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Objection of communists rejected

The European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety backed the compromise on glyphosate on Tuesday morning. The Members of the European Parliament rejected the objection of the communist group, which called for an immediate ban of glyphosate. The environmental policy spokesman, Dr. Peter Liese, of the EPP-Group in the European Parliament welcomed the result: “The European Parliament voted already last year for timely limited extension of the approval of glyphosate with specific conditions. Even if I could have imagined some details differently, the appeal committee followed the parliament’s recommendations yesterday. The original proposal of the Commission, namely 15 years renewal, was as wrong as the request for an immediate ban of glyphosate. Glyphosate must be subject to strict conditions and I hope that we will find an alternative in the coming years. However, I believe that if it is used according to strict rules its application is acceptable.”

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Acrylamide is more dangerous than Fipronil and Glyphosate


The European Commission proposal strengthens health protection, but avoids excessive regulation


Today, the European Commission has finally adopted a regulation for the avoidance of acrylamide to better protect European consumers from related health risks.

The controversial substance acrylamide can be found in small quantities in almost anything that is roasted, baked or fried, such as crisps or chips.

Peter Liese, MEP and health spokesperson of the biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian Democrats) has consistently warned of the health risks connected to acrylamide in foodstuffs.

“After speaking to many experts and in my judgment as a medical doctor, the danger of acrylamide to health is bigger than that of glyphosate and fipronil. I thought it was totally disproportionate that supermarkets pulled all eggs from stores in the summer because of the firponil scandal. If at all, there only was a health risk if you ate at least 70 eggs over the course of the summer - you should not eat that many eggs anyway because of other negative health effects.

“In contrast we have a real health issue with acrylamide. The quantities that children and young adults consume are significant and, although full certainty is missing, we have to assume that high quantities of acrylamide increase the risk of developing cancer.

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Good for the climate and jobs
 

Today, after two and a half years of negotiations the representatives of the Council of Ministers signed the reform of the EU-Emission Trading Scheme for the timeframe from 2021 until 2030. Beforehand the reform was already brokered by representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission. Besides the traditionally sceptical countries like Poland, Great Britain, due to the Brexit, also raised doubts about its support of the reform in the Council of Ministers.


The environmental policy spokesman, Dr. Peter Liese, of the EPP-Group in the European Parliament welcomed the result: “I am very happy that there was a majority in the Council. The reform is good for climate protection. It helps us to reach the Paris climate goals. Innovative companies will be rewarded and we will on one hand secure jobs and on the other hand create new ones.”
The EU-Emission Trading Scheme covers 45% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of the European Union(the cap for fixed installations in 2013 was 2,084 billion).

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Peter Liese: Proposal of the European Commission is a good basis for negotiations / Demand for 60 % reduction is complete nonsense


The environmental policy spokesman, Dr. Peter Liese, of the EPP-Group in the European Parliament referred to the European Commission proposal regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions of cars, which was published on Wednesday, as a good basis for negotiations. The Commission proposed that the CO2 emissions should be reduced by 15 percent until 2025 and by 30 percent until 2030. Demands by the Greens and environmentalists for a reduction of 40 or even 60 Percent were not considered in the proposal. At the same time there should be incentives to have a high amount of electric cars in the fleet. “The transport sector has to contribute more our climate goals and I believe that the worldwide trend towards electric cars is unstoppable. Therefore, it is important that the European manufacturers quickly adapt towards this development, otherwise this important branch in Europe possibly can’t keep pace with the competition. On the other hand, we have to be very careful and give the industry some time for the conversion. Especially a lot of automotive industries strongly depend on combustion-engines. We should also help them with the conversion. I think that the demands by the greens and environmental organizations for a reduction of 40 or even 60 percent are nonsense and completely unjustified”, Liese said.

  1. Compromise on glyphosate - European Parliament proposes 5 years with strict limits
  2. EU-Institutions prepare for hard Brexit
  3. No advantage for British companies in climate policy in case of a hard Brexit
  4. The decision is regrettable but the Paris Agreement will survive Trump