Activities of Antonio DE BLASIO
Plenary speeches (16)
Protection of the Communities' financial interests - Fight against fraud - Annual report 2007 (A6-0180/2009, Antonio De Blasio)
Community ecolabel scheme - Voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) (debate)
Shared effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (debate)
Investigations conducted by the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) (debate)
Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union (debate)
White Paper on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity-related health issues (debate)
White Paper on Sport (debate)
2006 discharge (debate)
4th report on economic and social cohesion - Territorial Agenda and the Leipzig Charter (debate)
Airport charges (debate)
Road Map for renewable energy in Europe (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 144)
Future enlargements and cohesion (debate)
Accession of Bulgaria - Accession of Romania (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 144)
Strategic guidelines on cohesion (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT Report on the protection of the Communities' financial interests and the fight against fraud - Annual report 2007 PDF (219 KB) DOC (138 KB)
Opinions (2)
OPINION Proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the effort of Member States to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Community’s greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments up to 2020
OPINION Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on airport charges
Amendments (153)
Amendment 49 #
2009/2009(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls the attention of the Commission to the presidency conclusions of the European Council of 11 and 12 December 2008 wherein the simplification of procedures and faster implementation of programmes financed by the Cohesion Fund was explicitly mentioned; therefore asks the Commission to immediately submit its amendments concerning Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/2006 of 11 July 2006 establishing a Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 50 #
2009/2009(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Supports the proposed changes to the implementation rules aiming to increase the flexibility of the Structural Funds and to adapt them to meet the needs of the extraordinary economic circumstances. Nevertheless, encourages the Commission to look at the possibility of simplifying the existing instruments in such a way that it does not allow the management and control systems of the Member States to become lax;
Amendment 55 #
2009/2009(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that measures, such as acceleration of payments, the use of lump sum payments and flat rates, moreover the acceleration of public procurement will stimulate the implementation of projects especially in infrastructure and energy and environmental sectors;
Amendment 64 #
2009/2009(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Agrees and fully supports the Commission's and the Council's one of the most important recommendations for tackling the present financial crisis so to invest more money and human power into energy efficiency, energy interconnections, and renewable energy projects; therefore asks the Commission not to put any obstacles in the Member States' way and urges to Commission to allow the Member States if necessary to rearrange their Structural and Cohesion Funds to fulfil the priorities of the European Economic Recovery Plan;
Amendment 75 #
2009/2009(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission to coordinate the Member States' implementation of structural reforms envisaged in the Lisbon Strategy and asks to present the "country chapters" to its Committee on Regional Development quarterly from the Spring Council 2009 onwards;
Amendment 1 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Deplores the delay in adopting the proposal for a regulation on mutual administrative assistance for the protection of the financial interests of the European Community against fraud and any other illegal activities (COM(2006)0473) and the proposal for a regulation amending Regulation No 1798/2003 to combat tax evasion connected with intra-Community transactions (COM(2008)0147) 1, which causes serious damage to the efficiency of the fight against VAT fraud;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the fact that, following its Communication concerning the need to develop a co-ordinated strategy to improve the fight against fiscal fraud (COM(2006)0254), the Commission adopted a Communication on a coordinated strategy to improve the fight against VAT fraud (COM(2007)0758), and expects the Commission to submit legislative proposals in this areafollows with special attention both the Commission proposal for a Council directive concerning mutual assistance for the recovery of claims relating to taxes, duties and other measures (COM(2009)0028) and the Commission proposal for a Council directive on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (COM(2009)0029);
Amendment 4 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Points out that the milk, fruit and vegetable, sugar and rural development sectors taken together account for about 77% of the total amount of irregularities and that rural development represents alone about 38% of all irregularities reported; further notes that the highest amount in irregularities within rural development is reported for the support measure "forestry" and the highest number of irregularities is reported for the support measure "agri-environment"; therefore asks OLAF to pay special attention in its next annual report to the irregularities affecting rural development;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Points out that the reporting compliance rates, in particular timely reporting, vary greatly between Member States; deplores that for Austria and Sweden the time gap between the detection and the reporting of the irregularities is far beyond the average time gap (1,2 years): 3,4 and 2,3 years respectively;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Has reservation about the fact that according to OLAF there were no suspected fraud cases for ISPA in 2007; 1 F, IRL, SE, ES, LV and LU; since November 2008 the situation has improved, with D and EST using an electronic file and no paper notification. 2 Timely reporting is especially a problem in ES, F and NL. 3 ES, F, IRL and LU.notes that Cyprus and Lithuania did not report any cases in 2007; Or. en
Amendment 11 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Welcomes the publication of the above- mentioned second report of OLAF on on- the-spot checks and inspections outlining good practices for each stage of checks, as well as the new version of the OLAF Vademecum (guidelines); requests the Commission to send Parliament's competent committee the updated and comprehensive version of OLAF's manual by September 2009;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47 a (new)
Paragraph 47 a (new)
47a. Reminds the Commission of Parliament's request to include in the 2008 PIF Report an analysis of the Member States' structures involved in combating irregularities;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Notes that the national audit authorities have considerable competencies in audits regarding EU- funds and they provide the first source of information for both national prosecution authorities and EU institutions; believes therefore that maximising the cooperation and information flow between audit authorities, national prosecution authorities and OLAF is in our common interest;
Amendment 17 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Amendment 18 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49a. Points out that the Anti-Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS) for OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office) in the Member States which acceded to the EU after 2004 are very important information/contact points for OLAF; however points out that so long as these offices are not independent from the national administration, their functional added value is minimal (especially concerning reporting of irregularities to the Commission); therefore asks the Commission to make a proposal to the relevant committee about making the work of these offices more valuable;
