Since 1 January 2018, the European Flavour Association (EFFA) has a new full ordinary member, McCormick & Company. This brings EFFA membership to 22 companies and National Associations.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) : Reshaping the Global Value Chain

30 January 2018, 14.00pm-18.00h - followed by a cocktail reception - Residence Palace, Brussels

ACCA (the association of Chartered Certified Accountants), the EU-Asia Centre, the European Movement International (EMI) and UEAPME are delighted to invite you to their multistakeholder conference on The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) : Reshaping the Global Value Chain, to discuss the implications of China’s grand scheme to link Asia and Europe together via new massive infrastructure projects in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans.

Launched in 2013 as “One Belt, One Road”, the BRI is hugely ambitious and already has the support of the EU, the World Bank, the EBRD and many other financial and economic institutions.

But what is the experience to date? How to secure financing for projects? What are the economic and policy implications of the BRI? This conference will discuss the state of play with leading policy makers and business operators from Europe and China. It will also provide an insight into the opportunities and challenges of the BRI for European business.

Please RSVP to cecile.bonino@accaglobal.com before 15 January 

Draft Agenda

13.45pm Registration and coffee

14.00pm Welcome remarks, Maggie Mc Ghee, Director of Professional Insights, ACCA

14.05pm Opening remarks, Zhang Ming, Chinese Ambassador to the EU, invited

14.15pm Opening remarks, Xavier Coget, Cabinet of Vice President of the European Commission Jyrki Katainen

14.25pmPanel debate on economic and policy implications of the BRI, moderated by Fraser Cameron, Director EU-Asia Centre

• Luc Devigne, Director of EAST — Russia, eastern partnership, Central Asia, Regional cooperation and OSCE at the EEAS
• Anna Saarela, European Parliament, DG EXPO, Policy Department
• Natasha Khanjenkova , Managing Director Central Asia & Russia EBRD
• Venerable Ji-jing, Director, People to People Exchanges
• Liina Carr, Confederal Secretary, ETUC

15.40pm Q&As

16.00pm Coffee break

16.20pmPanel on Business experiences, moderated by Ada Leung, Head of ACCA China

• Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, EU-China Business  
• Dilek Aydin, EU representative of Turkonfed at  UEAPME
• Maurice Fermont, Adviser, BusinessEurope
• He Liquin, General Manager, Bank of China Belgium
• Alain Baron, EU-China Connectivity platform,  DG MOVE

17.30pm Q&A

17.50pm Concluding remarks, Jo Leinen, MEP, Head of the EP EU-China Delegation

18.00pm Cocktail reception

ACCA is defining and shaping the future of the profession: Professional accountants – the future

Jean-Louis Peyraud, INRA / Animal Task Force, Dec. 2017

Currently debates about the future of livestock farming are framed only in terms of its negative impacts without considering the positive aspects. Worldwide, there are discussions on GHG emissions, use of resources and areas, industrialisation of systems and deforestation. In European countries, people are worried about animal welfare and ethics, and in the most extreme cases, some groups even refuse both the slaughter and exploitation of animals. According to these activist groups, livestock farming should be abolished for a better world and a more environmentally friendly agriculture. So let’s have a look at what our planet would be like without livestock farming. We do not judge the individual choice of eating or not animal products, but it is our responsibility to inform the public debate and highlight the consequences of simplistic reasoning and dogmas that are not supported by knowledge.

A nonsense from the world food security point of view:

We will have to feed more than 9 billion human beings in 2050. 40% of unfrozen emerged lands are in fact covered by forests and a further one third is covered by natural grassland (Mongol steppes, tundra, African savanna, permanent grassland in mountain areas and dry zones…) which cannot be used to cultivate arable crops, which leaves only one third as arable land able to produce grains, fruits and legumes. Therefore, in a world without livestock farming, we would not use the one third of unfrozen emerged area that is available for the production of meat and milk with herbivores. According to FAO, these territories produce today about 25% of the meat consumed worldwide.

This also raises the question of the future of those billions peoples who are living in these vast regions. In Europe, permanent grasslands cover 75 billion ha (i.e. 40% of the agricultural area) and these grasslands contribute to the production of meat and dairy products, some of them being part of our cultural identity and gastronomy (IGP and AOP labels).

