Activities of Olli REHN
Plenary speeches (30)
Renewal of the mandate of the Internet Governance Forum (debate)
Country of origin labelling for meat ingredients in processed food (debate) FI
Main aspects and basic choices of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy (Article 36 TEU) (debate) FI
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (18 December 2014) (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (18 December 2014) (debate)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (18-19 December 2014) (debate) FI
Preparations for the European Council meeting (18-19 December 2014) (debate)
Association agreement with Georgia - Conclusion of the Association agreement with Georgia (debate)
Commission work programme 2015 (debate)
Commission work programme 2015 (debate)
Commission work programme 2015 (debate)
Commission work programme 2015 (debate)
EU Strategic framework on health and safety at work 2014-2020 (debate) FI
Implementation of the Employment Equality Directive (debate) SV
Implementation of the Employment Equality Directive (debate)
Evaluation of the bank stress tests (debate) FI
Evaluation of the bank stress tests (debate) FI
The powers of the European Central Bank to impose sanctions - Collection of statistical information by the European Central Bank (debate) FI
The powers of the European Central Bank to impose sanctions - Collection of statistical information by the European Central Bank (debate) FI
Delays in the start-up of cohesion policy for 2014-2020 (debate) FI
Better prevention and management of floods at European level (debate)
Response to Ebola crisis (debate) FI
Response to Ebola crisis (debate)
Response to Ebola crisis (debate) FI
Response to Ebola crisis (debate)
Situation in Iraq and Syria and the ISIS offensive including the persecution of minorities (debate) FI
Situation in Iraq and Syria and the ISIS offensive including the persecution of minorities (debate) SV
Situation in Libya (debate) SV
Situation in Ukraine and state of play of EU-Russia relations (debate) FI
Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) (debate) FI
Shadow reports (2)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union's Stabilisation and Association process and suspending its application with regard to Bosnia and Herzegovina PDF (413 KB) DOC (305 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 55/2008 introducing autonomous trade preferences for the Republic of Moldova PDF (359 KB) DOC (83 KB)
Opinions (2)
OPINION on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part
OPINION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part
Shadow opinions (2)
OPINION on the European Energy Security Strategy
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a European network of Employment Services, workers' access to mobility services and the further integration of labour markets
Institutional motions (1)
JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on delays in the start-up of cohesion policy for 2014-2020 PDF (132 KB) DOC (63 KB)
Written questions (3)
External representation of economic and monetary union PDF (99 KB) DOC (24 KB)
Application of competition rules to international sports federations PDF (5 KB) DOC (24 KB)
Compensation package for the dairy farmers PDF (103 KB) DOC (25 KB)
Amendments (67)
Amendment 1 #
2014/2816(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU-Georgia Association Agreement – especially its trade part negotiated under the framework of the Eastern Partnership from 2012 to 2013 – encompasses one of the most ambitious free trade agreements that the EU has ever negotiated with a third country;
Amendment 1 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to the EU directives for the negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the EU and the US, unanimously adopted by the Council on 14 June 20131 and declassified and made public by the Council on 9 October 2014, __________________ 1 http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/docum ent/ST-11103-2013-DCL-1/en/pdf
Amendment 6 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the Council Conclusion on TTIP of 20 March 2015,
Amendment 11 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the consequences of the Russian embargo have clearly demonstrated the continuous geopolitical relevance of agriculture, the importance of having access to a range of different agricultural markets and the need for strong and strategic trade partnerships with reliable trade partners;
Amendment 31 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas TTIP is an opportunity to set high standards globally and supplement standards from both continents, especially at times when new economic actors are gaining scale, who do not share the EU or the US commitment to rule based trade, high levels of consumer protection, environmental standards and animal welfare;
Amendment 34 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. whereas exports through trade and growth through investments are key drivers of jobs and economic growth which do not require government investments;
Amendment 46 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU's GDP is heavily dependent on trade and export and benefits from rules based trade and investment; whereas an ambitious agreement with the US mayshould support the reindustrialisation of Europe and help achieve the 2020 target for an increase of the EU’s GDP generated by industry from 15 % to 20 %; whereas it has the potential to, by strengthening the trans- Atlantic trade in both goods and services; whereas it should create opportunities especially for SMEs, which suffer more from non-tariff barriers (NTBs) than larger companies; whereas an agreement between the two biggest economic blocs in the world has the potentigoal to create standards, norms and rules which will be adopted at a global level, which would serve to the advantage of third countries as well;
Amendment 54 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas a comprehensive and ambitious TTIP will likely have geopolitical effects through strengthening a rules-based global trading system, diversifying the EU's exports and strengthening the trans-Atlantic relationship between the world's two largest and most open economic blocs, which are based on a mutual commitment to human rights, fundamental freedoms, upholding standards and strengthening our values globally;