Amendment 21 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 a (new)
Paragraph 52 a (new)
52a. Underlines that it is essential to have in place expedient and effective mechanisms to freeze and confiscate assets abroad and therefore a recasting of the existing EU legal framework should be considered; stresses that Council Decision 2007/845/JHA should be implemented, as a matter of urgency, in order to ensure that all Member States set up or designate Asset Recovery Offices (AROs);
Amendment 22 #
2008/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 52 b (new)
Paragraph 52 b (new)
52b. Reiterates its call on the Commission to provide Parliament with a detailed analysis of the system or systems used by organised crime to undermine the Communities' financial interest; finds the yearly Europol Organized Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA) useful, but not sufficient in this respect;
Amendment 11 #
2008/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. underlines that food quality systems should offer a guarantee for consumers of the authenticity of local ingredients and production techniques; considers therefore that such schemes need to be implemented and operated with reinforced controls and traceability systems;
Amendment 12 #
2008/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. considers that labelling the main ingredient(s) of food products with the place of origin is desirable if the main ingredient does not come from a "Protected Geographical Indications" (PGI) or "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO) area; the main ingredient should be interpreted as the ingredient that constitutes more than 50% of the food product; stresses furthermore that such labelling schemes should be used on a voluntacompulsory basis;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. calls for use of the “Made in EU” mark, used as a guarantee of quality and denoting the origin of agricultural and food products, to be permitted only when products contain no ingredients from third countries or when no stage of their production process takes place in a third country;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. calls for further simplification of marketing standards by clarifying the main criteria to be applied; calls for the development of EU guidelines on the use of general reserved terms, such as “low in sugar”, "low carbon", “dietary” and "natural", in order to avoid misleading practices;
Amendment 15 #
2008/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. stresses the need to promote organic products and farming as a source of high quality food and a catalyst for environment and animal welfare protection; calls for a simplification of the certification system so as to further develop the organic products market and the introduction, without further delay, of a compulsory EU logo as a means to further increase consumer knowledge and recognition of organic products and to distinguish genuine European organic products;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2220(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. recognises that consumers have ever growing demands on the quality of food and food products, not only in terms of safety, but also in terms of ethical concerns, such as environmental sustainability, animal welfare protection and genetically modified organisms (GMO) technologies; calls on the Commission to provide, for foodstuffs and food products from the EU and imported from third countries, criteria for quality initiatives such as voluntary GMO-free labelling schemes which will provide consumers with a clear choice.
Amendment 148 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution - Conclusions concerning the special reports issues by the Court of Auditors
Heading before paragraph 136 a (new)
Heading before paragraph 136 a (new)
Part II a Special Report No 1/2008 concerning the procedures for the preliminary examination and evaluation of major investment projects for the 1994-1999 and 2000-2006 programming periods
Amendment 149 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution - Conclusions concerning the special reports issues by the Court of Auditors
Paragraph 136 a (new)
Paragraph 136 a (new)
136a. Calls on the Commission to review the strict approval procedure for major projects, but recommends that it rationalise decision-making by indicating real values, thereby avoiding treating the procedure as an excessively ‘administrative procedure’, reducing the length of the decision-making process to within reasonable limits, and establishing, as soon as possible, an independent unit for major projects with horizontal competence within DG REGIO; points out the importance of funding investment in software, as this will make the system more transparent and easier to control; at the same time, the Commission must not reduce the number of on-the-spot checks as a result of this investment;
Amendment 150 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution - Conclusions concerning the special reports issues by the Court of Auditors
Paragraph 136 b (new)
Paragraph 136 b (new)
136b. Calls on the Commission to report on the practical application of the n+2 and n+3 rules for major projects, since some Member States have tried to ‘circumvent’ the ERDF rules (more specifically, the n+2 rule) by merging a number of projects such that the total figure for these fell just short of the threshold values for major projects and then waiting for the Commission decision to suspend the n+2 rule;
Amendment 151 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution - Conclusions concerning the special reports issues by the Court of Auditors
Paragraph 136 c (new)
Paragraph 136 c (new)
136c. Points out – and seeks an answer to – the question of how the ‘risk-averse’ culture might have come about (with high-quality, innovative investments losing prominence), a practice which runs completely counter to the Community’s efforts as laid down in the Lisbon agenda; considers that the problem lies not with funding infrastructure investments but the fact that Member States have the opportunity to avoid innovative – ‘risky’ – investments;
Amendment 152 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution - Conclusions concerning the special reports issues by the Court of Auditors
Paragraph 136 d (new)
Paragraph 136 d (new)
136d. Considers it regrettable that the Commission (DG REGIO) is funding not education and training for its own staff but a separate group (JASPERS), which is located within the structure of the European Investment Bank and is therefore not accountable to the Commission for its work; points out to Member States that, if they fail to provide training and development for their pools of experts, they will be dependent on groups of foreign, external experts, resulting in considerable indirect expense to the country in question;
Amendment 153 #
2008/2186(DEC)
Motion for a resolution - Conclusions concerning the special reports issues by the Court of Auditors
Paragraph 136 e (new)
Paragraph 136 e (new)
136e. Supports the initiative whereby the European Commission undertakes to draw up the ex-post evaluation of major projects and determines what information (uniform and comparable data) – to be gathered and forwarded by the Member States by the stipulated deadline – is needed; is of the opinion that monitoring needs to be focused in this way because there is currently no tangible evidence that major projects financed by Community funding are effective and that the Member States have used the funds received as effectively and productively as possible;
Amendment 154 #
2008/2186(DEC)
136f. Points out that, at present, information on major projects is available in the Commission’s annual report on the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund only after it has been approved; calls, therefore, on the Commission to ensure that its homepage will enable citizens to monitor the status of any major project;
Amendment 122 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Emphasises that an accurate definition of the different circumstances, strengths and weaknesses of individual territories is crucial for realising the added value implied in territorial cohesion; special features may act as a basis for the division of labour while the European Union’s cohesion policy is brought to fruition;
