On Saturday and Sunday, 22-23 April, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, will attend the meeting of the G7 Labour and Employment Ministers in Kurashiki, Japan. Ministers will discuss resilient and inclusive labour markets, including for older persons, persons with disabilities, women and youth, as well as fundamental labour rights and decent work in global supply chains. A strong focus will also be on the need to equip people with the right skills for the digital and green transitions, which is also at the heart of the European Year of Skills. In this context, Commissioner Schmit will have bilateral meetings with Japan’s Minister for Health, Labour, and Welfare, Katsunobu Kato; Canada’s Minister for Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough; and the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert Houngbo. On Monday and Tuesday, 24-25 April, in Tokyo, the Commissioner will have a series of site visits and meetings related to upskilling and reskilling, ageing, as well as care services, visiting the SOMPO Future Care Lab; the Ohara Memorial Institute of Science and Labour; and the Japan Organization for Employment of Elderly, Persons with Disabilities. He will also meet with representatives from the social partners RENGO and Keidanren. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: + 32 2 299 63 02; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: + 32 2 298 39 51) ‘Transform to thrive’: Kick-off of the 4th EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week #EUMRSWeek On Monday, 24 April, the 4th edition of the EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week (#EUMRSWeek) will start under the motto ‘Transform to thrive’. The event will be hybrid, with the first two days of online thematic sessions followed by physical high-level group meetings. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, who will open the physical meetings on 26 April, commented: ‘I am happy to open the 4th edition of the Macro-Regional Strategies Week. This year we will dedicate the week to the actions that we can put in place to thrive a cohesive and forward looking green and digital transformation, as our motto says. The best results and the most effective policy responses can only be achieved by putting together our skills and expertise at every level and across borders. This is the strength of Macro-Regional Strategies.’ High-level representatives and stakeholders of the four Macro-Regional Strategies (Adriatic-Ionian ‘EUSAIR’, Alpine ‘EUSALP’, Baltic ‘EUSBSR’, and Danube ‘EUSDR’) and EU officials will focus the debate on skills in the framework of the European Year of Skills and on how to enhance the coordination among participating countries in the energy security sector. More details are available in the 5-day programme. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 2 298 72 69) Ukraine joins the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Today, Ukraine becomes a Participating State of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism – the European solidarity framework that helps countries overwhelmed by a disaster. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, is today in Kyiv to officially sign an agreement on behalf of the European Union granting Ukraine full membership of the Mechanism. During his visit, he will participate in the International Summit of Cities and Regions in Kyiv with President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy; Deputy Prime Minister, Olha Stefanishyna; Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko; and Head of Emergency Service, Serhiy Kruk. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has channelled emergency assistance to Ukraine from across Europe since the onset of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. In its largest and longest running operation, more than 88,000 tonnes of life-saving equipment, food, and medicines, have been sent to Ukraine via the Mechanism. Most recently, more than 1,000 power generators fully financed by the EU were mobilised to Ukraine from the strategic rescEU energy reserves. Now, by being a full member, Ukraine will also be able to dispatch aid via the Mechanism at a time another country finds itself in a crisis. Today the EU is also allocating a further pound 55 million[1] in humanitarian funding to Ukraine on top of the pound 145 million already provided earlier this year. This new humanitarian funding will focus on preparing for next winter. Background When an emergency overwhelms the response capabilities of a country in Europe and beyond, it can request assistance through the Mechanism. The European Commission plays a key role in coordinating the disaster response worldwide. Since its inception in 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated for more than 600 emergencies and crises inside and outside the EU. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism aims to strengthen cooperation between the 27 EU countries and now 9 Participating States (Iceland, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Trkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and most recently Ukraine) on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters. A joint approach further helps pool expertise and capacities of first responders, avoids duplication of relief efforts, and ensures that assistance meets the needs of those affected. Pooling together civil protection capacities and capabilities allows for a stronger and more coherent collective response. The Mechanism also helps coordinate disaster preparedness and prevention activities of national authorities and contributes to the exchange of best practices. This facilitates the continuous development of higher common standards enabling teams to understand different approaches better and work interchangeably when a disaster strikes. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has allocated in total of pound 685 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including today’s pound 55 million top-up that has been requested by the European Commission and currently under adoption by the EU’s Budgetary Authority. EU-funded humanitarian assistance is provided in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. It is delivered through the UN humanitarian agencies, non-governmental organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. For more information: EU civil protection and humanitarian aid in Ukraine EU Civil Protection Mechanism Emergency Response Coordination Centre [1] The allocation is part of the overall pledges of the European Commission and is still subject to the approval by the Budgetary Authority. Quote(s) From the outset of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been operating in full force to send life-saving aid to the country. As a full member of the Mechanism, Ukraine will now also be able to provide the same solidarity to other countries and people affected by crises. The Ukrainian civil protection authorities have already demonstrated their unwavering resilience as they fight against time to help restore what Russia has destroyed, while also to showing solidarity with Trkiye following the devastating earthquakes in February. With this further step closer to EU integration, the EU continues to stand with Ukraine – by supporting its people in the middle of this war waged by Russia, whilst working together towards a stronger disaster management system in Europe. In the meantime, we continue to protect and save lives and are already preparing for next winter. We are topping up EU humanitarian aid to Ukraine with a further pound 55 million to make sure we are ready for the additional challenges brought on by the tough and cold winter months. Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management – 20/04/2023 Print friendly pdf Ukraine joins the EU Civil Protection Mechanism English (44.962 kB – PDF) Download (44.962 kB – PDF) Contacts for media •Balazs UJVARI Phone +32 2 295 45 78 Mail balazs.ujvari@ec.europa.eu •Daniel PUGLISI Phone +32 2 296 91 40 Mail daniel.puglisi@ec.europa.eu Commission updates marketing standards of agri-food products to better address consumer needs and sustainability Today, the Commission proposed to revise the existing marketing standards applicable to a number of agri-food products, such as fruit and vegetables, fruit juices and jams, honey, poultry or eggs. The proposed revisions should help consumers make more informed choices for a healthier diet and contribute to prevent food waste. The Commission put forward the following proposals, among others: Origin labelling: Clearer, mandatory origin labelling rules for honey, nuts and dried fruits, ripened bananas, as well as trimmed, processed and cut fruit and vegetables (such as packaged salad leaves). The country, or countries of origin in case of blends or mixes, will have to appear on the label. Listing the countries of origin will increase the transparency for consumers. This should also promote EU production of these products. Food waste: The proposed revisions address food waste and packaging waste. For example, so-called ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables (with external defects but still suitable for local/direct consumption) sold locally and directly by producers to consumers would be exempted from complying with marketing standards. Valorising them in their ‘fresh’ state could offer consumers more opportunities to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at more affordable prices and benefit producers active in short supply chains. Certain products affected by natural disasters or other exceptional circumstances may also be sold if safe to consume. Packaging: Products intended for donation may be exempted from main labelling requirements. This will reduce red tape and labels and, therefore, facilitate operators’ engagements in donations. Fruit juices: it will be possible for fruit juices to bear the mention ‘with no added sugars’ to clarify that, contrary to fruit nectars, fruit juices cannot by definition contain added sugars – a feature that most of the consumers are not aware of. Moreover, to address the growing consumer demand for products with lower sugar content, a reformulated fruit juice would be allowed to indicate ‘reduced-sugar fruit juice’ on its label. To simplify further and adapt to consumer tastes, the term ‘coconut water’ could now be used alongside ‘coconut juice’. Jams and marmalades: the fruit content of jams will be increased from 350 grammes to 450 grammes minimum (to 550 grammes for quality extra) per kilo of finished product. With the increase in fruit content across the board, consumers would be offered a product with less free sugars and more fruits than they currently get. The term ‘marmalade’, authorised until now only for citrus jams, would now be allowed for all jams to introduce the possibility to adjust the name of the product to the most used locally. Eggs: Solar panels may now be used in outdoor areas used in free-range production systems for eggs. This will stimulate greater supply of energy from renewable sources. The marking of eggs would also be done directly at the farm which will improve traceability. Next steps The proposals for fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs and poultry are covered by delegated and implementing acts. The texts will be available for public feedback for one month. Afterwards, the delegated acts will be adopted and sent to the European Parliament and the Council for a scrutiny period of two months. The Commission will publish them at the end of this procedure. Proposals covering jams, marmalades, fruit juices and honey are included in directives, and these will follow the ordinary co-legislative process by the European Parliament and Council before their publication and entry into force. In parallel, the Commission is sending a report to the European Parliament and the Council in view to adopt in a near future new marketing standards for cider and perry, and for the origin labelling of pulses. These products are currently not covered by any marketing standards in the Common Market Organisation Regulation. Background EU marketing standards are designed to ensure that the quality of the product stays high, that consumers are protected and that standards are consistent within the EU market. They also facilitate trade with third countries as they are consistent with existing standards at international level since the 1950s. Over the last decade, agricultural markets have evolved significantly, driven by innovation but also changing societal concerns and consumers’ demand. Today’s proposals will ensure that, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, marketing standards can contribute to the promotion and uptake of sustainable products, while addressing new needs of consumers and operators. To be placed on the EU markets and sold to consumers, most agri-food products must comply with EU marketing standards or standards established at international level. Marketing standards concern the external qualities of products and the non-visible qualities that result from particular production processes, like fruit content in jams. They apply equally to both EU products and imported products. For More Information Impact assessment report on the revision of EU marketing standards for agricultural products to ensure the uptake and supply of sustainable products Proposal of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending the so-called ‘Breakfast Directives’ as regards honey, fruit juices, fruit jams and evaporated milk Report from the European Commission to the European Parliament and to the Council on future marketing standards for cider and perry and for pulses Have Your Say platform: proposals for eggs and poultry Have Your Say platform: proposals for fruit and vegetables Marketing standards for fruit and vegetables Marketing standards for eggs Marketing standards for poultry Quote(s) Marketing standards are the common language between consumers and operators to know what they are trading, and to ensure loyal competition for all in the EU. Just as any language evolves over time, so do the needs and habits of all actors in the food supply chain. We want to improve the transparency of the products sold to consumers and reduce food waste, while valuing even more sustainable and healthier production methods for producers.
Source: Cyprus News Agency