A nonsense from a humanitarian point of view

According to FAO, 800 million of poor people worldwide can survive nowadays only thanks to livestock farming. What would they become without livestock farming? Would they migrate to countries where they could produce cereals creating a huge humanitarian crisis? In many developing countries, livestock farming largely contributes to women empowerment (25% of dairy farms are managed by women, FAO). More modestly, the European livestock sector employs directly (agriculture) and indirectly (processing industry) around 5 million people. What would these jobs become? and those that are related to them? These jobs are most often located in rural areas where livestock farming is one of the main contributors for the vitality of European territories.

A nonsense from an ecological and environmental point of view

Livestock farming contributes to the regulation of ecological cycles and notably to soil fertility everywhere on the planet. For small family farming and poor farmers, animals provide fertilizers that farmers cannot buy (fertilizing 40% of arable land worldwide, FAO). Animals are also a traction force where the use of a motorized tractor is unconceivable. In Europe, livestock manures are a bio-resource of Nitrogen and Phosphorus that is almost as important in volume as synthetic fertilizers. Their use should be promoted as they replace the use of chemical fertilizers.

With the input of organic matter via manure and grassland, livestock farming contributes to the storage of carbon in soils and thus to greenhouse gas mitigation.

The replacement of animal products by plant products in our diet does not always have only positive impacts on the environment. The end of livestock farming would inevitably lead to the disappearance of grasslands that would no longer have a utility. Furthermore, ploughing grasslands in order to produce annual crops will inevitably release significant amounts of GHGs. In mountain areas, the development of fallow land replacing managed grasslands would provoke a huge loss of biodiversity (European permanent grasslands contain 50% of European endemic plant species).

Soil erosion and desertification is a major threat to the productive capacity of agriculture. The end of livestock farming would also lead to an increase of erosion and desertification especially in arid areas. By their texture and grass coverage, grazed soils contribute to limit erosion, to water filtering and to limit water runoff and favour groundwater recharge.

A nonsense from an agronomical point of view

Livestock farming contributes to a more efficient agriculture. Animals recycle biomasses such as by-products from plant food chains (e.g. wheat bran, beet-pulps, glutenfeed, cakes…) and crop residues that cannot be used as human food. They also use marginal land not able to produce plant products for humans. They transform these biomasses into higher value proteins that contribute to the maximization of human food production per unit area. Consequently we would need much more land area to feed a population without animal-derived foods in a nutritionally balanced way as was demonstrated in a recent peer reviewed study from the US which showed the total US agricultural land would be insufficient to feed the current US population without livestock farming.

An agriculture without livestock farming would be much more chemical consuming: increased use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, whose production consumes a lot of fossil energy and increase use of pesticides as the proportion of annual crop will increase at the expense of grassland which does not need pesticides.

A nonsense from an nutritional point of view

We are omnivores and we should avoid restriction of any kind of food. This is a precautionary principle because we do not know yet what molecules are helpful to regulate aging. Many studies have shown the risk of micronutrient and vitamin deficiencies is greatly increased in low meat eaters, animal products are essential in the first 1,000 days of life and for the skeleton and brain development of pre-adolescents.

In conclusion

A world without livestock farming is just a short, medium and long-term utopia. It is time for us to come back to more realistic positions based on facts. Removing livestock farming would be an absolute nonsense for humanity. But it does not mean that we do not need to improve our way of rearing animals, to respect them, to offer them a decent life and make sure that their slaughter is done without pain nor stress. We have to continue research and innovate in order to reduce the negative impacts of livestock farming and increase the services it provides to our societies. Research must provide knowledge and innovation in order to reduce impacts, improve livestock farming conditions and communicate on the services rendered by livestock farming in order to inform the public debate objectively. Above all, we should claim and defend that there cannot be a sustainable agriculture and food production without livestock farming.

Animal Task Force website: www.animaltaskforce.eu/

Email : mail@animaltaskforce.eu / info@animaltaskforce.eu

ACCA (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) welcomes the start of the mandate of Bulgaria at the helm of the Council of the EU. The global accountancy body notes Bulgaria’s priorities while acknowledging the significant challenges ahead, including Brexit negotiations.