Amendment 60 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the recent crises on the EU's borders and developments around the world show the need to invest in global governance and a system based on rules and values
Amendment 63 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the negative impact on EU exporters of Russian sanctions must encourage the Commission to do more to open up new markets to EU businesses large and small;
Amendment 72 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, given the growing interconnectedness of global markets – up to 40 % of European industrial products are manufactured from imported upstream products – it is crucial that policymakers shape the way these markets interact; whereas proper trade rules and removing unnecessary barriers are fundamental to creating added value in Europe, since industrial production takes place in global value chains;
Amendment 91 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas we are faced with an unregulated picture of globalisation and a well-designed trade agreement cshould contribute to harnessingfurther trade liberalisation, while upholding standards and values; whereas such an agreement should not only focus on reducing tariffs and NTBs but should also be a tool tosecure the protection of workers, consumers and the environment; whereas a strong and ambitious trade agreement is an opportunity to create a framework by strengthening regulation towhich sets the highest standards at a global level in order to prevent social and environmental dumpingline with the values upheld and cherished on both sides of the Atlantic;
Amendment 100 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas even though common high standards are in the interest of the consumers, it should be noted that they also make sense from an economic perspective, as the higher costs stemming from higher standards are compensated by increased economies of scale in a market of 850 million consumers;
Amendment 118 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas many economic impact studies on TTIP should be taken with caution as they are built on computable general equilibrium economic models with very optimistic predictions about the capacity of the EU and the US to reduce regulatory barriers to trade; whereas the TTIP alone will not resolve economic problems in the EU and no false hopes and expectations should be raised in that respectpredict growth on both sides of the Atlantic; whereas the TTIP alone will not resolve economic problems in the EU, but should be seen as an element in a broader European strategy to create jobs and growth, and to strengthen our position in the global economy;
Amendment 122 #
2014/2228(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
ba. recalls that the TTIP negotiations cannot in themselves change the implementation or proposal of legislation in any area, including European food safety, SPS standards, animal welfare and environmental measures;
Amendment 126 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas previous trade agreements have shown significant benefits for the European economy;
Amendment 144 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the wellbeing of ordinary citizens, workers and consumers, as well as increased opportunities for businesses as the drivers of growth and jobs, has to be the benchmark for a trade agreement; whereas TTIP should be a model for a good trade agreement responding to these requirements;
Amendment 166 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the secret character of negotiatEuropean Commissions has they have been conducted in the past has led to deficiencies in terms ofmade significant efforts to increase access to information by launching a transparency initiative, which has increased democratic control of the negotiation process;
Amendment 206 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas President Juncker has also clearly stated in his Political Guidelines that he will not accept that the jurisdiction of courts in the Member States is limited by special regimes for investor disputes; whereas now that the results of the public consultation on investment protection and ISDS in the TTIP are available, a reflection process – taking account of critical and constructive contributions – is needed within and between the three European institutions on the best way to achieve investment protection and equal treatment of investorsnon- discrimination;
Amendment 229 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas since July 2013 talks between the US and the EU have been going on, but up to now no common text has been agreed and it is now exactly the right time to undertake a reflection on the state of play;
Amendment 263 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) to emphasise that while the TTIP negotiations consist of negotiations on three main areas – ambitiously improving reciprocal market access (for goods, services, investment and public procurement at all levels of government), reducing NTBs and enhancing the compatibility of regulatory regimes, and developing common rules to address shared global trade challenges and opportunities – all these areas are equally important to be included in a comprehensive package; TTIP should be ambitious and binding on all levels of government on both sides of the Atlantic, the agreement should lead to lasting genuine market openness on a reciprocal basis and trade facilitation on the ground, and should pay particular attention to structural means of achieving greater transatlantic cooperation while upholding regulatory standards and preventing social and environmental dumping, welcomes therefore the fact that all major players in the negotiations have publically committed to these goals;
Amendment 329 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) to aim at the elimination of all duty tariffs, while respecting sensitive products on both sides, noting that CETA could be a good point of reference in this regard;
Amendment 368 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
Paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) to increase market access for services according to the ‘positive listan approach’ whereby services that are to be opened up to foreign companies are explicitly mentioned and new services are excluded while ensuring that possible standstill and ratchet clauses only apply to non- discrimination provisich safeguards governments' right to regulate, protects public services and utilities, but which also fosters innovations and allow for enough flexibility to bring services back into public controlstrengthens the possibilities for innovative goods and services to access both the European and American markets;
Amendment 379 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point v
Paragraph 1 – point b – point v
(v) the negotiations should meaningfully address the current US restrictions on maritime and air transport services owned by European businesses, including in relation to foreign ownership of airlines and reciprocity on cabotage, as well as maritime cargo screeningwhich is caused by legislation such as the Jones Act, Foreign Dredging Act, the Federal Aviation Act and the US Air Cabotage Law, and which seriously hinder market access for EU companies as well as innovation in the US itself;
Amendment 402 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi
(vi) to ensure an adequate carve-out of sensitive services such as public services and public utilities (including water, health, social security systems and education) allowing national and local authorities enough room for manoeuvre to legislate in the public interest; awelcomes the joint declaration reflecting negotiators’ clear commitment to exclude these sectors from the negotiations would be very helpful in this regardstance that public services are excluded from TTIP;
Amendment 414 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi a (new)
(via) to ensure mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the Parties and for the promotion of mobility across the Atlantic through the facilitation of entry for high-skilled professionals in sectors covered by TTIP;
Amendment 419 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b – point vi b (new)
(vib) to promote, in parallel to the negotiations, that the EU-US enter into talks towards an additional agreement lifting work permit requirements, so as to create maximum mobility of professionals between the EU and the US;
Amendment 452 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point viii
Paragraph 1 – point b – point viii
(viii) to ensure that the EU’s acquis on data privacy is not compromised through the liberalisation of data flows, in particular in the area of e-commerce and financial services; to ensure that no commitments on data flows are taken up before European data protection legislation is in placeany provisions on data flows are in accordance with the EU’s acquis on data privacy, in particular in the area of e-commerce and financial services, noting the importance of cross border data flows to both the digital economy and increasingly also to traditional industry; to ensure that the agreement takes account of Article XIV of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) provisions on the protection of personal data;
Amendment 481 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point x
Paragraph 1 – point b – point x
(x) to keep in mind that the agreement should not risk prejudicing the Union’s cultural and linguistic diversity, including in the audiovisual and cultural services sector, and that existing and future provisions and policies in support of the cultural sector, in particular in the digital world, are kept out of the scope of the negotiationsand that the mandate given to the European Commission by the Member States explicitly excludes the audiovisual sector;
Amendment 492 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xi
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xi
(xi) to ensure that account is taken of the large discrepancies in the openness of public procurement markets on both sides of the Atlantic and the huge interest on the part of European companies in obtaining access to public contracts in the US both at federal and state level, for example for construction services, traffic and transport infrastructure and goods and services whil, noting that 85% of the EU public tenders are open to the US while only 32% of US public tenders are open to the EU; to ensure respecting of sustainability criteria for procurement on both sides, inter alia the new EU procurement and concession package entering into force in 2016;
Amendment 501 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xi a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xi a (new)
(xia) to acknowledge the particularly sensitive status of defence procurement and investment, but to ensure that it is not misused as covert state aid;
Amendment 536 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xiv a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xiv a (new)
(xiva) to ensure that TTIP is an open agreement, and to look for ways in which valued partners, which have an interest in the TTIP negotiations because of Customs Union agreements with either the EU or the US, can be more actively informed of the developments;
Amendment 538 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xiv b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point b – point xiv b (new)
(xivb) to seek to ensure that developing countries indirectly benefit from TTIP and to remain committed to advancing the multilateral trade agenda;
Amendment 563 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point c – point i a (new)
(ia) to address customs issues that go beyond the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) rules and stress that, in order to achieve real administrative burden removal, there is a need to work towards a maximum degree of regulatory alignment on customs and border related policies and practices;
Amendment 597 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
(iii) with regard to the horizontal regulatory cooperation chapter, to give priority to fostering bilateral cooperation between regulatory bodies, which could help develop common definitions and to avoid unnecessary divergence in the future, especially when it comes to new technologies and services, such as electric cars, smart grids, nano technology and green goods; to achieve this through enhanced information exchange and to promote the adoption, strengthening and timely implementation of international instruments, on the basis of successful international experiences such as, for instance, ISO standards or under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe’s (UNECE) World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29); to establish that the prior impact assessment for the regulatory act, as defined in the horizontal provisions on regulatory cooperation, should also measure the impact on consumers and the environment next to its impact on trade and investment; to handle the possibility of promoting regulatory compatibility with great care and only without compromising legitimate regulatory and policy objectives;
