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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 04-04-05
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] Europeans' trust in food highest for fruits and vegetables, lowest for
"junk food"
[02] Enregistrement de deux dénominations de produits agricoles
[03] Commission requests Greece to do more for the protection of wild birds
[04] Pollution de l'air : la Commission engage une action en justice contre
10 Etats membres
[05] Commission supports conflict prevention and dialogue in Bolivia
[06] European Union Election Observation Mission deployed to Malawi
[07] February 2004 compared to February 2003 : volume of retail trade up by
0.5% in euro-zone ; EU15 up by 2.0%
Midday Express 05/04/2004
TXT: FR ENPDF:DOC:Midday Express 05/04/2004
[01] Europeans' trust in food highest for fruits and vegetables, lowest for
"junk food"
Consumer trust in food is high in Great Britain, Denmark and Norway, but
low in Italy and Portugal and relatively low in Germany. Research also
shows that consumers in these countries are most sceptical about meat
products, fast-food outlets and food processors. These findings are
revealed in the recently published study "Trust in Food in Europe, A
Comparative Analysis". The research presents data from surveys completed in
the above mentioned six countries. The study was conducted as part of the
EU TRUST IN FOOD project (2002-2004). The project aimed to provide a better
understanding of the reasons behind, and the implications of, varying
levels of consumer trust in the field of food. In addition to surveys,
institutional studies were carried out in the six countries and at EU
level. The initiative is part of general EU research on consumer perception
and behaviour, socio-economic and demographic factors, as well as the
acceptability of typical food products.
[02] Enregistrement de deux dénominations de produits agricoles
La Commission européenne a ajouté deux dénominations de produits agricoles
et alimentaires à la liste des appellations d'origine protégées (AOP) et
indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Il s'agit des produits "Agneau
de Pauillac" (Viande - France - IGP) et de "Agneau du Poitou-Charentes"
(Viande - France - IGP). Les deux dénominations s'ajoutent à la liste
d'environ 600 produits déjà protégés en vertu de la législation sur la
protection des indications géographiques, des appellations d'origine et des
spécialités traditionnelles. Des renseignements sur les produits de qualité
ainsi que la liste des dénominations protégées sont disponibles sur
l'internet à l'adresse : http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/foodqual/quali1_fr.htm
[03] Commission requests Greece to do more for the protection of wild birds
The European Commission has decided to refer Greece to the European Court
of Justice for failing to designate enough natural sites for the
conservation and protection of wild birds. The EU's Wild Birds Directive
requires Member States to designate special protection areas (SPAs) for
this purpose. Available scientific information indicates that in Greece 186
sites, representing a total surface area of over 3 million hectares, should
be given SPA status. However, the Greek authorities have designated sites
which cover less than 1½ million hectares. The Greek authorities are
gradually improving the country's SPA coverage, but the designation deficit
is still considerable. SPAs benefit from a number of safeguards giving
increased protection to the birds who live and pass through them. The
failure to accord SPA status to important wetlands and other sites hosting
rare or endangered wild bird species undermines conservation efforts.
[04] Pollution de l'air : la Commission engage une action en justice contre
10 Etats membres
La Commission européenne a envoyé un deuxième avertissement écrit à la
France, à la Belgique, aux Pays-Bas, à l'Allemagne, à l'Autriche, à
l'Italie, au Portugal et à la Suède pour non respect d'un texte législatif
communautaire visant à promouvoir l'utilisation des essences et carburants
diesel à faible teneur en soufre. Ce texte a pour but d'abaisser la teneur
en soufre des carburants à 10 mg/kg. Il contribue ainsi à réduire les
émissions des véhicules à moteur, qui ont un effet nocif sur la santé
humaine et sur l'environnement. Les législations nationales devraient être
en vigueur depuis le 30 juin 2003. Aucun des Etats membres mentionnés n'a
respecté cette date limite. La Commission a également envoyé un premier
avertissement écrit au Royaume-Uni, au Luxembourg et à la Belgique pour
infraction à la législation communautaire ayant pour objet de protéger la
couche d'ozone, qui arrête les rayonnements solaires nocifs pour l'homme.
Des rapports présentés par le Royaume-Uni, le Luxembourg et la Belgique
montrent que ces trois Etats membres ne respectent pas certaines
dispositions précises visant à limiter l'utilisation et les émissions de
substances chimiques qui appauvrissent la couche d'ozone.
[05] Commission supports conflict prevention and dialogue in Bolivia
The European Commission is supporting, through its Rapid Reaction Mechanism,
urgent conflict prevention measures in Bolivia. The measures, constituting
the initial actions of the NEDD (NEgociación, Deliberación y Dialogo), are
designed to tackle the underlying causes of social and political conflict
in Bolivia. The programme covers a range of actions with civil society
organisations and Government institutions in support of creating a social
and economic dialogue leading to a more participatory political and social
system. This decision of the Commission, worth €1 million, will allow
actions to start on the ground within the very near future. Implementation
in Bolivia will be undertaken through the NEDD initiative, coordinated
initially by the United Kingdom (through DFID).
[06] European Union Election Observation Mission deployed to Malawi
The European Union is deploying an EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM)
for the coming Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Malawi,
scheduled to take place on 18 May 2004. The deployment of an EU EOM follows
an invitation from the Malawian Electoral Commission and is a practical
expression of the EU's on-going support for the process of democratisation
in Malawi. The upcoming elections represent a significant moment in
Malawi's democratic development, where a broad and pluralistic electoral
competition is expected to take place, against the backdrop of
controversies over the consolidation of democratic institutions.
[07] February 2004 compared to February 2003 : volume of retail trade up by
0.5% in euro-zone ; EU15 up by 2.0%
In February 2004, compared to February 2003, the volume of retail trade
increased by 0.5% in the euro-zone and by 2.0% in the EU15, according to
the first estimates out today from Eurostat. Compared to January 2004, the
sales index fell by 0.8% in the euro-zone and by 0.3% in the EU15.
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
© ECSC - EC - EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg, 1995, 1996
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