The programme of the rotating presidency trio “Estonia-Bulgaria-Austria” is focusing on security, strengthening the external borders of the EU, economic growth and competitiveness.

Bulgaria, which started its mandate on 1January,  indicated its willingness to work towards a “secure” Europe, because the EU’s vulnerability has been exacerbated by the migration crisis and the terrorist acts over the past years. “Stability” and “solidarity” are also two key  theme in Bulgaria’s announced roadmap.

ACCA welcomes the focus of Bulgarian Presidency’s priorities and believes that its motto - “United We Stand Strong” – is particularly relevant in these turbulent times.

Helen Brand, OBE, ACCA’s Chief Executive said: “Bulgaria will also have to oversee the UK exit from the EU and supporting  the implementation of the conclusions of the European Council (Article 50) of December 2017 will be a key challenge.

ACCA is a global professional body, and as such, is convinced that the sooner there is a solid agreement on the nature and length of any transitional arrangement the better. We will continue to monitor developments closely and ensure that the interests of our members and the wider profession are duly considered by both the UK and the EU”.

ACCA particularly welcomes Bulgaria’s focus on digital economy and skills for the future.

Helen Brand explains: “ACCA, as a global qualification provider, is fully aware that digital technology is not only reshaping education, but indeed the global economy and the face of today’s workplace. This is why we agree that completing the EU digital single market and development of digital economy and skills is vital.Digital transformation is more than bits and bytes. We therefore encourage Bulgaria to be ambitious in its contribution towards an Action Plan for digital education, developing digital skills and digital literacy”.

ACCA also commends Bulgaria’s choice as a key priority to continue work on the European Commission package on “Modernising Education – Youth Initiative” and to progress on the New Skills Agenda for Europe.

Helen Brand stresses: “Like the Bulgarian Presidency, ACCA is a strong supporter of the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships. We look forward to successful negotiations on this in the coming months, as well on  key competences for lifelong learning. We also think that identifying the right skills for tomorrow’s workplace and a better planning and interaction of the policies in the area of education, training and employment, is an urgent priority that should be shared by all”.

Helen Brand concludes: “the Bulgarian Presidency takes up the helm at a challenging time; but it is encouraging that it appears ready to tackle the big issues facing the EU head-on. We wish the EU2018Bulgaria team the best of luck, and stand ready to offer our support”.

ends

Notes to Editors

About ACCA

Contact: Cecile Bonino, head of EU Affairs, cecile.bonino@accaglobal.com or +32 (0) 2 286 11 37

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

The taxation of the EU’s digital economy needs to be clear, comprehensive and consistent and cannot be separated from global tax policy, says ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) in its response to the European Commission’s public consultation on ‘Fair taxation of the digital economy’.

Jason Piper, ACCA senior manager for tax and business law says: ‘The aim of the consultation is to define an approach about how the digital economy should be taxed. We agree with the Commission’s aims that the approach to the taxation of the digital economy must be fair and transparent, and one that supports public revenue. A level playing field is also a must – not just in Europe but globally too.’

However, ACCA says that complications arise because of the legal definition of what constitutes a purely digital business for the purposes of taxation.

‘While it is easy to identify ‘pure’ digital economy businesses at one of the spectrum, it is increasingly difficult to set a clear dividing line of the kind needed to discriminate for legal purposes between a digital solution to a conventional business issue and a conventional business which utilises some digital tools in its existing processes.

‘To be as effective as possible, the fair taxation of the digital economy needs to be implemented in a consistent global fashion, and based upon agreed and recognised definitions and principles. A policy decision such as this cannot be rushed and needs to be balanced against the long term considerations. EU policy makers need to work with international bodies, such as the OECD, and with businesses themselves, to enhance the effectiveness of measures and avoid unintended and undesirable side effects of change.’

Jason Piper concludes: ‘The need to distinguish between those businesses or transactions which are affected and those which are not will add to administrative complexity and burdens for tax payers and the accountancy profession alike.  We believe that taxpayers and their advisers will need time to familiarise themselves with novel processes and definitions, while tax administrations will need to implement their own tools for processing and auditing returns. The long term impact of these economic costs should not be underestimated, especially where that burden might fall upon smaller businesses which will have smaller absolute reserves and may be relying upon those to fund accelerated growth.’

