Highlights

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety sends a delegation of three Members to Panama from 23 to 25 November to participate to the 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties on Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CoP19 CITES). Every two to three years, the Conference of the Parties meets to review the implementation of the Convention.

One in three women will experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime, says Robert Biedroń, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. To combat and prevent gender-based violence, FEMM has commissioned a study “The legislative frameworks for victims of gender-based violence (including children) in the 27 Member States”. The study assesses how the proposed directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence addresses current gaps in legislation.

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy at its meeting of 28-29 November will be briefed by Commissioner Simson on the latest developments related to the energy crisis in the Union. The Members also will hold the yearly exchange of views with the Director for the Agency for Cooperation of Energy Regulators, Christian Zinglersen on their Market Monitoring Report.

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will hold the fourth Monetary Dialogue of the year with the ECB President on 28 November This Monetary Dialogue takes place in a particularly challenging environment, marked by uncertainty and strong inflationary pressures, with HICP inflation reaching record high 10.6% in October. The ECB has continued on its monetary policy tightening path (key interest rates have been increased further by 75 basis points).

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will hold a public hearing on reducing impacts of fertilisers on 28-29 November. The Committee will also discuss sustainable use of pesticides, the situation of the European garlic sector, EU food security preparedness, the latest CAP reform, food security and long-term resilience of EU agriculture, the Commission communication on outermost regions, and the school's scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products.

The Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to gather expertise and hear the testimonies on the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on 28 and 29 November. The Committee will focus on the gender perspective and how the restrictions affected women, the impact of pandemic on vulnerable people, and on the EU support mechanisms currently in place and which can be triggered to help the EU economy in the event of another pandemic.