Vote

The Parliament today adopted over 80 amendments to the Commission proposal to set quality and safety standards for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells. The amended proposal was approved by 321/89/57.

While generally welcoming the proposal, the Parliament adopted amendments concerning the scope of the directive, compensation for tissue and cell donation, donor consent, donor anonymity and ethical issues.

Ethical issues
On ethics, MEPs insist that this directive expressly recognises the right of Member States to maintain or introduce more stringent protective measures that comply with the provisions of the Treaty (am 28). Member States shall at least prohibit research on human cloning for reproductive purposes and research designed to create human embryos solely for research purposes or to supply stem cells, including by means of the transfer of somatic cell nuclei. Cloned human embryos, and human/animal hybrid embryos produced by cloning, aggregation or any other procedure, and cells and tissues derived from them, shall be excluded as sources of material for transplant. Moreover, MEPs adopted an amendment (93=95) saying that the procurement of tissues after an abortion shall require special rules. No abortion shall be performed to obtain foetal tissue. It shall be ensured by appropriate measures that no pregnant woman is put under any kind of pressure to undergo an abortion in order to obtain tissue. The timing of an abortion and the way it is carried out shall not be influenced by the wish to obtain foetal tissue.

Donations to be voluntary and unpaid
MEPs welcome the Commission's view that tissue and cell transplantation programmes should be based on voluntary and unpaid donation, anonymity of both donor and recipient, altruism of the donor and solidarity between donor and recipient. Although MEPs do not want to keep the private sector out completely, an amendment was adopted demanding that Member States encourage strong public and non-profit sector involvement in the provision of tissue and cell transplant services and the related research. Another amendment calls for donations to be made with the donor's free will and without any payment except compensation, for example travel expenses. However, rules on compensation should be left to the Member States.

Traceability and anonymity
MEPs also insist that EU-wide rules should be laid down to ensure the traceability of tissues and cells of human origin. Even though anonymity of donors was strongly supported, the Parliament adopted an amendment saying that in the case of gametes (sperm and eggs) in particular, Member States may waive anonymity in order to respect the right of children to know their genetic parents, but only in exceptional circumstances (am 94).

Donor consent
Another key issue is the procurement of human tissues or cells, which the Commission says should be carried out only after all mandatory consent requirements in force in a Member State are met. The Parliament wants to go considerably further by demanding that the EU Member States take account of at least the following requirements:

Before any procurement of tissues or cells, living donors must have given their prior, informed and express consent in writing or, in exceptional cases, orally in the presence of witnesses. Until the moment the donated or cells are actually used, donors shall have the right to withdraw their consent without having to face any negative consequences. The donor must be informed about this right and must have had the opportunity, in a prior interview with a doctor, to understand the objectives, risks and inconveniences of retrieval, and the conditions under which it is to be conducted (am 82).

In the case of procurement of tissues and cells from deceased persons, donors must not have expressly refused their consent during their lifetime. In the absence of any declaration by donors during their lifetime, tissues or cells may only be procured if the relatives of the deceased has given prior and express consent.

Cells and tissues may not be retrieved for the purpose of allogeneic donation from individuals who are not in a position to give informed legal consent. Exceptionally regenerative tissue and regenerative cells may be retrieved under strict conditions, e.g. if the recipient is a brother or sister of a donor, the donation is potentially lifesaving for the recipient and the potential donor does not refuse.

Clarification of scope of the directive
The Commission proposal excludes blood and blood products, human organs as well as organs tissues or cells of animal origin from the scope of the directive. The Parliament clarifies the directive's scope even further by including the research use of tissues, haematopoietic peripheral blood, placenta and bone marrow stem cells, reproductive cells (eggs, sperm), foetal tissues and cells, adult and embryonic stem cells. On the other hand, the Parliament excluded hair, nails and body waste products form the directive.

Although MEPs rejected amendments calling for organs to be covered by the directive, they urged the Commission to bring forward before July 2003 a separate legislative proposal on human organ transplants, saying that the Commission should take into account the severe shortages that result in many patients going untreated. The Parliament also adopted an amendment saying that reprogrammed differentiated cells, and genetically modified cells or tissues for human therapy are still in the research phase, but nevertheless pose different regulatory problems that will need to be addressed in due course (am 83).