Amendment 125 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Considers that first of all there should be an examination of the way in which the instruments that are currently available could be extended so as to apply to the territorial cohesion objectives;
Amendment 126 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Amendment 131 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. recommends that the impact assessment mechanism currently used by the European Commission be extended to territorial aspects;
Amendment 133 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Taking into account the fact that this is a new concept, it is especially important with regard to cooperation that not only horizontal but also vertical communication be developed between players in different sectors;
Amendment 140 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 142 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Since the lack of coordination between policies significantly hinders the effectiveness of realising the objectives and thus results in surplus costs, draws attention to the importance of the fact that the goals defined for territorial cohesion must, where possible, be realised within the current administrative and institutional frameworks, without further increasing the bureaucratic burden, thus significantly improving cost-effectiveness and orientation towards results;
Amendment 159 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Since the objective of cohesion policy is for the quality of life of European Union citizens to be at the same level throughout the territory of the Union, considers it crucial to apply the same indicators that are capable of measuring the level of quality of life;
Amendment 174 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Draws attention to the fact that a multi-level strategy is needed for effective realisation, which must aim not to have one common plan for all regions, and the European Union should merely show the way towards developing regional strategies that reflect specific characteristics;
Amendment 176 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Emphasises that the concept of territorial cohesion must be broken down into more specific goals that are formulated at local level;
Amendment 191 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Emphasises that the effectiveness of projects that are implemented at Member State or local level should also be measured with regard to the extent to which the projects in question have contributed to improving cohesion and thus quality of life;
Amendment 197 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Recommends, in order to strengthen the realisation of partnerships, that the ministers of the Member States of the European Union with responsibility for regional and cohesion matters should meet regularly, thus ensuring a flow of information in connection with this issue;
Amendment 198 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. As the aim of territorial cohesion is to ensure equal opportunities for territories with different circumstances so that the territories do not lose their diversity and individual characteristics through uniform development, cohesion must be implemented so that - in accordance with the wording of the Green Paper - we reinforce diversity, and not try to make it disappear;
Amendment 200 #
2008/2174(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Article 30 c (new)
Article 30 c (new)
Amendment 38 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the fact that the possibility of sub-delegation, possibly by means of global grants to municipal authorities within the operational programmes financed by the ERDF, has so far not been fully utilised and is convinced that a clear role for urban areas as intermediary bodies should be envisaged in the context of the multi-level governance approach in the next programming period, and is of the opinion that the urban dimension and sub -delegation in regional policy should be mandatory; nonetheless, sub-delegation must not be allowed to lead to the fragmentation of regional policy, so that the method used for sub-delegation must be carefully regulated;
Amendment 52 #
2008/2130(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that only if sufficient resources are available for sustainable urban development will it be efficient to draw up integrated urban development plans and consequently recommends that available resources be concentrated on specific actions; proposes a minimum level of structural fund expenditure amounting to EUR 1.000, the minimum amount of which, per inhabitant of the urban area per programming period, must be determined in such a way that setting aside that amount shall not constitute an unrealistic burden for the regions;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. Whereas water scarcity and drought are a complex environmental issue, and should as such be regulated in close connection with and taking account of other environmental issues;
Amendment 20 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. Whereas a region's economic situation, competitiveness and development opportunities are determined by these complex environmental issues;
Amendment 37 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6a (new)
Paragraph 6a (new)
6a. Notes that the issue of water treatment is a strategic problem of great importance both at European and at Member State level; therefore considers it indispensable for this matter to be regulated at EU level in accordance with the following recommendations;
Amendment 42 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6b (new)
Paragraph 6b (new)
6b. Points out that many regions within the EU are confronted with a very serious water scarcity and drought problem;
Amendment 43 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6c (new)
Paragraph 6c (new)
Amendment 44 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6d (new)
Paragraph 6d (new)
6d. Points out to the Commission that a region's economic situation, competitiveness and development opportunities are determined by these complex environmental issues;
Amendment 45 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6e (new)
Paragraph 6e (new)
6e. Calls on the Commission – given that several regions in the EU are seriously threatened with desertification, which may have a grave impact on economic life and consequently on further development in the regions concerned – to support all projects aimed at soil-binding;
Amendment 46 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6f (new)
Paragraph 6f (new)
6f. Highlights the importance of agricultural watering, which not only benefits the growth of crops but also replenishes the soil’s water supply, thus boosting the long-term competitiveness and development of agricultural regions;
Amendment 47 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6g (new)
Paragraph 6g (new)
6g. Calls on the Commission, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle, to grant the Member States the necessary flexibility on problems relating to agricultural watering, so that each Member State can regulate this matter in the light of its own specific conditions;
Amendment 48 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6h (new)
Paragraph 6h (new)
6h. Calls on the Commission, given that the problem of water scarcity is closely linked to forest protection, to do all in its power to prevent unnecessary logging and felling of forests which exacerbates devastating floods and results in the washing away of arable soil;
Amendment 49 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6i (new)
Paragraph 6i (new)
6i. Points out that these complex environmental problems can produce serious cross-border impacts, and that it is thus indispensable for the European Union’s Member States, as well as regional and local organisations, to cooperate on the issue of water scarcity and drought and in working out solutions;
Amendment 50 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6j (new)
Paragraph 6j (new)
6j. Points out that water scarcity may be reduced by storing inflowing water or rainwater, and that to that end it is absolutely essential to step up water storage capacities in the European Union;
Amendment 51 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6k (new)
Paragraph 6k (new)
