EU agencies recommend protective masks and distance for air travel
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Recommendation was overdue / Flying dangerous without precautions / Economic considerations must not override health protection / Legal requirements if necessary
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have issued recommendations for the prevention of Covid-19 infections in aircraft. According to these recommendations, passengers should wear masks and there should be a distance between them in the aircraft. For this purpose, it is said that one seat per row or every second row in the aircraft should be left free. MEP Peter Liese, EPP spokesperson for health emphatically welcomed the recommendation. "This recommendation was overdue. I think it completely disproportionate that we allow restaurant owners; fitness studio operators and others to work only under strict conditions and with the necessary distance, but that the airlines still have the option of operating the aircraft down to the last seat.
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Remdesivir awaiting conditional marketing authorisation in the European Union
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Very good news for patients / Closely monitor effects and side effects in future
The European Medicines Agency is, at short notice, planning the conditional marketing authorisation for the antiviral medicine Remdesivir in order to treat Covid-19. This was announced by the Director of the European Medicines Agency, Guido Rasi, answering a question of the spokesperson for health of biggest political group in the Europe Parliament (EPP - Christian Democrats) Peter Liese, at a hearing in the European Parliament's Committee on Environment and Health. Conditional marketing authorisation means that, according to the experts' assessment, the medicine is likely to be effective and shows little side effects. However, it is still necessary to closely monitor the ongoing treatment.
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Commission presents biodiversity strategy and farm-to-fork strategy
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Need climate-friendly food production, but no unnecessary burden for farmers
Today, the European Commission will present its biodiversity strategy and the Farm-To-Fork strategy, both are part of the Green Deal. The strategies aim to protect biodiversity in Europe and make food production more sustainable. "More than ever, many people are questioning the environmental impact of the food on their plates. For producers and farmers, this is now an opportunity to make food production more sustainable and transparent. Consumers should be able to understand the process of food production. But we have to do this in a balanced way", said Dr. Peter Liese, environmental spokesperson of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats). He welcomes most of the Commission's proposals: "I strongly support the promotion for more climate-friendly food production. But especially in the current crisis we must avoid unnecessary burden for farmers".
Read more: Commission presents biodiversity strategy and farm-to-fork strategy
Only strong European cooperation will guarantee availability of vaccines and drugs against corona
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European Medicines Agency shortens approval procedures to a maximum/ The EU must speak "the language of power" in distribution
"We need maximum European cooperation to make a vaccine and/or drug against Covid-19 available as soon as possible." This said MEP Peter Liese, EPP spokesperson for health. "Europe plays a key role both in research and development and in approval and production. All vaccines have to be tested seriously before they are approved for Europe by the European Medicines Agency. That is why it is extremely important that the European Medicines Agency advises companies and shortens the approval procedures to a maximum. However, this must not be at the expense of safety. All vaccines authorised in Europe are safe and this must also apply to a vaccine against corona. An attitude such as that of Donald Trump, who suggested injecting people with disinfectants if in doubt, would be dangerous. That is why I very much welcome the European Medicines Agency's approach: to act quickly but thoroughly. Once a medicine or a vaccine is available, Europe, to use Ursula von der Leyens words, must also speak the language of power.