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

Helen Thompson

E: Helen.Thompson@accaglobal.com

T: +44 (0)20 7059 5759

M: +44 (0)7725 498 654
Twitter @ACCANews

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

BRUSSELS, 10th January 2018 -- The Spanish automotive supply industry represented by SERNAUTO, in close coordination with CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, presented today in Brussels the various technology solutions manufactured in the country in the pursuit of CO2 emissions reduction, contributing to the decarbonisation of road transport in the EU.

During a breakfast debate for policy makers hosted by Pilar Ayuso MEP, several representatives from Spanish and Spanish-based companies including Bosch, CIE Automotive, Gestamp, Grupo Antolin and Valeo took the floor to introduce a variety of options such as thermal management, engine efficiency and weight reduction of components and structures as well as the harnessing of material and energy resources, stressing the need to take all technology options into account in upcoming CO2 legislation for cars and vans.

The European Parliament and Council of Member States are about to start the first reading of a new legislative proposal to reduce car emissions in the 2020-2030 timeframe. The legislation will have a large impact on the European automotive industry.

MEP Pilar Ayuso: “Spain has a proud history as a prominent automotive country in Europe, with manufacturing plants rooted all across the country fostering innovation and providing high-skilled employment. It was very interesting to learn what technology can do, and how Europe can build on the strengths of its industry to tackle environmental issues.”

José Portilla, managing director of SERNAUTO, said: “The automotive supply sector is key for the economic fabric of Spain and exports its products to all over the world. It is important, in order to sustain the EU technological leadership and the competitiveness of the automotive suppliers, that Europe continues to have a challenging yet neutral legislative framework.”

Sigrid de Vries, secretary general of CLEPA, added: “CLEPA asks the legislator to maintain an open mind for all technology options and provide a policy framework that positively accelerates innovation in Europe. There is no ‘one-fits-all’ solution to achieve society’s energy-efficiency and CO2-emissions reduction targets: cars, vans, bikes, buses and trucks serve different mobility purposes, and customers must have the choice to pick the technology combination that fits their needs best.”

CLEPA considers the new car CO2 proposal highly demanding and stresses that focus should turn to how the targets should be met, mitigating disruption to economy and society.

Electrification, hybrid technology, alternative and synthetic fuels, eco-innovations and other solutions to increase energy efficiency all have a role to play, in an integrated policy approach encompassing market incentives, energy mix and infrastructure investments as well.

SERNAUTO and CLEPA members offer mobility solutions that build on their long-standing industrial strength to realise ambitious environmental and safety-related objectives, counting multinationals as well as thousands of SMEs in its membership. Up to 75% of the value of an average vehicle comes from its components and parts. Automotive suppliers invest more than half of all automotive R&D in the EU (over EUR 22 billion per year). They are a key asset for Europe’s economy and wealth creation.

Specifically, Spanish Automotive Suppliers contributes significantly to the Spanish economy due to its size, creation of value, interaction with other sectors and exports. It is a strategic sector with revenues of more than 34 billion euros in 2016 and totalling 343,500 direct and indirect jobs. It’s a sector intensely committed to R&D and innovation, with an investment of 4% of its turnover, due to its strong technological base.

Note to Editors

CLEPA is the European Association of Automotive Suppliers. Over 120 of the world's most prominent suppliers for car parts, systems and modules and 23 National trade associations and European sector associations are members of CLEPA, representing more than 3 thousand companies, employing more than 5 million people and covering all products and services within the automotive supply chain. Based in Brussels, Belgium, CLEPA is recognised as the natural discussion partner by the European Institutions, United Nations and fellow associations (ACEA, JAMA, MEMA, etc.).

