European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

European Parliament Releases Draft Report on the Proposal for the Regulation of Plants Obtained from New Genomic Techniques

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Monday, November 6, 2023
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NGTs include a variety of gene editing techniques leading to genetic changes classed as targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis.

Key Points: 
  • NGTs include a variety of gene editing techniques leading to genetic changes classed as targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis.
  • The proposal describes a category of NGTs producing modifications that could be obtained in nature or by conventional breeding.
  • The draft report recognizes the Commission proposal as a solid starting point and recommends further improvements to ensure the best possible usage of the techniques in the EU.
  • Source: Draft Report from European Parliament ENVI Committee Rapporteur can be found here via the following link:

Press release - Hearing of Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič

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Wednesday, October 4, 2023
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The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety questioned Maroš Šefčovič (Slovakia), after he was assigned the role of Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal.

Key Points: 
  • The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety questioned Maroš Šefčovič (Slovakia), after he was assigned the role of Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal.
  • On improving engagement with citizens, Mr Šefčovič committed to organising green social dialogues and strengthening cooperation with industry, agriculture and forestry stakeholders.
  • Questions by MEPs
    MEPs asked Mr. Šefčovič how he would coordinate EU climate action and requested a commitment for the proposal by the Commission of a science-based EU climate target for 2040.
  • Mr Šefčovič, is currently in charge of the Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight portfolio in the college of Commissioners.

Press release - Hearing of Commissioner-designate Wopke Hoekstra

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Tuesday, October 3, 2023
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The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety questioned Wopke Hoekstra from the Netherlands, Commissioner-designate for Climate Action.

Key Points: 
  • The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety questioned Wopke Hoekstra from the Netherlands, Commissioner-designate for Climate Action.
  • Mr Hoekstra emphasised that the EU “cannot reach climate neutrality alone”.
  • Finally, Mr Hoekstra stressed the importance of phasing out fossil fuels, as well as fossil fuels subsidies.
  • The committees on Industry, Research and Energy, on Foreign Affairs and on Development participated in his hearing.

Press release - Media Advisory: Hearing of Commission Executive Vice-President Šefčovič on 3 October

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Monday, October 2, 2023
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Media Advisory: Hearing of Commission Executive Vice-President Šefčovič on 3 October

Key Points: 
  • Media Advisory: Hearing of Commission Executive Vice-President Šefčovič on 3 October
    This advisory provides practical information on the hearing of Maroš Šefčovič (Slovakia) taking place on 3 October from 8.30 to 11.30.
  • The committees on Industry, Research and Energy, on Transport and Tourism and on Agriculture and Rural Development will participate in his hearing.
  • The hearing will take place from 8.30 to 11.30 in the European Parliament in Strasbourg in meeting room WEISS S1.4.
  • A press point by the committee chair Mr. Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR) is scheduled to take place after the hearing, next to the meeting room (tbc).

Press release - Media Advisory: Hearing of Commissioner-designate Wopke Hoekstra on 2 October

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Friday, September 29, 2023
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This advisory provides practical information on the hearing of Wopke Hoekstra (Netherlands) taking place on 2 October from 18.30 to 21.30.

Key Points: 
  • This advisory provides practical information on the hearing of Wopke Hoekstra (Netherlands) taking place on 2 October from 18.30 to 21.30.
  • The committees on Industry, Research and Energy, on Foreign Affairs and on Development will participate in his hearing.
  • The hearing will take place from 18.30 to 21.30 in the European Parliament in Strasbourg in meeting room WEISS 1.4.
  • A press point by the committee chair Mr. Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR) is scheduled to take place after the hearing, next to the meeting room (tbc).

Registration Now Open for "Preparing a PFAS Game Plan in the U.S., the UK, and the EU" Webinar

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Thursday, June 29, 2023
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WASHINGTON, June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Registration is open now for "Preparing a PFAS Game Plan in the U.S., the UK, and the EU."

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Registration is open now for "Preparing a PFAS Game Plan in the U.S., the UK, and the EU."
  • Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are attracting global legal, regulatory, commercial, and litigation attention as no other "emerging contaminant" has.
  • In the United States and globally, the number of bans, restrictions, and reporting requirements for PFAS increases seemingly daily.
  • The Acta Group (Acta®) and EPPA are pleased to offer this one-hour complimentary webinar providing companies with the information needed to develop a PFAS game plan.

Press release - Reducing pollution in EU groundwater and surface waters

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023
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- A watch list containing substances of emerging concern to better monitor pollution

Key Points: 
  • - A watch list containing substances of emerging concern to better monitor pollution
    - Threshold values should be ten-times lower for groundwater than for surface water
    - Producers selling products that contain polluting chemical substances should help finance monitoring
    Environment Committee MEPs adopted their position on protecting groundwater and surface waters from pollution and improving water quality standards.
  • The new law, on which MEPs adopted their position with 69 votes in favour, four against and 15 abstentions, revises the Water Framework Directive, the Groundwater Directive and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive (Surface Water Directive).
  • The aim of the revisions is better protecting human health and natural ecosystems from pollutants.
  • Prevent groundwater pollution
    To better protect the EU’s ground water MEPs demand the threshold values applicable to groundwater be ten times lower than those for surface water.

Press release - Air pollution: Environment Committee MEPs push for tougher rules

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023
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MEPs also say that upcoming reviews of this directive shall ensure full and continuous alignment with the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines.

Key Points: 
  • MEPs also say that upcoming reviews of this directive shall ensure full and continuous alignment with the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines.
  • More air quality sampling points
    The Environment Committee underlines the need to increase the number of air quality sampling points.
  • Quote
    After the vote, rapporteur Javi López (S&D, ES) said: “Addressing air pollution in Europe demands immediate action.
  • We must follow science and align our air quality standards with WHO guidelines and re-inforce some of the provisions in this directive.

Press release - Nature restoration: press conference Tuesday 13.00 with rapporteur César Luena

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Monday, June 26, 2023
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The Environment Committee will continue to vote on the draft report on nature restoration on Tuesday 27 June at 10.30.

Key Points: 
  • The Environment Committee will continue to vote on the draft report on nature restoration on Tuesday 27 June at 10.30.
  • Following the vote by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Parliament’s rapporteur César Luena (SD, ES) will hold a press conference on the EU nature restoration law.
  • When: Tuesday, 27 June 2023, 13.00-13.30 CET
    Where: European Parliament, Brussels, ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA Room, SPAAK 0A50
    Interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish.
  • Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test.

David Girón Launches Campaign For California Assembly District 52

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Tuesday, June 20, 2023
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LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- David Girón , a first-generation Salvadoran American, dedicated public servant and environmental advocate, announced his candidacy for California State Assembly District 52 today.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- David Girón , a first-generation Salvadoran American, dedicated public servant and environmental advocate, announced his candidacy for California State Assembly District 52 today.
  • David Girón grew up in Los Angeles and was raised by a dedicated, tough single mother.
  • “Our campaign is about taking care of people locally, with an eye towards developing statewide policy to lift up working people and protect our environment,” said Girón.
  • David is a lifelong Angeleno, having received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Constitutional Law from California State University, Northridge (CSUN).