6k. Calls on the Commission, with that in mind, to support the creation of water storage facilities to deal with flooding or torrential rain, thus reducing the affected areas’ exposure to problems of water scarcity and drought;
Amendment 52 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Points out that water scarcity may be reduced by storing inflowing water or rainwater, and that to that end it is absolutely essential to step up water storage capacities in the European Union;
Amendment 52 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6l (new)
Paragraph 6l (new)
6l. Considers it essential – since water storage facilities are of strategic importance and may where necessary permit one Member State to retain water flowing into another Member State – for the criteria for the creation of water storage facilities to be regulated at European level while respecting the subsidiarity principle;
Amendment 53 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Considers it essential – since water storage facilities are of strategic importance and may where necessary permit one Member State to retain water flowing into another Member State – for the criteria for the creation of water storage facilities to be regulated at European level while respecting the subsidiarity principle;
Amendment 53 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6m (new)
Paragraph 6m (new)
6m. Calls on the Commission to support any project which provides for the collection of rainwater and its use for watering or other purposes, thus promoting water saving;
Amendment 54 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to support the creation of water storage facilities to deal with flooding or torrential rain, thus reducing the affected areas’ exposure to problems of water scarcity and drought;
Amendment 54 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6n (new)
Paragraph 6n (new)
6n. Calls on the Commission – since it is necessary to trap precipitation and inflowing water, taking into account the seepage conditions and improving them – to support such projects rather than water drainage, and to propose legislation promoting efforts towards a closed water balance;
Amendment 55 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission – since it is necessary to trap precipitation and inflowing water, taking into account the seepage conditions and the need to improve them – to support such projects rather than water drainage, and to propose legislation promoting efforts towards a closed water balance;
Amendment 55 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6o (new)
Paragraph 6o (new)
Amendment 56 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to support any project which provides for the collection of rainwater and its use for watering or other purposes, thus promoting water saving;
Amendment 56 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6p (new)
Paragraph 6p (new)
6p. Notes that the Member States must encourage firms, factories and other entities using water on an industrial scale to use water more efficiently and economically by means of tax incentives and/or other economic advantages;
Amendment 57 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6q (new)
Paragraph 6q (new)
6q. Points out to the Commission that by devising an efficient water pricing policy which reflects the true value of water, it may encourage consumers to be more sparing in their use of water;
Amendment 58 #
2008/2074(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6r (new)
Paragraph 6r (new)
6r. Stresses the pre-eminent role of regional and local authorities and civil society organisations in awareness-raising campaigns and in organising educational activities;
Amendment 64 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Proposes to the Commission – given that the water scarcity and drought problem is closely linked to the complex of issues surrounding the wasteful use of water – that the criterion of economical water use should be incorporated into the system of conditions for the award of subsidies from EU funds;
Amendment 75 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Amendment 96 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Commission – given that several regions in the EU are seriously threatened with desertification, which may have a grave impact on economic life and consequently on further development in the regions concerned – to support all projects aimed at soil-binding;
Amendment 97 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Highlights the importance of agricultural watering, which not only benefits the growth of crops but also replenishes the soil’s water supply, thus boosting the long-term competitiveness and development of agricultural regions;
Amendment 98 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Commission, in accordance with the subsidiarity principle, to grant the Member States the necessary flexibility on problems relating to agricultural watering, so that each Member State can regulate this matter in the light of its own specific conditions;
Amendment 99 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Commission, given that the problem of water scarcity is closely linked to forest protection, to do all in its power to prevent unnecessary logging and felling of forests, which exacerbates devastating floods and results in the washing away of arable soil;
Amendment 104 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Points out to the Commission that by devising an efficient water pricing policy which reflects the true value of water, it may encourage consumers to be more sparing in their use of water;
Amendment 105 #
2008/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Stresses the pre-eminent role of regional and local authorities and civil society organisations in awareness-raising campaigns and in organising educational activities;
Amendment 3 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Welcomes the fact that the funding allocated to regional policy is increased in the 2009 budget;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Draws attention to the fact that, although expenditure on regional policy objectives has increased, there have nonetheless been reductions in the funding allocated within the European Regional Development Fund to regional competitiveness and employment and to European Territorial Cooperation and that both fields are very important for the 12 new Member States, and recommends therefore that the above-mentioned allocations should at the minimum remain at the 2008 level in such a way that the amount for 2009 keeps pace with annual inflation;
Amendment 5 #
2008/2026(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. Hopes that the budget allocation for the European Solidarity Fund, which has not yet been decided, will not decrease, but on the contrary, particularly in the light of the number of natural disasters, which has grown in recent years, be increased;
Amendment 169 #
2008/2015(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 51
Paragraph 51
51. Welcomes the creation and extension of the Trans-European Rail Networks and calls for the priority projects to be completed as soon as possible, since these are vitally important for freight transport logistics and a sustainable European transport policy;
Amendment 40 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In order to simplify the Community Ecolabel scheme and to reduce the administrative burden linked to the use of the Ecolabel, the assessment and verification procedures should be replaced by a registration systema registration system must be introduced alongside the assessment and verification procedures.
Amendment 42 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) It is necessary to raise public awareness of the Community Ecolabel through promotion actions at EU and Member State level in order to make consumers aware of the meaning of the label and thereby to enable them to make informed choices, as well as to ensure that producers and manufacturers understand the advantages of labels.
Amendment 54 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall ensure that, in the conduct of its activities, the EUEB observes a balanced participation of all relevant interested parties concerned with each product group, such as competent bodies, manufacturers, retailerproducers, service providers, SMEs, importers, environmental protection groups and consumer organisations.