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Vote

Parliament adopted a conciliation agreement with 270 votes in favour, 8 against, with 4 abstentions approving a regulation on the non-commercial movement of pets. The main purpose of the regulation is to facilitate the free movement of pet animals while guaranteeing a high level of protection for human and animal health. To that end, it seeks to harmonise animal-health measures and the controls on non-commercial movements of pet animals within the Community and from non-member countries.

At the second October plenary the Parliament approved the common position with 14 amendments. These amendments referred, in particular, to the following issues:
electronic identification of pet animals after 8 years;
removal of exemptions from rabies vaccination;
institutional issues (e.g. comitology, involvement of the European Parliament in extending certain transitional periods).

At the meeting of the Conciliation Committee of 18 February 2003 an agreement covering all the outstanding issues was reached. The following components of this agreement deserve particular mention:
during a transitional period of eight years both identification systems for dogs and cats (tattooing and transponders) may be used. After this period tattooing will be phased out and replaced by an electronic identification system (transponders);
the possible extension of the special status granted for a 5-year period to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden will be adopted jointly by the European Parliament and the Council under the co-decision procedure;
the scope of measures to be adopted by the Commission under the comitology procedure was limited to transitional implementing measures and measures of a technical nature.

The directive includes passports for ferrets and proposes anti-rabies vaccinations as a general principle underlying all movements of those animals.

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Vote

Parliament adopted a resolution today calling on the Commission to tighten up the new restrictions it is proposing on cyclamates in soft drinks in line with its consistent drive to make sure that foodstuffs and drinks consumed in the EU are safe.

It is concerned at claims that cyclamates, used as low-calorie sweeteners in drinks consumed in large quantities by children and teenagers in particular, pose health hazards and may cause reduced testosterone levels in rats and are carcinogenic. It believes that the Commission's plan to reduce the maximum levels of cyclamates from the current level of 400 mg/l to 350 mg/l. does not go far enough. The full House passed a Green amendment at first reading today by 237 votes to 229, with 6 abstentions, which reduces the limit to 100 mg/l (and brings it down further from the limit of 250 mg/l previously demanded by the Environment Committee). It also voted to extend the new limit to milk-based drinks in addition to water-based drinks.

The resolution, which was adopted by 440 votes to 20, with 13 abstentions, accepts the Commission's proposal, in the same draft directive, to authorise two new sweeteners, sucralose and aspartame-acesulfame salt. However, it calls for a review of their use within three years. It also wants the use of two other sweeteners, aspartame and Stevia, to be re-examined and calls for proposals to improve the labelling of products containing aspartame. Parliament also wants the new directive to be implemented in the Member States within a year of its entry into force.

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Vote

The Parliament today amended and tightened up the draft regulation from the Commission on detergents by including stricter conditions on derogations from biodegradability rules and clearer labelling for consumers. The MEPs also took a stand on the question of phosphates by urging the Commission to table a new legislative proposal with a view to phasing out phosphates, or restricting them to specific applications, three years after the regulation takes effect. In addition, the Parliament called for new proposals on testing for anaerobic biodegradation and the biodegradation of the product as a whole, these being the two elements of testing neglected by the Commission in its current proposal.

The Commission's stated aim is to remove barriers to the free movement of the detergents and surfactants covered by the regulation while also enhancing environmental and consumer protection. The new regulation replaces, updates and consolidates part of the existing legislation in this area. It would introduce a new method for measuring biodegradability and harmonising the system of biodegradability tests and complementary risk assessments. The Commission also wants to introduce the principle of authorisation for the marketing of surfactants and to establish a mandatory labelling system.

The Commission states that, as a precondition for the granting of a marketing derogation, surfactants that fail the ultimate biodegradability test must pass primary biodegradation tests and undergo a complementary risk assessment. The Parliament insists furthermore that there must be only two conditions for granting a derogation. Firstly, specific industrial or institutional use, provided the volume of sales and use throughout the whole of EU territory is below that which would pose a threat to the environment and health. Secondly, an overall environmental benefit for the detergent’s use must have been shown, while social benefits such as food safety and hygiene standards are ensured (am 47 in stead of am 23).

On labelling, the Parliament adopted an amendment which would group the list of other substances together into categories that are better known than the individual components, thus making them easier for consumers to recognise. The Parliament supported the reporter's, Mauro NOBILIA's (UEN, I), view that an excess of cryptic information on labels can lead to confusion, thus negating the original point of including it. The MEPs also adopted an amendment saying that if a detergent product carries any claim to be 'green' and not the European Eco-label, then it must clearly indicate which of the European Eco-label criteria it does not fulfil. This must be indicated on the packaging next to and in same letter size as the 'green' claim (am 48).

