Fittex

This EPRS publication, ‘Key Issues in the European Council’, which will be updated quarterly to coincide with European Council meetings, aims to provide an overview of the institution’s activities on major EU issues. It analyses nine policy areas, explaining the legal and political background and the main priorities and orientations defined by the European Council. It also assesses the results of European Council involvement to date and identifies future challenges in the various policy fields.

There is growing interest in the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the agri-food sector, to extract or exploit the information in datasets resulting from the monitoring of products and processes. Artificial intelligence algorithms, and the models derived from them, are used as support systems for better decision making or, in some cases, are implemented in automatic control processes and robotics, to alleviate drudgery. In this study, sensing and data collection in different agri-food ...

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the most common types of marine pollutants in the Mediterranean Sea and focuses on the accelerating accumulation of marine litter and plastics in the Mediterranean Sea. It presents the actions taken by EU Mediterranean regions and cities to respond to diverse pollutants, waste contamination, marine litter and plastic pollution in the marine environment. Based on this assessment, policy recommendations are put forward.

In March 2023, the European Central Bank (ECB) launched its quantitative tightening (QT) policy, to unwind its portfolio of assets that resulted from its quantitative easing (QE) policy of the last decade. This paper discusses the main arguments in favour of QT in the euro area and their validity, the possible risks associated with this policy, and how the ECB should implement QT to minimise these risks. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request ...

Confronted with a historic inflation surge, the ECB steps on the brake(s). While interest rate hikes are its primary tool, unconventional tools are also adjusted to strengthen the brake intensity. Quantitative tightening will reduce the stock of bonds in a slow process. The change from a scarce to an abundant reserve system will prevail. In contrast to previous monetary tightening cycles, in an abundant reserve system huge interest expenses result in central bank losses and fiscal costs for the coming ...

The development of territorial cooperation between European and Ukrainian local and regional authorities is an important step toward Ukraine’s membership in the EU. This study presents the benefits of and barriers to the collaboration between European and Ukrainian cities and regions and shows the role of the EU programmes and instruments in supporting territorial cooperation. It suggests solutions that can promote cooperation between cities and regions and describes their potential to strengthen ...

This study, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the LIBE Committee, aims to provide background information and policy recommendations concerning prisons and detention conditions in the EU, on the basis of European and national regulations, legislation, policies and practices.

This joint workshop gave members of the BUDG and CONT Committees an overview of global efforts to finance the fight against climate change and of the EU’s role in this context. Key findings were:  The EU’s contribution, both regulatory and financial, is consid-erable and exceeds its ‘fair share’;  However, a significant gap remains between actual commit-ments globally and the agreed funding level of USD 100 bil-lion per year;  Even more funding will have to be mobilised, including from private ...

European countries have been experiencing medicine shortages due to disruptions in the supply chain. Reshoring the productions of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is considered as an approach to secure the supply. This study informs about the state-of-play of API production in the European Union, including reshoring initiatives. Studying potential benefits and challenges of local API production and the processes of reshoring, the document explores measures to facilitate the production of ...

This study considers the consequences of measures aimed at countering the effects of COVID-19, in particular the Temporary Framework for State aid, EU Digital COVID Certificates and other measures implemented by EU Member States. The study examines the consequences of the measures on industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and focuses on the cultural and creative industries. Consequences for workers and working practices were also considered, and lessons learnt identified. This document ...