Amendment 641 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
(ii) to ensure that the sustainable development chapter aims at the full and effective ratification, implementation and enforcement of standards which align with the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and their content, the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and the core international environmental agreements; provisions should be aimed at improving levels of protection of labour and environmental standards; an ambitious trade and sustainable development chapter should also include rules on corporate social responsibility based on the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and a clearly structured civil society involvement;
Amendment 689 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point vii
(vii) to ensure that in course of the negotiations the two sides examine ways to facilitate natural gas and oil exports, so that TTIP would abolish any existing export restrictions on energy between the two trading partners, thereby supporting a diversification of energy sources and reducing dependence on current sources, while recognising that this cannot be seen as a substitute for an ambitious EU green and sustainable energy policy;
Amendment 705 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ix
Paragraph 1 – point d – point ix
(ix) to ensure that TTIP supports the use and promotion of green goods and services, including through facilitating the development of these goods and services, thereby tapping into the considerable potential for environmental and economic gains offered by the transatlantic economy;
Amendment 725 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xi
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xi
(xi) to ensure that TTIP includeswelcome the commitment of both sides and the inclusion of a specific chapter on SME’s andin TTIP that aims at creating new opportunities in the US for European SMEs, for instance by eliminating double certification requirements, by establishing a web-based information system about the different regulations, by introducing ‘fast-track’ procedures at the border or by eliminating specific tariff peaks that continue to exist; it should establish mechanisms for both sides to work together to facilitate SMEs’ participation in transatlantic trade, for instance through a common SME ’one-stop shop’;
Amendment 738 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xii
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xii
(xii) to ensure that TTIP contains a comprehensive chapter on investment including provisions on both market access and investment protection, recognising that the free flow of capital and access to capital stimulate jobs and growth; the investment chapter should aim at ensuring non- discriminatory treatment for the establishment of European and US companies in each other’s territory, while taking account of the sensitive nature of some specific sectors;
Amendment 772 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xiv
(xiv) to ensure that foreign investors are treated in a non-discriminatory fashion and have a fair opportunity to seek and achieve redress of grievances, which can be achieved without the inclusion of an ISDS mechanism; such a mechanism is not necessary in TTIP given the EU’recognising that both state-to-state dispute settlement and the use of national courts present significant difficulties and that there are also legitimate concerns regarding the investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS) clauses ands the US’ devely have been adopted legal systems; a state-to- state dispute settlement systemin the past in more than 1300 bilateral investment agreements by European Member States; to continue, therefore, to explore all avenues to improve and reform ISDS in such a way that concerns regarding the right to regulate , transparency, appeals procedures and othe use of national courts are the most appropriate tools to address investment dispur procedural aspects of tribunals and the relationship between national courts and ISDS are addressed; to move ahead, alongside the TTIP negotiations, with finding a broader solution to the concerns about ISDS clauses which are contained in other European investment agreements, including treaties between EU member states;
Amendment 796 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xv
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xv
(xv) to ensure that TTIP includes an ambitious and modern Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) chapter that includes strong protection of precisely and clearly defined areas of IPR without impeding the EU's need to reform its copyright system, including enhanced protection and recognition of European Geographical Indications (GIs), using CETA as a model, and reflects a fair and efficient level of protection such as laid out in the EU’s and the US’s free trade agreement provisions in this area, while continuing to confirm the existing flexibilities in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), notably in the area of public health;
Amendment 810 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi
Paragraph 1 – point d – point xvi
(xvi) to ensure that the IPR chapter does not include provisions on criminal sanctions as a tool for enforcement, as having been previously rejected by Parliament including the proposed ACTA treaty;
Amendment 845 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iii
Paragraph 1 – point e – point iii
(iii) to promote an even closer engagement with the Member States, who were responsible for the negotiating mandate which directed the European Commission to open negotiations with the US, with the aim of forging their active involvement in better communicating the scope and the possible benefits of the agreement for European citizens, ands committed to in the Council Conclusions adopted on 20 March 2015, in order to ensure a broad, fact-based public debate on TTIP in Europe with the aim of exploring the genuine concerns surrounding the agreement;