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Vote

Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution with most of the committee amendments and also a series of EPP-ED amendments slightly weakening the reporter's position.

Parliament has voted to amend the directive so that it states that Member States must stipulate that non-genetically modified varieties of seed which contain GMOs may not be placed on the market, or must remain below as low a threshold as possible where traces authorised under Community law are unavoidable in seed.

The reporter wanted evidence to be required under the directive that measures had been taken to prevent the presence of GMOs. The EPP amendments adopted today instead call for "a clear and workable traceability" to establish that the presence of traces of GMOs is adventitious or technically unavoidable."

Press enquiries:
Mary Brazier
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Vote

The report was referred back to the Citizens' Freedoms Committee. The modified proposal was rejected by 189 votes in favour, 266 against and 7 abstentions.

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Danny de Paepe
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Parliament adopted, by 364 votes in favour, 80 against and 7 abstentions, a recommendation to the Council on the future development of Europol after it rejected yesterday the initiatives by Denmark and Greece as suggested by reporters Maurizio TURCO (IND, I) and Christian Ulrik von BOETTICHER (EPP-ED, D). The House argues that the initiatives presented do not address or do not significantly improve the fundamental shortcomings already highlighted in the European Parliament recommendation of 30 May 2002 concerning Europol.

As regards the question of legal basis the Parliament argues that the Council should freeze the procedure regarding the Danish initiative on a Protocol amending the Europol Convention (B). The Convention should be converted into a regulation, allowing Europol to operate in a flexible manner and making Europol part of the first pillar. Regulation should be adopted by co-decision with the Parliament. The level of judicial control within Europol should be equivalent to the standards laid down under the first pillar.

The Parliament addresses also other recommendations to the Council. On budget, part of the Member States contributions to the funding of Europol should be replaced with from the EU budget (recomm. 2). The Parliament's democratic power of control should be strengthened. Therefore the annual activity report should be forwarded both to the Council and the Parliament, and these should be equally involved in the procedure for the appointment and dismissal of the Director of Europol. Parliament should have a formal right to invite the Director of Europol to appear before the competent committee (recomm. 4).

Data protection should be equivalent to that guaranteed under first pillar. Member States and Europol should not authorise the transfer of data to third parties until provisions guaranteeing data protection are in force. The Parliament calls on the Council that Europol, in co-operation with the Member States, should collect data on trends in international crime. The data should be incorporated in the annual reports (recomm. 5). Close cooperation is required between Europol, Eurojust and OLAF (recomm. 6).

On transparency, the Parliament calls on Europol to adopt as soon as possible rules on access to documents in conformity with regulation 1049/2001.

Press enquiries:
Pia Siitonen
(Strasbourg) tel.(33) 3 881 73612
(Brussels)  tel.(32-2) 28 41498
e-mail :   libe-press@europarl.eu.int

Vote

The Parliament rejected by 169 to 257 with 13 abstentions the recommendation on the reform of the UN Conventions on drugs after a heated debate held on Tuesday at the Plenary. Also the reporter Kathalijne Maria BUITENWEG (Greens/EFA, NL) voted against her recommendation after MEPs adopted three amendments by EPP-ED and EDD -groups urging to give full support to maintain the current UN Conventions and calling for the full implementation by the Member States of the Conventions. MEPs voted also that prevention should be central goal for the EU drugs strategy instead of reducing drug use.

Press enquiries:
Pia Siitonen
(Strasbourg) tel.(33) 3 881 73612
(Brussels)  tel.(32-2) 28 41498
e-mail :   libe-press@europarl.eu.int

Vote

Parliament adopted, by 320 votes in favour, 37 against and 48 abstentions, an own-initiative resolution on an information and communication strategy for the EU. MEPs underline the crucial importance of information policy in the context of enlargement and of drafting a European Constitution.

