Newsletter EUBIA
September 2017

News 

On 28th of September 2017, a discussion took place at ENVI Committee meeting regarding the proposal from the European Commission to establish mitigation measures and benchmark levels for the reduction of the presence of acrylamide in food. Acrylamide is a contaminant, contained mainly in certain baked or fried foods, that can increase the risk of developing cancer for consumers at any age. MEPs seem to have a common position on protecting citizens’ health by accepting Commissions’ proposal, with exemption of EPP. Ms Elisabeth Köstinger from EPP opposed the draft on the ground that, establishing a system for analysing levels of acrylamide in the foodstuffs can harm SMEs of the food business and represent an excessive bureaucracy. Safe food Advocacy Europe has published an interesting position paper on the topic.
Rapporteur: Elisabeth KÖSTINGER (EPP)
Shadows: Ulrike MÜLLER (ALDE)

On 11th of September, took place a joint committee ITRE/ENVI meeting to discuss amendments of the draft report presented by Green MEPs Claude Turmes and Michèle Rivasi on May 2017.  The rapporteurs include on the proposal:  a more ambitious EU-wide 2030 targets: a 45% target for renewable energy and a 40% target for energy efficiency; as well as calls on the Commission to address methane emissions (develop a Union Methane Strategy), and establish a dedicated financial platform to support deployment of smart grids, renewables and energy efficiency.
The regulation on governance of the energy union, was proposed by the European Commission on 30 November 2016, as part of its ‘Clean energy for all Europeans’ package, with the aim to integrate and simplify planning, reporting and monitoring obligations of the Commission and EU Member States in reaching the goals of energy union, in particular the EU targets on renewables, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions set out in the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework. 
The report is expected to be voted  at the European Parliament on November 2017. For more information visit: EP briefing paper or EU legislative train page. 

On 13th of September 2017, 433 MEPS, voted in favour of the rejection of draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean DAS-44406-6 and soybean FG72 × A5547-127. Main reasons for rejection consist that Soybean DAS-44406-6 confers tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides, (2,4-D) and glufosinate ammonium-based herbicides, while Soybean FG72 x A5547-127 is a GMO tolerant to glyphosatebased herbicides, isoxaflutole and glufosinate ammonium-based herbicides. Furthermore, the risk assessment provided by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for both soybeans was not acceptable as it did not identify knowledge gaps and did not assess issues such as toxicity, impact on immune system and the reproductive system.
Co-rapporteurs: Bart Staes (Greens/EFA), Balas Guillaume (S&D), Lynn Boylan (GUE), Eleonora EVI, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Valentinas Mazuronis (ALDE)
Shadows: Jan Huitema (ALDE)

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