Amendment 866 #
2014/2228(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) to skeek evep on closerly engagementing with Parliament, which will continue to closely monitor the negotiating process and to engage on its part with the Commission, the Member States, and the US Congress and Administration, as well as with stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic, in order to ensure an outcome which will benefit citizens in the EU, the US and beyond;
Amendment 3 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the responsibility for forestry rests solely with the Member States, that the principle of subsidiarity must be upheld, and that the differences in regional conditions, ownership models and priorities across the Member States must be respected, and that the EU should refrain from imposing any new market restrictions for forests and wood-based products in order to ensure the ownership principles and freedom of market for the participants in the forest value chain;
Amendment 10 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes the view that it is appropriate to make forest conservation and management incentives part of the strategy, and wWelcomes the Commission communication on a new European forest strategy, bearing in mind that – with due regard to the subsidiarity principle – there is aand emphasises the need for a comprehensive and consistent joint strategy to strengthen the role of forests and the forest sector as well as to prevent and manage forest disasters;
Amendment 13 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges that the EU has a role to play in supporting national policies aimed at achieving active, multifunctional and sustainable forest management, in strengthening cooperation in the face of increased cross-border threats such as forest fires, illegal logging and pests, and in ensuringstresses the importance of coherence on forest-related issues across EU policies such as, in particular those relating to agriculture, biodiversity, climate, renewable energy, water and soil, industry, research and innovation, energy efficiency, and resource efficiency;
Amendment 33 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that the objective included in the EU Forest Strategy of enhancing the contribution of forests and the forest sector to rural development, sustainable growth and job creation must take full account of the economic, social, cultural and environmental goods and services sourced from forests, in particular the important role that forests play in reducing CO2 emissionswell-managed forests and wood- based material play in reducing CO2 emissions and moving towards a bioeconomy, which is anare important elements of EU climate policy;
Amendment 38 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on Member States to consider including environmental services payments as forest management incentiveassessment and valuation of ecosystem services to further support multifunctionality of forests, bearing in mind the importance of wood as renewable and climate friendly raw material and the role of forest-based value chains; points out that sustainable forest management has a positive impact on biodiversity, fire prevention, biodiversity and conservation,conservation efforts, and climate; and is crucial for economic development, especially in rural areas and remote regions;
Amendment 55 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the important role of forestry and forest industry research and innovation in achieving smart and sustainable growth, in particular refined biofuels, industrial building in wood, the development of wood and cellulose-based products, as well as renewable materials replacing fossil fuel based chemical materials;
Amendment 56 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that, particularly in the Mediterranean region, forest fires occur on a regular basis, and are both a cause and a consequence of climate change; points out that storms, and forest fires and pests, are natural disasters that can be mitigated using forestry techniques and that, alongside improved and active forest management, there is a need to promote specific action such as the introduction of grazing or the establishment of agro- forestry areas – policies that ought to be recognised in both the first and second pillars (grazing areas and rural development respectively) of the common agricultural policy;
Amendment 76 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Takes the view that it is important to promote the implementation of the concept of the bioeconomy to boost the economic viability of forest value chains through innovation and technology transfer, and, to this end, provide more support for diverse forest products other than timber;
Amendment 93 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises the need to make sure that forestat European forest resources and wood materials are also re-to be used and re-used efficiently, as a way of cutting the EU’s trade deficit, helping to reduce unsustainable management, protecting the environment and reducing deforestation in countries outside the EUimproving self-sufficiency of the EU in wood and competitiveness of the forest sector as well as to support lowering the EU’s trade deficit;
Amendment 110 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises that is important thatEU legal requirements for forest management plans shouldo not become an additional bureaucratic burden which impedes the sustainable use of Europe’s forests; with that in mind, calls on Member States to review themonitor and promote the voluntary implementation of the forest management plans, taking into account the proportionality and ‘think small first’ principles and providing for the use by managers of the responsibility declaration form.principle;
Amendment 117 #
2014/2223(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the need to address global challenges such as the amelioration of unsustainable management practices, the reduction of deforestation in countries outside the EU or general environmental protection measures at the global multilateral fora.
