Details

Peter Liese: Europe has to save the international process, but cannot bear the burden alone / More focus on competitiveness / Task Force for Carbon Markets very successful / Urgently include negative emissions in European emissions trading system

“After Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential elections, the European Union is now even more important than ever in international climate policy. The EU has always been a pioneer in international climate negotiations and, precisely because there is currently no government capable of acting in France, Germany and many other EU countries, it is good that climate policy at the international level is not shaped by the member states, but by the EU. However, we cannot bear the burden alone when it comes to financing and reducing emissions. In the future we will have to pay much more attention to the competitiveness of our economy, especially industry, small and medium-sized businesses and agriculture," said the environmental policy spokesman for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), Dr. Peter Liese in view of the start of the climate conference in Baku.

Details

Peter Liese: Crucial for Patients, but also for Competitiveness and Jobs / Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens block a clear timetable

The European Parliament is urging swift amendments to the controversial Medical Devices Regulation. In the plenary session in Strasbourg, the Parliament passed a text by a large majority, calling on the Commission to make targeted changes in the first quarter of 2025 to address the most pressing challenges. A proposal that outlined a clear timetable for a comprehensive revision of all problematic articles was blocked by the Social Democrats, Liberals and Greens, as some oppose any revision in principle, while others found the timeline too "ambitious."

Details

 Finally, momentum on this issue—reducing bureaucracy benefits not just industry but is crucial for patients as well


The designated Health Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi made clear commitments regarding the revision of medical devices during his hearing before the European Parliament's Committee on Environment and Public Health. "In response to my question, he assured me that, following Parliament's demand, he could implement targeted changes through for example delegated acts by the first quarter of next year. Additionally, he has committed to submitting a comprehensive proposal to revise all problematic articles by 2025. This represents a major success for the European Parliament and, most importantly, for patients," stated Dr. Peter Liese, health policy spokesperson for the largest group in the European Parliament, the EPP-Christian Democrats.

Details

Proposal in the first 100 days of new Commission expected


The biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP Christian Democrats) demands an urgent review of the Medical Device Regulation. “The Regulation was not only well intended but it was also necessary due to a lot of scandals, including the PIP breast implant scandal. It is good that we have unannounced controls, a better surveillance of the notified bodies, and some other improvements. But, unfortunately, we have to clearly see that the EU institutions exaggerated and that there is a lot of red tape that does not really add safety but hinders the production of very much needed medical devices, like for example cardiac catheters for children,” explained Dr. Peter Liese, spokesperson of the EPP in the Committee for Environment and Health, and Tomislav Sokol, spokesperson in the Subcommittee on Health.

  1. EU Commission proposes postponement of EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains by one year
  2. Finally a decision to downgrade the protection status of wolves
  3. The Commission presents a draft for Council recommendations on smoke-free environments
  4. Ursula von der Leyen presents a strong team