Briefing
Newsletter - 7-10 October 2013 - Strasbourg plenary session
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A proposed law to make tobacco less attractive to young people, inter alia by banning sweet or fruity flavours, is to be put to a vote on Tuesday. The draft, as amended by the Public Health Committee, would also require more health warnings on packets and subject electronic cigarettes to EU rules on medicinal products.
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MEPs and Commissioner Malmström will discuss whether the EU should suspend its cooperation with the US on the Terrorist Finance Tracking Programme (TFTP) in response to the US National Security Agency's alleged tapping of EU citizens' bank data handled by the Belgian company SWIFT. The debate will be held on Wednesday afternoon. Parliament will then vote on a resolution on this issue at the second plenary session of October.
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The EU's existing Environmental Impact Assessment Directive is being updated, and the Environment Committee proposes extending it to shale gas extraction projects, in a draft resolution to be voted on Wednesday.
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New rules on flight and rest times for pilots and cabin crews will be put to the test on Wednesday, when MEPs vote on a draft resolution opposing the adoption of new safety standards as proposed by the Commission. The Transport and Tourism Committee voted for this resolution on 30 September and asked the Commission to withdraw the proposal.
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Health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists and childcare specialists, who face disciplinary action or criminal sanctions in their home country will be unable to practise in another EU member state under new rules to be voted by Parliament on Wednesday. However, a new electronic card listing their qualifications will also make it easier for professionals to work throughout the EU.
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Proposals to allow veterinarians to declare that meat is fit for human consumption in abattoirs after a simple visual check could be vetoed in a vote on Wednesday. Food Safety Committee MEPs fear that these proposals could result in sanitary problems and risks to human health going undetected.
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The EU's external borders and migrants' lives would be better protected under the new Eurosur border-surveillance system to be debated on Wednesday and put to a vote on Thursday. According to data from the EU border management agency Frontex, more than 72 000 people crossed the EU’s external borders illegally in 2012, about half the number for 2011.
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EU and member state aid for refugees fleeing Syria will be debated with the Council and Commission on Wednesday at 09.00. Parliament will vote a resolution on the same day. Over 2 million Syrian refugees, more than half of them children, have now fled the country. On Wednesday evening, MEPs and the Commission will also debate EU policy on migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean.
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The xenophobic and homophobic acts recently reported in Russia will be debated with the Commission on Wednesday. The issue of NGOs facing a "proactive closing down campaign" by Russian authorities will also be raised.
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MEPs will debate the rise of right-wing extremism in Europe, with Viviane Reding, EU Commission Vice-President and Commissioner for Justice, Citizenship and Fundamental Rights, on Wednesday afternoon.
Contacts:
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Andrew BOREHAM
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Mary BRAZIER