EP News No. 31/2013

Agricultural policy reform
Following last Tuesday's political agreement on the overhaul of EU agricultural policy, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will take its first reading vote, which will then have to be confirmed in plenary at the second October session or the November session. (Monday)

NSA surveillance
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will hold the fourth and fifth in a series of hearings on issues to do with US surveillance in the EU. In the first session, MEPs will hear from whistleblowers formerly working in NSA and MI5 and debate legal protection of whistleblowers. The second hearing will focus on alleged hacking by the UK's intelligence services of Belgian telecoms firm Belgacom. Representatives of the British authorities and the Belgian data protection supervisor will take part in the discussion. (Monday and Thursday)


Sakharov Prize
MEPs will choose a shortlist of three finalists for Parliament's 2013 award for freedom of thought, in a joint vote by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Development and Sub-Committee on Human Rights. The European Parliament awards the prize every year to honour defenders of human rights and freedom of expression. (Monday)
 

Budget 2014
The Committee on Budgets will vote its position on the draft budget for 2014. It is set to push for a budget that matches promises made on growth and jobs for young people, research and SMEs and is sufficient to fund humanitarian aid. It will also seek to ensure that unpaid bills from 2013 are not rolled over to the 2014 budget. (Wednesday and Thursday)

Plenary preparation
Political groups will prepare for the 7-10 October plenary session in Strasbourg, which will feature legislative votes on tobacco, shale gas, professional qualifications recognition and the European Border Surveillance System and also debates on refugee flows from Syria and migration policies in the Mediterranean Sea.

President Schulz
From Monday to Wednesday, EP President Martin Schulz will be in Tallinn, Estonia, to meet with Estonian President Toomas-Hendrik Ilves, Parliament President Ene Ergma (both meetings with a press point) and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip.

Council Presidency
1 July-31 December 2013: Lithuania
1 January-30 June 2014: Greece

European Parliament plenary sessions 2013
7-10 October - Strasbourg
21-24 October - Strasbourg
18-21 November - Strasbourg
9-12 December - Strasbourg