The resolution affirms that citizens have the right to have access to a full, impartial and objective flow of information on the EU, in their own language and "in plain language". The diffusion of this information in all official languages recognised within the Member States and lesser-used languages should be ensured by the appropriate authorities. Information on the EU institutions should be available in the official and co-official languages of the existing information and representation offices and of the new offices in the applicant countries. The information distributed by the EU must highlight the "common European values", namely democracy, pluralism, security, solidarity, equal opportunities, cohesion, etc., and at the same time show citizens the practical advantages in their daily lives of belonging to the Union. MEPs express concern at the poor turnout in European elections (49% in 1999) and call on all the EU institutions, the Member States and the applicant countries to "make an exceptional information effort" for the elections to the European Parliament in June 2004. MEPs want the information campaign to be centred particularly on the use of television. Given the efforts that are needed, the House is concerned by the insufficient short- and medium-term financial and budgetary estimates for a real information policy. However, it is appreciative of the Commission's intention to consolidate inter-institutional co-operation and establish a joint strategy in this area. MEPs confirm their own commitment to closer co-operation between the EU institutions, the pooling of resources between Parliament and Commission activities, a rationalisation of structures, the most effective use of staffing resources and making savings in administrative expenditure.

More generally, Parliament wants to see more decentralisation of the EU's information activities, involving not only the Member States but also the national parliaments and the regional and local authorities. It also says that Parliament's information offices should play a more significant role, in co-operation with their local partners, in implementing and adapting on the ground the institutional strategy that had been defined. The EU institutions are urged to enhance their efforts to develop specific training programmes for media professionals. In addition, MEPs want an annual debate on EU information policy to be held in plenary sitting before the budgetary guidelines for the following year are laid down. Lastly, the resolution calls for the EU's information strategy to be directed towards women in the applicant countries as well, and for gender-neutral non-discriminatory language to be used in information and communication campaigns.

Press enquiries:
Pernilla Jourde
(Strasbourg) tel.(33) 3 881 72420
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e-mail :   cult-press@europarl.eu.int

Vote: 10.04.2003

Vote

Parliament adopted a resolution on the new European security and defence architecture. The central message of the resolution is that the EU's military capability should be strengthened if Europe wishes to become a credible actor on the international stage and a free partner of the United States, prepared to share the burden of defence. Faced with a world characterised by new threats and growing insecurity, MEPs propose the construction of a new European defence architecture, and express deep regret at the current split between the Member States on key foreign policy issues. The House also proposes - as a response to the US National Security Strategy - the development of a Security Strategy of the European Union which would define the Union's values and interests in the field of worldwide stability promotion, conflict prevention and crisis management, and would describe the Union's approach to make the world safer; considers that the release of this strategy could be helpful to build better EU-US cooperation based on common interests and to reduce current differences.

As regards military operations, Parliament wants the EU to have, with effect from 2004, a 5000-strong force kept in a state of permanent readiness for humanitarian and rescue operations. By 2009 this force should be capable of carrying out operations autonomously. The House also expresses support for the EU's decision to take over NATO's "Allied Harmony" operation in Macedonia and its intention to take on the SFOR command in Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, it stresses that the Council should inform Parliament about such missions "after each General Affairs Council meeting, especially with regard to the mandate, the capabilities needed (including possible access to NATO structures) and the financial implications". The resolution also suggests a collective defence clause. Parliament emphasises that NATO remains the indispensable bond between the US and Europe and highlight the importance of clarifying relations between the two military structures. A "solidarity clause" should, it says, be introduced into the Treaty to enable Member States to mobilise all the necessary military and civilian instruments to combat terrorism. On the financial front, MEPs propose that the common costs of military operations under the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) be covered through the Community budget.

With the European Convention's deliberations in mind, the resolution includes a reference to the EU's institutional set-up. MEPs support an enhanced role for the High Representative, who should have the right of initiative in crisis management matters. Elsewhere, Parliament suggests that an Armaments and Research Agency and also a European Institute of Advanced Defence Studies be set up, the aim of the latter being "to sow the requisite seeds within both the armed forces and the civilian population to ensure the emergence of a common defence culture".

The House also considers that the implementation of humanitarian aid operations, in third countries should be entrusted only to specialist international organisations and to non-governmental humanitarian organisation. MEPs state that conflict and crisis prevention by civilian and diplomatic means must be the overall guiding principle of any EU foreign, security and defence policy, but recognising that the European Union must have available military means for crisis management and resolution.

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Joëlle Fiss
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Motions for resolutions - Crisis on the international coffee market
B5-0226/2003, B5-0227/2003, B5-0228/2003, B5-0229/2003, B5-0230/2003, B5-0231/2003
Debate: 10.04.2003
Vote: 10.04.2003

Vote

In the wake of the current coffee crisis, which has seen prices for producers collapse, with a 50% drop over the past three years with severe consequences for 25 million growers in the Third World, MEPs voted 329 to 11 with 2 abstentions in favour of a resolution calling on the Commission and Council to take action to help those affected. The resolution calls on the EU to bring before the International Coffee Organisation/World Bank meeting on coffee, scheduled for 19 May 2003, a development plan geared towards helping countries dependant on coffee to improve quality and to diversify into other crops, strengthen producer influence over prices through the formation of producer organisations and to promote "fair trade" policies with guarantees for fair prices.

The resolution recognises that the market is dominated by four multinationals (Nestlé, Kraft, Sara Lee et Procter & Gamble) and that the problem has been partly caused by changes to the International Coffee Organisation rules, in particular the quota system. Parliament wants companies and traders to adopt codes of conduct with a commitment to paying prices which take account of the social and environmental needs of those dependent on the crop. Indeed, MEPs want the International Coffee Organisation strengthened through the participation of the USA.

Press enquiries:
Armelle Douaud
(Strasbourg) tel.(33) 3 881 74779
(Brussels)  tel.(32-2) 28 43806
e-mail :   deve-press@europarl.eu.int

Vote

Press enquiries:
Mary Brazier
(Strasbourg) tel.(33) 3 88 763969
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Vote

Parliament adopted a joint resolution on human rights violations in Guatemala. MEPs call on the Guatemalan Government to draw up a national policy of food security and rural development, a specific commitment made by the government in the Peace Accords. The House calls on the European Commission to insist that the Guatemalan Government establish appropriate taxation arrangements and an overall poverty reduction strategy. The House expresses its concern for the victims of the current increase in violence and calls on the Guatemalan Government to abolish impunity, improve civil society and guarantee human rights. MEPs also stress the need to promote a national debate on a reform of the system of tenancy and land use and urge the Congress of the Republic to adopt, as soon as possible, the law on land registration and information. MEPs furthermore express their concern at the insecurity of the indigenous peoples, including the Mayan, Garifuna and Xinea peoples, and their eviction from the land where they work. Finally, the House recognises the international community's contribution to the peace process in Guatemala, in particular the work of verifying the Peace Accords carried out by the UN Mission for Guatemala (MINUGUA).

Press enquiries:
Richard Freedman
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Vote

Following the arrest of 70 human rights activists, opposition leaders and independent journalists in Cuba, MEPs voted 94 to 7 with 5 abstentions in favour of a resolution which calls for their immediate release. Parliament sees the move as having grave implications for EU relations with Cuba, but takes the view that a positive response to the resolution would be seen as a clear sign by the Cuban authorities of a willingness to enter into political dialogue with the EU and develop closer relations through accession to the Cotonou agreement. In addition, the resolution calls on the Cuban authorities to respect human rights and political freedom.

During the debate, Commissioner Frits BOLKESTEIN said the Commission had already issued a declaration calling for the release of the prisoners and that the situation could be taken up in a political dialogue, if Cuba acceded to the Cotonou agreement. He acknowledged concerns expressed by several MEPs, who did not think Cuba should be allowed to join Cotonou as long as it continued to carry out such human rights violations.

Press enquiries:
Roy Worsley
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(Brussels)  tel.(32-2) 28 42941
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Joint motion for a resolution on human rights violations in Egypt
Doc. : B5-0212/2003, B5-0215/2003, B5-0216/2003, B5-0219/2003, B5-0224/2003

Vote

Following the arrest in Egypt of numerous people on charges of debauchery, and indeed the sentences of 21 gay men to three years forced labour, Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Egyptian authorities to stop persecuting gays and to prohibit discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

There is welcome for the release of human rights activist Saad Eddin Ibrahim. The resolution urges the Egyptian authorities to guarantee the right to peaceful expression. The resolution also raises the concern of another minority, the Coptic Christians and emphasises the fact that the Association Agreement with Egypt includes a human rights clause. MEPs want these human rights questions on the agenda of the next meeting between MEPs and Egyptian parliamentarian.

Press enquiries:
Roy Worsley
(Strasbourg) tel.(33) 3 881 74751
(Brussels)  tel.(32-2) 28 42941
e-mail :   rworsley@europarl.eu.int