Facts about the European automotive industry

• Some 12 million people are employed in the European automotive industry
• European automotive suppliers directly employ 5 million people
• European automotive suppliers invest more than €20bn in RDI per year. They are the biggest private investor into research and innovation
• Per year, 18 million vehicles are manufactured in Europe, contributing to the stability and growth of the European economy

SERNAUTO is the Spanish Association of Automotive Suppliers. Founded in 1967, it brings together over 85% of the sectorial turnover through its affiliated member companies. It represents an industry consisting of more than 1,000 companies that provide components to the 17 vehicle manufacturing plants located in Spain. The sector is third in terms of number of exports, directly exporting 60% of production and reaching 82% if the components installed on exported vehicles are taken into account. It is a strategic sector in Spain with revenues of more than 34 billion euros in 2016 and totalling 343,500 direct and indirect jobs.

SERNAUTO is the organization recognized by the Spanish Directorate General for Trade and Investment (MINECO) as the association officially representing the sector in Spain.

For more information, please contact:

• CLEPA:                                                                       communications@clepa.be
• SERNAUTO:                Carolina Lopez                       carolina.lopez@sernauto.es

Brussels, 11 January 2018

Today the parliamentary committee on industry, research and energy passed important recommendations on how to use innovation to boost clean energy in the European Union. The goal of the Socialists and Democrats is to ensure that environmental and human sustainability go hand in hand, ensuring a just transition towards a de-carbonised economy.

S&D spokesperson on industry and energy, Dan Nica MEP, said:
 
“Innovation can, and must, play a crucial role in developing new technologies to help companies and families adapt to a low-carbon economy. Energy innovation can foster efficiency, help us to save on energy bills, and contribute to fighting climate change.
 
“The EU and member states should contribute by accelerating these technical developments, and proper legislation needs to be put in place in order to bring legal certainty to those investing in innovation.”

S&D spokesperson on this file, Peter Kouroumbashev MEP, said:
 
“Innovation in clean energy will benefit consumers and companies by providing energy at affordable prices, better information on their consumption and a more personalised use adapted to their needs. SMEs and start-ups should play a key role in the process of unlocking the full potential of energy innovation. European local and regional authorities must be empowered to be able to develop, fund and deploy energy innovation projects according to their particular needs.
 
“However, not all EU countries are equally prepared to foster and use innovation and some member states lack the capacity and the funds to fully develop such policies. Geographical disparities between countries are obvious and it is crucial that the EU provides a coherent and simplified financial framework to reinforce member states’ capacities.
 
“The Commission should recognise the benefits of e-mobility and hydrogen mobility and support the financing of innovation in this direction, as well as further development of batteries, storage solutions and charging infrastructure.”

MEPs INVOLVED

NICA Dan

dan.nica@ep.europa.eu

+32 2 284 54 48

+33 3 88 17 54 48

http://www.dannica.ro/

KOUROUMBASHEV Peter

peter.kouroumbashev@ep.europa.eu

+32 2 284 57 08

http://www.peterkouroumbashev.com/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

MARTIN DE LA TORRE, Victoria

victoria.martindelatorre@ep.europa.eu

+33 3 88 16 42 98

+32 2 284 30 81

The European Parliament’s civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee today backed new rules that will make it easier to freeze and confiscate money or assets generated by criminal activity. The new measures will make it significantly simpler for national authorities to freeze assets used in organised crime in different EU member states. Negotiations will now begin with the European Council and Commission to finalise the new law.

S&D Group spokesperson for the proposals Emilian Pavel MEP said:
 
“These new rules are another important step in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. Freezing or confiscating illegally gained assets is one of the most effective means of combating organised crime. Having mutually recognised laws across the EU makes it easier for national authorities to tackle the issue across Europe. Organised crime is an EU-wide problem, it is clear that we need an effective EU-wide response. 
 
“For our Group it was essential to ensure that these new tools could only be used for their intended purpose. We therefore managed to secure important amendments to protect fundamental rights and ensure strong procedural safeguards. It is now vital that these new proposals are implemented quickly and effectively by the member states.”

MEPs INVOLVED

PAVEL Emilian

emilian.pavel@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45844

+33(0)3 88 1 75844

http://www.emilianpavel.ro/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

ALLAN, Tim

tim.allan@ep.europa.eu

+32 2 283 41 82

For immediate release: 

Françoise Maon, Communications Officer

Tel: +32 2 761 16 33 
Email: easee-gas@kellencompany.com

(BRUSSELS, 09 January 2018) A new version of the Harmonised Gas Role Model Specification document prepared by the EASEE-gas Role Model Taskforce is now available for download on the EASEE-gas website (click here).

