EU okays curved cucumbers - EUbusiness Week no 421

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EUbusiness Week - Issue 421
14 November 2008
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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This Week's Top Stories
=======================
1. EU calls for clampdown on credit rating agencies
2. EU looks to secure energy supplies
3. EU approves takeover of Alitalia assets
4. EU opens landmark talks with Libya
5. EU hesitates with food aid as recession looms
6. Lego loses toy brick trademark case at EU court

Publisher's Note
================
With gloomy news threatening to engulf us, we should
celebrate the EU's green light this week for non-standard
fruit and veg. Marketing standards for some 26 fruits and
vegetables are being scrapped, leaving the way open for the
return to supermarket shelves of bent cucumbers and knobbly
carrots.

France and others had argued that scrapping the restrictions
could lead to a fall in prices and so hit farmers. But
discerning European shoppers will know that standard-looking
does not necessarily mean of high quality. They will also
welcome less waste and more choice, as well as the cutting
of red tape. Bananas will remain the same shape, however.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226492226.27

Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU calls for clampdown on credit rating agencies
---------------------------------------------------
The Commission called on Wednesday for a clampdown on credit
rating agencies, proposing new rules for them in the hope
of helping restore confidence in financial markets.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226493122.5
EU proposes tougher rules to tackle tax evasion
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226577722.45

2. EU looks to secure energy supplies
-------------------------------------
The Commission has unveiled new proposals to increase
energy supply security, closely targeting the Baltic
states, and cut back EU dependency on Russia.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226578626.06
EC report on energy security
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226339223.4

3. EU approves takeover of Alitalia assets
------------------------------------------
The Commission has given approval for a group of private
investors to take over assets of Alitalia while ruling
that they would not have to repay a state loan judged
to be illegal.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226485022.03
Ryanair to appeal 'corrupt' support of Alitalia takeover
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226595721.75

4. EU opens landmark talks with Libya
-------------------------------------
Libya and the EU heralded a new era in their relations on
Thursday, opening talks on a first-ever partnership
agreement 20 years after the Lockerbie bombing made
Tripoli an international pariah.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226584022.09

5. EU hesitates with food aid as recession looms
------------------------------------------------
As a recession looms, European countries have begun
dragging their feet over promises to help farmers in
developing countries combat the world food crisis.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226420221.83

6. Lego loses toy brick trademark case at EU court
--------------------------------------------------
Danish toy giant Lego on Wednesday lost a case at the
European Court of First Instance in a trademark dispute
over its famous plastic bricks.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226501227.34

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Inside the EU Institutions
==========================

Council Watch
-------------
Russia: Europe's leaders were to sit down on Friday with
Russia's Dmitry Medvedev hoping to renew economic ties with
their biggest energy supplier despite deep divisions over
the war in Georgia.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226492245.62
Member States want cooperation with China on Africa
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226318522.22
Czech president triggers EU row with Ireland
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226534523.03
EU makes pitch for 'unified' Arctic research
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226332923.12
http://www.eubusiness.com/European_Council

Commission Watch
----------------
Auditors: EU auditors on Monday gave their first ever
overall stamp of approval to the bloc's book-keeping but
also warned that spending of EU funds remains riddled
with errors.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226332929.27
Popular pressure mounts on farm handouts, UK rebate
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226510222.06
Bulgaria ex-farm fund chief charged with EU aid fraud
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226342822.67
http://www.eubusiness.com/Commission

Euro-Parliament Watch
---------------------
Satellites: the EP president has called for EU budget money
to be made available to finance the gathering of satellite
intelligence for EU peacekeeping missions.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226340130.52
Britain's Conservatives expel MEP over expenses row
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226530922.61

Parliament's political groups devoted much of the week to
preparations for next week's Strasbourg session. The agenda
includes the CAP 'Health Check', the proposed Blue Card
system for skilled third country nationals seeking
employment in Europe, measures to enforce road safety
rules across EU borders and new rules for a single
market in defence products.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Europarl

EU diary
--------
18-19 Nov, Agriculture and Fisheries Council
20-21 Nov, Education, Youth and Culture Council
21 Nov, ECOFIN Budget Council
27 Nov, JHA Council
27 Nov, Transport, Telecoms and Energy Council

The Week Ahead: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/EUcalendar
Long-term diary: http://www.eubusiness.com/events/eu-diary

EUbusiness Community
====================

EUpress
-------
Greenpeace response to EC 2nd Strategy Energy Review
http://www.eubusiness.com/Environ/greenpeace.08-11-13

Revision of Construction Products' Regulation: UEPC
http://www.eubusiness.com/Press/uepc.08-11-13

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EUguides
--------
Savings Taxation Directive review
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/savings-taxation-guide

EU credit rating agencies proposal
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/credit-rating-guide

EU approach to tackling Rare Diseases
http://www.eubusiness.com/Health/rare-diseases-eu-guide

Alitalia decision and state aid to air transport sector
http://www.eubusiness.com/Competition/air-transport-aid
More guides: http://www.eubusiness.com/guides

EUevents
--------
27 Nov, Brussels: Credit Crunch and Late Payments
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/intrum-justitia

26 Jan, London: Telecoms Business Services
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/iir/business09
More events: http://www.eubusiness.com/events

EUjobs
------
Lawyer - Private Equity, European Investment Fund
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/eif-job.08-11-12

Campaign Coordinator, Friends of the Earth Europe
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/foe-job.08-11-04
More jobs: http://www.eubusiness.com/jobs

EUlinks
-------
EU Budget Reform
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/eu-budget-reform

Animal Testing: alternative methods website
http://www.eubusiness.com/Rd/tsar

EURANET European Radio Network
http://www.eubusiness.com/Media/euranet
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Other news on EUbusiness this week
----------------------------------
China settles financial info dispute with EU, US 13-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226586722.83
French health system worse, but still better than UK 13-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226606521.41
Eurozone braces for recession announcement 13-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226585825.44
Norway to adopt EU services directive 13-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226577724.4
Regulators raid French pharmaceutical sites 13-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226576822.53
EU fines car glass cartel EUR 1.4 billion 12-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226492223.78
EU to negotiate trade pact with Colombia, Peru 12-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226413927.61
EU nations launch air transport fleet initiative 11-Nov
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1226332935.7

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