Amendment 65 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 6 a (new)
(6a) The Commission shall ensure that reducing the number of animal experiments and the use of GMOs is a key consideration when determining and reviewing the criteria.
Amendment 71 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
(3a) The Commission shall, within one year of this Regulation coming into force, following consultation with the EUEB and in line with the principles and objectives set out in Article 1, draw up and publish a Community Ecolabel work plan which will determine the aims and include a non-exhaustive list of product groups which it regards as particularly important in terms of Community action. The plan must be regularly updated on an annual basis.
Amendment 83 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
(3) The competent body to which an application for registration is made may charge a fee of up to € 200 for processing the registration. The fee must be established in proportion to the size of the manufacturing company. If a fee is charged, the use of the Ecolabel shall be conditional upon the fee having been paid in due time.
Amendment 85 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 6
Article 9 – paragraph 6
(6) The competent body which has registered a product shall notify each registration to the Commission. The Commission shall establish a common register and update it regularly. That register shall be publicly available, in particular on the internet and from the authorities in the Member States.
Amendment 88 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12
Article 12
Member States and the Commission shall, in cooperation with the EUEB, promote the use of the Community Ecolabel by awareness-raising actions and information campaigns for consumers, producers, manufacturers, public purchasers, traders, retailers and the general public, thus supporting the development of the scheme.
Amendment 90 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The promotion must be carried out via the Ecolabel website which is available in all 23 official languages, an EU information campaign organised by the Commission, and information materials distributed in the Member States.
Amendment 91 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
In order to ensure a harmonised application of the regulation and, in particular, Articles 9 and 10, competent bodies shall undergo a peer evaluation. The peer evaluation shall be operated on the basis of sound and transparent evaluation criteria and provisshare information and experience with each other on a regular, institutionalised framework, and shall endeavour to coordinate the work and services of the competent national organisations.
Amendment 95 #
2008/0152(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – part A – point 1 – subparagraph 2
Annex I – part A – point 1 – subparagraph 2
The preliminary report shall be made available on the Commission's dedicated Ecolabel website, which must be available in all 23 official languages, for comment and reference during the development of the criteria.
Amendment 144 #
2008/0028(COD)
The European Parliament rejects the Commission proposal.
Amendment 250 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
iii) the health impactimpact on health, including the risks and consequences related to harmful and hazardous consumption of a food;
Amendment 251 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
c) information on nutritional characteristics so as to enable consumers, including those with special dietary requirements, to make sufficiently informed choices.
Amendment 287 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) the country of origin or place of provenance where failure to indicate this might mislead the consumer to a material degree as to the true country of origin or place of provenance of the food, in particular if the information accompanying the food or the label as a whole would otherwise imply that the food has a different country of origin or place of provenance; in such cases the indication shall be in accordance with the rules laid down in Article 35(3) and (4) and those established in accordance with Article 35(5);
Amendment 310 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. However, the situation must be avoided whereby food product labels carry a bewilderingly large amount of information and thus become unreadable; it is therefore necessary to ensure, through regulation, that products packaged in small quantities or containers show only the four most important pieces of nutritive information (energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat content).
Amendment 345 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 - paragraph 1
Article 14 - paragraph 1
Amendment 429 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 2
Article 25 – paragraph 2
2. The appropriate date shall be expressed in accordance with Annex IX. as follows:: A. DATE OF MINIMUM DURABILITY: a) The date shall be preceded by the words: - ‘Best before …’, when the date includes an indication of the day - ‘Best before end …’ in other cases. b) The words referred to in point (a) shall be accompanied by: - either the date itself, or - a reference to where the date is given on the labelling. If need be, these particulars shall be followed by a description of the storage conditions which must be observed if the product is to keep for the specified period. c) The date shall consist of the day, month and year in uncoded form, in this sequence and in the same language as the label. d) Subject to Community provisions imposing other types of date indication, an indication of the durability date shall not be required for: - fresh fruit and vegetables, including potatoes, which have not been peeled, cut or similarly treated. This derogation shall not apply to sprouting seeds and similar products such as legume sprouts, - wines, sparkling wines, aromatised wines and similar products obtained from fruits other than grapes, and beverages falling within CN codes 2206 00 91, 2206 00 93 and 2206 00 99 and manufactured from grapes or grape musts - beverages containing 10 % or more by volume of alcohol - soft drinks, fruit juices, fruit nectars and alcoholic beverages with an alcoholic strength of at least 1.2 % vol in individual containers of more than five litres, intended for supply to mass caterers - bakers' or pastry cooks' wares which, given the nature of their content, are normally consumed within 24 hours of their manufacture, - vinegar, - cooking salt, - solid sugar, - confectionery products consisting almost solely of flavourings and/or coloured sugars - chewing gums and similar chewing products, - individual portions of ice-cream. B. ‘USE BY’ DATE: a) The date shall be preceded by the words ‘use by...’; b) The words in point (a) shall be accompanied by: - either the date itself, or - a reference to where the date is given on the labelling. Those particulars shall be followed by a description of the storage conditions which must be guaranteed. c) The date shall consist of the day, the month and the year, in uncoded form, in this sequence and in the same language as the label. d) The manner of indicating the date of minimum durability referred to in point 1(c) of Annex IX may be specified in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 49(2). C. DATE OF MANUFACTURE: a) The date shall be preceded by the words ‘Date of manufacture’; b) The words in point (a) shall be accompanied by: - either the date itself, or - a reference to where the date is given on the labelling. c) The date shall consist of the day, the month and the year, in uncoded form, in this sequence and in the same language as the label.
Amendment 536 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 - paragraph 2
Article 32 - paragraph 2
2. The nutrition declaration may be expressed on a per portion basis alone if the food is prepacked as an individual portionmay in any case only be supplementary to the nutrition declaration given per 100 grams or 100 millilitres.