Amendment 231 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes the view that forest management plans can be an important strategic instrument for the implementation of concrete measures at the level of individual businesses, while supporting the principleunderlining that such measures should be voluntary, in accordance with entrepreneurial freedom; calls at the same time for a clear separation between forest management plans and the management plans under Natura 2000 and the implementation of EU biodiversity strategy to 2020, in view of the need to curb excessive bureaucracy, particularly for small and medium-sized forestry undertakings;
Amendment 245 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls the Commission to carry out and publish a cumulative cost assessment of EU legislation affecting Forest-based Industry value chains including forestry, and assess during 2015 existing regulations that are hindering the development of wood construction in the EU;
Amendment 290 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls onthe Commission and the Mmember States and the Commission to promote initiatives focusing more closely on timber as one of the EU’s crucial raw materials and on the forest as a significant economic factor and supplier for a bio-based society, and expressly supports awareness-raising campaigns to this end in schools and educational establishmentto promote campaigning in schools and educational establishments to raise awareness on the importance of forest- based bioeconomy and wood as one of the EU's crucial renewable raw materials;
Amendment 306 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to create initiatives that focus on promoting the use of wood as one of the EU's crucial renewable raw materials and on forests as a significant economic factor and supplier for more bio-based society;
Amendment 326 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the implementation of the EU’s forestry strategy willshould be a multi- annual process and that the European Parliament has every interest in its beingcoordinated process in which the view´s of the European Parliament should be taken into account and that the strategy ought to be implemented efficiently, coherently and with minimal red tape;
Amendment 340 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Takes the view, therefore, that the Standing Forestry Committee should be strengthened and better resourced to enable expertise from the Member States to be exploited to that end and to play an active role in the implementation process, and that Civil Dialogue Group on Forestry and Cork and Expert Group on Forest Based Industries should be strengthened and better resourced to enable expertise of the stakeholders to be exploited proactively in forest-related policy formulation and in the implementation of the strategy;
Amendment 352 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that, in view of the Commission’s list of priorities on growth, employment and investment, priority should also be given in implementing the new EU forest strategy to promoting the competitiveness and sustainability of the forest sectory, supporting rural and urban areas, expanding the knowledge basis and promoting coordination and communication; aiming at increased use of wood and non-wood forest products;
Amendment 360 #
2014/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. While recognizing the importance of swift implementation regrets that the implementation process has partly begun before the European Parliament has adopted its position and sees that this is not in line with the aim for better coordination of forest related policies as stated by the Commission in its Strategy text; therefore calls for inclusive, well structured and balanced implementation of the strategy that is driven by the needs of the sector and Member States;
Amendment 128 #
2014/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 14 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) all job vacancies available with its public employment services as well as those provided by its EURES Partners; giving the member States the option to allow employers not to publish their vacancies in the EURES in case this is justified by the recruitment process;
Amendment 139 #
2014/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 5
Article 15 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall put in place a national hub by using, if possible, already existing governmental structures, to allow for the transfer to the EURES portal of information on job vacancies, job applications and CV’s made available by any organisation that is willing to share this information also on the EURES portal.
Amendment 143 #
2014/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The EURES Partners concerned shall provide information and guidance to employers interested in recruiting workers from other Member States and in particular offer them pro-actively if possible the following services: