining the information provided to consumers, harmonising the standards for products in contact with drinking water, and imposing obligations to improve access to water. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) considered the draft report on 7 June 2018; the vote in committee is planned for 10 September 2018.
Versions
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the quality of water intended for human consumption (recast) Committee responsible:
Rapporteur:
Shadow rapporteurs:
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
Michel Dantin (EPP, France)
Rory Palmer (S&D, United Kingdom)
Jørn Dohrmann (ECR, Denmark)
Ulrike Müller (ALDE, Germany)
Lynn Boylan (GUE/NGL, Ireland)
Benedek Jávor (Greens/EFA, Hungary)
Eleonora Evi (EFDD, Italy)
Sylvie Goddyn (ENF, France) COM(2017) 0753 of 1.2.2018
2017/0332(COD)
Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in ENVI committee on draft report
The Vostok 2018 (or Orient-2018) military exercise, between 11-17 September, will mobilize for four days no less than 300 000 soldiers (virtually all forces of Central and Western Russian military districts of Russia), 36 000 armored vehicles and more than a thousand aircraft (planes, helicopters and drones).
The Chinese and Mongolian armed forces will be invited. There will be an air of Zapad-81 (in 1981 with 100.000 soldiers, a hard message to the West and to the revolted Poland), but more imposing in a way.
Tag: Vostok 2018Written by Patrick Kelly (1st edition),
© Goodpics / Fotolia
The food supply chain ensures that food and drink products are delivered to the public. It affects all consumers in the EU. The final price paid by the consumer is impacted by the number of participants in the food supply chain. While the single market has brought benefits to operators in the supply chain through more market opportunities and a larger customer base, it has also brought challenges. Structural changes have occurred, leading to different levels of bargaining power and imbalances between actors in the chain. The abuse of such differences may lead to unfair trading practices.
To strengthen the position of smaller operators (farmers) in the food supply chain, in April 2018 the European Commission presented a proposal for a directive on unfair trading practices. In the European Parliament, a report is due to be voted on in the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development in October, while in the Council of the EU a revised presidency text is being examined.
VersionsProposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the food supply chain. Committee responsible:
Rapporteur:
Shadow rapporteurs:
Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)
Paolo de Castro (S&D, Italy)
Mairead McGuinness (EPP, Ireland),
Anthea McIntyre (ECR, UK),
Elsi Katainen (ALDE, Finland),
Matt Carthy (GUE/NGL, Ireland),
Maria Heubuch (Greens/EFA, Germany),
Marco Zullo (EFDD, Italy),
Jacques Colombier, (ENF, France). COM(2018) 173 from 12.4.2018.
2018/0082(COD)
Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in committee