Amendment 602 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 - paragraph 4
Article 35 - paragraph 4
4. For meat, other than beef and veal, the indication on the country of origin or place of provenance may be given as a single place only where animals have been born, reared and slaughtered in the same country or place. In other cases information on each of the different places of birth, rearing and slaughter shall be given individually.
Amendment 739 #
2008/0028(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex XI – part B a (new)
Annex XI – part B a (new)
Voluntary indication of reference intakes for children (GDAs) on the packaging of food products if these are produced expressly for chldren.
Amendment 31 #
2008/0014(COD)
Member State greenhouse gas emission limits by 2020 compared to 20051990 greenhouse gas emission levels for sources not covered under Directive 2003/87/EC. The Commission must draw up a new table concerning the greenhouse gas emission limit and the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted, expressed in tons.
Amendment 103 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Given the considerable efforts of combating climate change and of adapting to its inevitable effects, it is appropriate that at least 20% of the proceeds from the auctioning of allowances should be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to adapt to the impacts of climate change, to fund research and development for reducing emissions and adaptation, to develop renewable energies to meet the EU’s commitment to using 20% renewable energies by 2020, to meet the commitment of the Community to increase energy efficiency by 20% by 2020, for the capture and geological storage of greenhouse gases, to contribute to the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund1, for measures to avoid deforestation and facilitate adaptation in developing countries, and for addressing social aspects such as possible increases in electricity prices in lower and middle income households. This proportion is significantly 1 COM(2006) 583, 6.10.2006. below the expected net revenues for public authorities from auctioning, taking into account potentially reduced income from corporate taxes. In addition, proceeds from auctioning of allowances should be used primarily to finance and promote investment aimed at reducing emissions, and to cover administrative expenses of the management of the Community scheme. Provisions should be included on monitoring the use of funds from auctioning for these purposes. Such notification does not release Member States from the obligation laid down in Article 88(3) of the Treaty, to notify certain national measures. The Directive does not prejudice the outcome of any future State aid procedures that may be undertaken in accordance with Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty.
Amendment 170 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The Community will continue to take the lead in the negotiation of an ambitious international agreement that will achieve the objective of limiting global temperature increase to 2°C and is encouraged by the progress made in Bali towards this objective. In the event that other developed countries and other major emitters of greenhouse gases do not participate in this international agreement, this could lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions in third countries where industry would not be subject to comparable carbon constraints (“carbon leakage”), and at the same time could put certain energy- intensive sectors and sub-sectors in the Community which are subject to international competition at an economic disadvantage. This could undermine the environmental integrity and benefit of actions by the Community. To address the risk of carbon leakage, the Community will allocate allowances free of charge up to 100% to sectors or sub-sectors meeting the relevant criteria. The definition of these sectors and sub-sectors and the measures required will be subject to re-assessment to ensure predictability, on the one hand, and that action is taken where necessary and to avoid overcompensation, on the other. For those specific sectors or sub- sectors where it can be duly substantiated that the risk of carbon leakage cannot be prevented otherwise, where electricity constitutes a high proportion of production costs and is produced efficiently, the action taken may take into account the electricity consumption in the production process, without changing the total quantity of allowances.
Amendment 183 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The Commission should therefore review the situation by JuneSeptember 201109 at the latest, consult with all relevant social partners, and, in the light of the outcome of the international negotiations, submit a report accompanied by any appropriate proposals. In this context, the Commission should identify which energy intensive industry sectors or sub-sectors are likely to be subject to carbon leakage not later than 30 JuneSeptember 20109. It should base its analysis on the assessment of the inability to pass on the cost of required allowances in product prices without significant loss of market share to installations outside the Community not taking comparable action to reduce emissions. Energy-intensive industries which are determined to be exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage could receive a higher amount of free allocation or an effective carbon equalisation system could be introduced with a view to putting installations from the Community which are at significant risk of carbon leakage and those from third countries on a comparable footing. Such a system could apply requirements to importers that would be no less favourable than those applicable to installations within the EU, for example by requiring the surrender of allowances. Any action taken would need to be in conformity with the principles of the UNFCCC, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, taking into account the particular situation of Least Developed Countries. It would also need to be in conformity with the international obligations of the Community including the WTO agreement.
Amendment 203 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) In order to clarify the coverage of all kinds of boilers, burners, turbines, heaters, furnaces, incinerators, kilns, ovens, dryers, engines, flares, and thermal or catalytic afterburning and flares by this Directive, a definition of combustion installation should be added.
Amendment 223 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 1 – point 1 a (new)
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)
(1a) The scope of Directive 2003/87/EC must also be extended to energy-intensive sectors and sub-sectors which are classified as indirect emitters as a result of their high energy consumption. These energy-intensive sectors and sub-sectors classifying as indirect emitters will be specified by 31 December 2009.
Amendment 240 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 2 – point (b)
Article 1 – point 2 – point (b)
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 3 – point (h)
Article 3 – point (h)
"(h) 'new entrant' means any installation carrying out one or more of the activities indicated in Annex I, which has, as a result of a change in nature or operation or a significant increase in capacity, obtained a greenhouse gas emission permit subsequent to the submission to the Commission of the list referred to in Article 11(1);"
Amendment 242 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 2 – point (c)
Article 1 – point 2 – point (c)
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 3 – point [(t)]
Article 3 – point [(t)]
"[(t)] 'Combustion installation' means any stationary technical unit in which fuels are oxidised producing heat or mechanical energy or both, and other directly associated activities including waste gas scrubbing are carried out;"
Amendment 392 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8
Article 1 – point 8
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 10a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
The measures for direct and indirect emissions referred to in the first subparagraph shall, to the extent feasible, ensure that allocation takes place in a manner that gives incentives for greenhouse gas and energy efficient techniques and for reductions in emissions, by taking account of the most efficient techniques, substitutes, alternative production processes, use of biomass and greenhouse gas capture and storage, and shall not give incentives to increase emissions. No free allocation shall be made in respect of any electricity production unless the electricity produced is used in sectors which are direct or indirect emitters, are classified as exposed and receive free greenhouse gas emission allowances up to a certain performance level.
Amendment 432 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8
Article 1 – point 8
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 2
Article 10a – paragraph 2
2. Subject to paragraph 3, no free allocation shall be given to electricity generators, – apart from combined heat and power (CHP) for industrial use – to installations for the capture, pipelines for the transport or to storage sites for greenhouse gas emissions.
Amendment 478 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8
Article 1 – point 8
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 5
Article 10a – paragraph 5
5. The maximum amount of allowances that is the basis for calculating allocations to installations which are only included in the Community scheme from 2013 onwards shall not exceed, in 2013, the total verified emissions of those installations in 2005 tostarting from 20107. In each subsequent year, the total allocation to such installations shall be adjusted by the linear factor referred to in Article 9.
Amendment 528 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 – point 8
Article 1 – point 8
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 8
Article 10a – paragraph 8
8. In 2013 and in each subsequent year up to 2020, installations which are direct or indirect emitters in sectors which are exposed to a significant risk of carbon leakage shall be allocated allowances free of charge up to 100a percentformance level based ofn the quantity determined in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 6BAT (Best Available Technique) determined at Community level.
Amendment 558 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Article 1 - point 8
Article 1 - point 8
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a - paragraph 9 - subparagraph 1
Article 10a - paragraph 9 - subparagraph 1
At the latest by 30 June1 December 20109 and every 35 years thereafter the Commission shall determine the sectors referred to in paragraph 8.
Amendment 598 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 - point 8
Article 1 - point 8
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10b - introduction
Article 10b - introduction
Not later than June31 December 201109, the Commission shall, in the light of the outcome of the international negotiations and the extent to which these lead to global greenhouse gas emission reductions, and after consulting with all relevant social partners, submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an analytical report assessing the situation with regard to directly and indirectly emitting energy- intensive sectors or sub-sectors that have been determined to be exposed to significant risks of carbon leakage. This shall be accompanied by any appropriate proposals, which may include: - adjusting the proportion of allowances received free of charge by those sectors or sub-sectors under Article 10a;
Amendment 729 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 - point 21
Article 1 - point 21
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 27 - paragraph 1 - introduction
Article 27 - paragraph 1 - introduction
Member States may exclude, from the Community scheme, combustion installations which have a rated thermal input below 25MW, reported emissions to the competent authority of less than 150 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, excluding emissions from biomass, in each of the preceding 3 years, and which are subject to measures that will achieve an equivalent contribution to emission reductions, if the Member State concerned complies with the following conditions:
Amendment 732 #
2008/0013(COD)
Proposal for a directive – amending act
Article 1 - point 21
Article 1 - point 21
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 27 - point b
Article 27 - point b
(b) it confirms that monitoring arrangements are in place to assess whether any installation emits 150 000 tonnes or more of carbon dioxide equivalent, excluding emissions from biomass, in any one calendar year;
Amendment 5 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas it has been scientifically shown that the role of the health sector in the development and preservation of human health amounts to 15% at most, and whereas therefore the task of preserving health is one for society at large and only to a small extent a responsibility of the health services,
Amendment 6 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas it is necessary, in documents preliminary to legislation and in legislation itself, to distinguish strictly and unambiguously between on the one hand the concepts of health and related matters, which are issues for society as a whole, and on the other hand the terms 'health' and 'health services',
Amendment 46 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses that, as a basis for future changes, it is essential to create a database which indicates the situation at any given time using objective measurements, from which the Commission can derive a realistic picture of the true facts;
Amendment 47 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Deplores the fact that the White Paper does not set specific quantifiable and measurable objectives whose attainment could produce tangible results, and recommends that such objectives be adopted;
Amendment 50 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recommends, bearing in mind that health is a European priority that should be pursued as a cross-cutting objective within the Union's various policies, that the Commission should incorporate the aspects of preserving health and promoting healthier life styles in the system of conditions for granting support from European Union funds;
Amendment 51 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Draws the Commission's attention to the fact that health, as one of the priority values of the European Union, should be indicated as a priority not only at European Union level but also at Member-State and individual regional level too;
Amendment 52 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Recommends, as part of efforts to prevent disease, the widespread adoption of the practice of performing health impact assessments, as the impact on human health of the decisions of decision-making bodies at various levels, local and regional authorities and national parliaments is measurable;
Amendment 56 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recommends that the Commission establish a specialist body, the European Non-Communicable Diseases Centre, along the lines of the ECDC (European Communicable Diseases Centre) to investigate and monitor the currently growing phenomenon of non- communicable diseases and formulate a strategy for combating them;
Amendment 72 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses furthermore that, in order to promote investment in health, it is vital to measure the effectiveness of investments to date and to publish the findings;
Amendment 118 #
2008/0000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls upon the Commission to require the individual Member States to formulate national health strategies comprising priorities which must be pursued in other projects not confined to the field of public health;
Amendment 114 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on regions and local entities to develop ‘activity-friendly communities’, especially in the context of urban planning: this can be achieved by mixing commercial and residential development, by organising schools, public means of transport, and accessible sports facilities and by providing biking trails and crosswalks, while at the same time avoiding ‘environmental risk factors’ such as concentration of fast-food outlets, barriers to physical activity, and the absence of sidewalks, parks and recreational facilities; acknowledges the fact that crime reduction is also an important tool for promoting outdoor physical activity, especially among children and elderly people; invites municipalities to promote all network of ‘Towns for a healthy lifestyle’s and initiatives providing common actions to fight obesity;
