EU News

European Union Business News from EUbusiness.com

No patents on naturally obtained plants and seeds, say MEPs — 24 September 2019, 14:03 CET

Fruit, vegetables or animals obtained from conventional breeding processes, such as crossing, must not become patentable, the European Parliament said in a non-legislative resolution on Thursday.

EU, UN and Smurfs help clean up world's beaches — 19 September 2019, 18:22 CET

EU staff joined hands with local communities, and the Smurfs, on beaches across Europe and the world on Thursday, as part of the #EUBeachCleanUp campaign to clean up marine litter.

EUR 740m of fake goods stopped at EU borders — 20 September 2019, 00:12 CET

Fake and potentially dangerous goods worth nearly EUR 740 million were intercepted at EU customs borders in 2018, according to new figures released Thursday by the European Commission.

Stop pretending to negotiate, Barnier tells UK — 19 September 2019, 16:22 CET

Three years after the Brexit referendum, rather than pretending to negotiate, the UK needs to come up with legally binding solutions to the backstop problem, the EU's chief negotiator said Wednesday.

EU food agency consults on cumulative risk of pesticides — 17 September 2019, 18:44 CET

The European Food Safety Authority, the EU's food agency, opened a public consultation Tuesday on its pilot assessments of the risks posed to humans by residues of multiple pesticides in food.

New EU call for local authorities to apply for free Wi-Fi in public spaces — 18 September 2019, 23:03 CET

The EU Commission launched Thursday a new call for applications for vouchers to set up free Wi-Fi networks in public spaces, including town halls, public libraries, museums, public parks or squares.

New rules for online shopping in EU take effect — 18 September 2019, 23:04 CET

New EU rules on online shopping, which came into force on Saturday 14 September, should make it easier and safer for consumers to pay for goods and services online and to manage their personal finances.

Performance risks in EU defence plans, say auditors — 12 September 2019, 17:00 CET

The current military capabilities and cooperation of the EU Member States do not match the new level of ambition of the EU’s defence policy, says a review by the European Court of Auditors, out Thursday.

German law restricting Google news not admissible: EU Court — 12 September 2019, 16:40 CET

A German provision stopping Google search from using newspaper snippets without publisher authorisation must be disregarded as it was not notified to the Commission, the EU Court ruled Thursday.

EU reaffirms ambition for climate neutrality by 2050 — 12 September 2019, 00:19 CET

The European Commission reaffirmed the EU's commitment to accelerated climate ambition Wednesday, as it makes preparations for a long-term strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Von der Leyen's new Commission affirms green credentials — 12 September 2019, 00:10 CET

EU Member States accepted Tuesday the list of Commissioners until 31 October 2024 proposed by European Commission president-elect Ursula Von der Leyen, with climate policy put forward as a top priority.

Europe's satnav system reaches 1 billion smartphones — 12 September 2019, 00:10 CET

Galileo, Europe's satellite navigation system, reached 1 billion smartphone users worldwide Tuesday, as the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency reached its 15th anniversary.

Eurojust launches new Counter-Terrorism Register — 06 September 2019, 00:40 CET

A new Counter-Terrorism Register, launched Thursday by Eurojust, the EU's agency on judicial cooperation, will help EU countries exchange information on terrorist offences in a quick, efficient and uniform manner.

EU states' VAT collection gap at EUR 137 bn in 2017 — 10 September 2019, 23:48 CET

Thorough reform of the VAT system is needed to make it more fraud-proof, the EU Commission said Thursday as it released a study showing Member States lost EUR 137 billion in VAT revenues in 2017.

EU issues Brexit 'no-deal' checklist for European businesses — 06 September 2019, 00:07 CET

With 8 weeks to go until the possible withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU on 31 October, the Commission reiterated Wednesday its call for EU27 businesses to prepare for a ‘no-deal' scenario.

Children to get EU milk, fruit and veg as school year begins — 04 September 2019, 17:01 CET

With the start of a new school year, the EU school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme, aimed at promoting healthy eating to schoolchildren, is to resume in participating EU countries for 2019-2020.

EU sets out proposal for sustainable fishing in Baltic Sea — 06 September 2019, 00:06 CET

The situation of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea is 'serious', the EU Commission said Friday as it set out proposals for 2020 fishing opportunities for the commercially most important fish stocks.

EU extends anti-dumping measures against Chinese bicycles — 03 September 2019, 00:32 CET

The EU has extended anti-dumping duties on imported Chinese bicycles of 48.5% until 2024, a measure called for by European trade unions, bicycle manufacturers, small businesses and cyclists.

EU agrees measures to combat drought in Europe — 31 August 2019, 00:25 CET

EU Member States agreed Wednesday to a series of support measures to ease financial difficulties faced by farmers due to adverse weather conditions, and increase the availability of feed for animals.

EU support programme helps Greece towards financial stability — 28 August 2019, 23:23 CET

Greece has shown steady recovery since it successfully concluded its European Stability Mechanism support programme to restore financial stability and promote growth and job creation, the EU said Tuesday.

EU starts probe into dumped hot rolled steel from China, Taiwan and Indonesia — 20 August 2019, 15:32 CET

The European Commission initiated Monday an anti-dumping investigation into imports of hot rolled stainless steel sheets and coils from China, Indonesia and Taiwan.

EU bolsters support for refugees in Turkey — 13 August 2019, 15:12 CET

The EU Commission has announced an additional EUR 127 million of funding for the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) programme via the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey.

EU, United States sign agreement on imports of hormone-free beef — 08 August 2019, 23:43 CET

The European Union and the United States signed in Washington D.C. Friday an agreement reviewing the functioning of an existing quota to import hormone-free beef into the EU.

Ryanair has to return EUR 8.5m illegal state aid: EU — 08 August 2019, 23:43 CET

France must recover EUR 8.5 million of illegal state aid made to Ryanair, the EU Commission said Friday, as regional marketing agreements at the airport of Montpellier are illegal under EU state aid rules.

EU work-life balance directive comes into force — 04 August 2019, 23:43 CET

An EU Directive on work-life balance, which came into force Thursday, aims to increase the participation of women in the labour market and the take-up of parental leave and flexible working arrangements.