US cheese tariff grates EU - EUbusiness Week no 429

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EUbusiness Week - Issue 429
23 January 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com
Your way through the EU information maze
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This Week's Top Stories
=======================
1. Europe to suffer deep recession, surging unemployment
2. European countries vow no repeat of gas crisis
3. Debt-plagued EU companies face refinancing test
4. EU cancer deaths could rise without proper screening
5. Germany sees deal on reduced VAT for restaurants
6. Food poisoning cases rise in Europe

Publisher's Note
================
US President Barack Obama may be surprised to find among his
inauguration gifts a box of Roquefort, sent by makers of the
world-famous cheese in southern France. They hope it will
remind him of former President Bush's parting gift: a
tripling of import duty to 300 per cent -- payback for
an EU ban on US hormone-treated beef.

As the EU looks for improved transatlantic bonds to confront
the global economic crisis and strife in the Middle East, the
cheese-makers will be hoping for one thing: that a taste of
Roquefort will make President Obama reconsider this
harsh blow to their livelihoods.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232136126.31

Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. Europe to suffer deep recession, surging unemployment
---------------------------------------------------------
The EU economy will shrink nearly 2.0 per cent this year, as
one of the worst recessions on record drives unemployment and
government deficits to levels not seen for years, the
Commission forecast on Monday.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232367426.04
EU sees Baltics, Hungary in recession in 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232371022.48

2. European countries vow no repeat of gas crisis
-------------------------------------------------
European countries have vowed to avoid a repeat of the crisis
that saw crucial gas supplies cut off for 15 days due to a
row between Russia and Ukraine, as they count the cost of
the dispute.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232553723.3

3. Debt-plagued EU companies face refinancing test
--------------------------------------------------
Although the global credit crunch has shown signs of easing
recently, many European companies face a make-or-break year
as they struggle with debt levels higher than their US
competitors.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232247724.49

4. EU cancer deaths could rise without proper screening
-------------------------------------------------------
EU Member States screen less than half the recommended number
of people for common cancers and the number of deaths is set
to rise unless action is taken, the Commission has warned.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232628423.12

5. Germany sees deal on reduced VAT for restaurants
---------=-----------------------------------------
Germany raised the possibility on Tuesday of lifting its
long-standing opposition to a low value added tax on some
sectors in Europe, opening the door for a compromise on
French restaurants.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232463722.28

6. Food poisoning cases rise in Europe
--------------------------------------
The number of food poisoning cases in the EU is on the rise
with deaths among the elderly a growing cause for concern,
health experts warn in a report.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232462833.7

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

Council Watch
-------------
Debt: finance ministers promised on Tuesday to tackle their
ballooning government deficits once their recession-hit
economies pick up but stopped short of fixing binding
deadlines.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232449325.51
Guantanamo closure to test EU enthusiasm for Obama
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232642822.6
German minister: Turkey blackmailing EU over gas pipe
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232449322.55
Future of Schengen security database under cloud
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232051522.42
http://www.eubusiness.com/European_Council

Euro-Parliament Watch
---------------------
Srebrenica: Bosnian Serb Prime Minister Milorad Dodik has
branded as incorrect and unacceptable a decision by Parliament
to proclaim July 11 a day of commemoration of the Srebrenica
genocide.
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232139723.11

Also this week, Environment Committee MEPs said pollutant
emissions from thousands of industrial installations
throughout the EU must be further reduced, but more flexibly;
the Transport Committee discussed proposals to set up
Intelligent Transport Systems throughout Europe, linking
travellers, vehicles and road infrastructure via new
communication technology; the Employment and Social Committee
urged better EU labour market access for the Roma; and the
Internal Market Committee discussed whether to ban trade
in seal products or label them.
http://www.eubusiness.com/Europarl

EU diary
--------
22-24 Jan, Employment and Social Affairs informal
26-27 Jan, Gen'l Affairs and Ext'l Relations Council
29-30 Jan, Informal Meeting of EU Development Ministers
2-5 Feb, EP Plenary Session
4-5 Feb, Meeting of EU ministers for Family Affairs

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

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

Policy Forum
------------
Banks have a duty to ease SMEs' access to finance
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/eurochambres.09-01-22

Economic crisis must not be an excuse to stop reforms
http://www.eubusiness.com/SMEs/ueapme.09-01-22

Reach Europe's decision-makers! Publish your organisation's
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Briefing
--------
2008 European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS)
http://www.eubusiness.com/Rd/eis.08

Report on cancer screening in Europe
http://www.eubusiness.com/Health/cancer-screening.guide
More briefings: http://www.eubusiness.com/guides

Events
------
20 Mar, Bonn: Ageing Eye Conference
http://www.eubusiness.com/Health/ageing-eye.08

23 March, London: Revenue Management 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com/Members/iir
More events: http://www.eubusiness.com/events

Jobs
----
JASPERS Urban Transport Sector Specialist, EIB
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/eib-job.09-01-22

Head, Strategy Group, World Health Organization
http://www.eubusiness.com/Jobs/who-job.09-01-06
More jobs: http://www.eubusiness.com/jobs

Links
-----
Interim forecasts for 2009-2010
http://www.eubusiness.com/Finance/interim-forecasts-910

Cancer screening in the European Union - report 2009
http://www.eubusiness.com/Health/cancer-screening.09
More links: http://www.eubusiness.com/links

Other news on EUbusiness this week
----------------------------------
Irish govt rejects Ryanair takeover of Aer Lingus 22-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232651826.63
Majority of Serbs back EU bid, enthusiasm wanes 22-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232649121.53
Croatia hails EU initiative on Slovenia border row 22-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232637422.13
EIB earmarks EUR 300 million for Cyprus economy 22-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232629322.08
Climate fight 'will cost EUR 175bn a year by 2020' 21-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232557322.67
EU urges Bulgaria to crack down on corruption 20-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232467321.8
China says Wen will visit Europe, signals ties on mend 20-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232436721.74
S Korea, EU say good progress made on trade pact 20-Jan
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/1232424121.35

Market Research: http://www.eubusiness.com/market-research
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