Amendment 171 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Further, asks Member States, local entities and school authorities to monitor and to improve the quality and nutritional standards of school meals and to review portion sizes; asks for a total ban on the sale of foods and beverages high in fat, salt or sugar in schools; advocates instead making fresh fruit and vegetables available in vending machines; invites the Member States to ensure that more hours of school timetables are devoted to physical activities, to make daily exercise compulsory in educational establishments, in accordance with the objectives of the White Paper on sport, and to provide plans for the construction of new public sports facilities;
Amendment 207 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Warmly welcomes commitments undertaken on a voluntary basis by producers to implementing nutrition criteria for the formulation of foods; stresses, alongside such voluntary commitments, the importance of the role of the state and recommends that Member States use tax and other financial incentives to motivate producers to formulate healthy foods;
Amendment 212 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Also urges Member States to use direct or indirect financial aid to support educational establishments which offer food which is particularly healthy to pupils in the school canteen and/or snack bar;
Amendment 248 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Based on the model of coupons which are redeemable against fresh fruit and vegetables at local food markets, recommends that Member States arrange for the distribution of coupons for sports activities which would be allocated on the basis of an assessment of social situation and state of health;
Amendment 312 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Recommends also that, in addition to the above measures, opportunities provided by the media be used to make children accustomed to a healthy lifestyle through positive advertisements and materials presenting attractive examples of a healthy diet and regular exercise;
Amendment 316 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Is convinced of the need for full recognition of the qualification of medical professionals as ‘clinical dietitians’ as well as ‘nutritionists’; urges Member States to promote the presence at school and in all workplaces of these kinds of doctors or other medical and health care specialists;
Amendment 341 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Is convinced that a horizontal approach is needed, both at European and Member State level, to develop and popularise a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle, in the broadest sense of the term, and to solve the current problems, bearing in mind their multisectoral nature;
Amendment 343 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Stresses the importance of a horizontal approach to the problems caused by diet, excess weight and obesity, particularly in view of the common agricultural policy of the European Union, within which in many cases, no attention is currently paid to the effects on health of subsidised programmes when Community grants are being considered;
Amendment 24 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Draws the Commission's attention to the fact that a programme has already been carried out under the aegis of the WHO as part of which the WHO Member States established their own national and local environmental health action plans comprising specific objectives and implementation plans; recommends to the Commission therefore that it review this WHO programme as a possible model which could also serve as a useful example to the European Union in the future;
Amendment 30 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Draws the Commission's attention to the fact that it is possible to arouse the interest of members of the public most successfully at the level closest to them and that it is therefore essential for regional and local authorities and other bodies which exist to safeguard interests to play an active role, and for them to cooperate closely with representatives of the local nongovernmental sphere;
Amendment 63 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Advises the Commission to envisage (by 2010 and under the ‘second round’ of the health and environment action plan) refocusing its initiatives on vulnerable populations and to devise new methods of risk-assessment, taking into account the fundamental fact that children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable;
Amendment 70 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Recommends that, in order to reduce damaging effects of the environment on health, the Commission should call upon Member States, by means of tax concessions and/or other economic incentives, to interest market operators improving the quality of indoor air and reducing exposure to electromagnetic radiation in their buildings, branch establishments and offices;
Amendment 71 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Recommends that the Commission, as SMEs are of decisive economic importance in Europe, should provide technical support to SMEs to make it possible, and help them, to comply with binding environmental health regulations and encourage them to make other changes which are positive from the point of view of environmental health and affect the operation of enterprises;
Amendment 72 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Recommends that the Commission draft appropriate minimum requirements to guarantee the quality of indoor air in buildings to be newly built;
Amendment 73 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Amendment 74 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 e (new)
Paragraph 14 e (new)
14e. Stresses that health considerations linked to climate change should also be assigned greater importance in every Community policy; recommends therefore that, in the impact assessments which precede new investment and support, the Commission should also take account of the impact of climate on health;
Amendment 75 #
2007/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 f (new)
Paragraph 14 f (new)
14f. Stresses that environmental health information systems must ensure that it is possible to link data concerning the quality of the environment and health, thus assisting research and the further analysis of the interdependences between environmental quality and the state of people's health;
Amendment 56 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3a (new)
Paragraph 3a (new)
3a. Stresses the importance of an integrated approach and points out that the physical and mental state of health of vulnerable groups is to a large extent determined by the condition of their residential environment, with the result that, in order to enhance the quality of life of those affected, extra assistance must be provided to regions lagging behind for programmes aimed at improving the residential environment and environmental development;
Amendment 57 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3b (new)
Paragraph 3b (new)
3b. Draws attention – since the good state of health of those living in a given region is vital if social factors are to be improved – to the need for making the development of a healthy environment at Community, Member State and regional level a priority in order to achieve the aims of the cohesion policy;
Amendment 95 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12a (new)
Paragraph 12a (new)
12a. Notes that poverty has a determining influence on health and quality of life, resulting in significant differences between individual areas in terms of life expectancy at birth and years spent in good health;
Amendment 96 #
2007/2191(INI)
Paragraph 12b (new)
12b. Notes that healthy people form the basis of the functioning of economies, so that the sound health of citizens in all regions in Europe is crucial for long-term development and social, economic and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 97 #
2007/2191(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12c (new)
Paragraph 12c (new)
12c. Points out that the objectives of the Lisbon Strategy can only be achieved with healthy people;