The EASEE-gas Role Model Taskforce, consisting of members of the Business Process Working Group and the Edigas Message Working Group, updated the first version of the Harmonised Gas Role Model Specification document (published in December 2016). The document, written from a business process perspective, identifies and defines the different roles carried out within the gas market. Its main focus is on information exchange between market participants (excluding legal matters) and provides a common terminology for the roles that are used among most European countries.

"We noticed a disparity of definitions with regards to the different actors, roles and business processes used in the gas market and with that in mind we thought it would be useful to list everything in one single document", said Peter Meeuwis, Chairman or the EASEE-gas Executive Committee and Board member.

The existence of the document has been reported on the Gas Network Codes Functionality Platform and the EASEE-gas Role Model Taskforce will now focus on transposing it into a CBP (Common Business Practice).

This press release is available in the news section of the website.

***

About EASEE-gas:

EASEE-gas (European Association for the Streamlining of Energy Exchange - gas) was set up in 2002 in order to develop and promote business practices to simplify and streamline both physical gas transfer and trading across Europe. EASEE-gas presently has 93 full members (companies active in the European gas market) and 30 associate members (industry associations, regulators, government agencies, etc). For more information, please visit www.easee-gas.eu

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday 11 January 2018

New research, from an international group of health policy experts led by the University of Bath (UK), reports a mixed picture of transparency in public decisions-making around new medicine approvals in Poland, one of Europe’s largest pharmaceutical markets.

Despite a troubled relationship with the European Commission, Poland has been hailed as a leader in modernising its assessment systems in establishing whether new drugs represent good value for money and merit significant public investment.

Drawing on comprehensive analysis of over 330 scientific drug assessments, the new findings suggest that the Polish Agency for Health Technology Assessment has reached the 'gold' transparency standard set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England. Surprisingly, the Polish Agency has even exceeded NICE in certain ways, such as providing details of the timing of assessment processes.

But, this is not a complete success story as there are still areas in which the Polish Agency significantly lags behind NICE. The research finds that scientific assessment reports include a high amount of redacted - or blacked out - information on drug prices, which prevents proper public scrutiny of decisions with huge financial consequences.

In addition, the Agency lacks transparency in disclosing potential conflicts of interest of its experts with multinational pharmaceutical giants. It is often unclear how many experts had financial ties to the industry, what their nature was and whether they were appropriately addressed.

The finding is supported by another piece of research, published last month, by the same research group. Based on over 100 interviews and thorough analysis of key policy documents, the study authors identify a ‘Fire Exit’ syndrome, where low-earning civil servants leave public organisations to take up highly paid jobs in the pharmaceutical sector. It also finds a pattern of Big Pharma co-opting medical experts working in an underfunded public healthcare sector using various incentives such as research funding.

The Polish Agency therefore struggles to access expertise which may not be perceived as biased by corporate interests. To make things worse, the Agency is exposed to strong pressure by patient organisations frequently reliant on pharmaceutical funding, in the absence of appropriate state grants.

Despite regulations being in place to govern conflicts of interest in the Polish context, this suggests these may in fact be counterproductive in that they could encourage attempts at establishing informal access to decision makers. Against a backdrop of widespread acceptance of industry influence on healthcare, it suggests health professionals would benefit from greater education about awareness of conflicts of interests, including at medical schools.

Lead author, Dr Piotr Ozieranski from the Department of Social & Policy Sciences, explains: “Our research suggests that despite the significant progress made in recent years, the assessment of medical technologies in Poland still has some way to go. Achieving full transparency regarding the nature and extent of potential conflicts of interests of medical experts is a key way of reassuring us, as members of the public, that decisions reached on funding of new drugs are based exclusively on the best possible independent, scientific evidence.

“This is important as in Poland both doctors and patients are exposed to powerful mechanisms of influence deployed by Big Pharma. Increased transparency is an important step in mitigating any undue influence.

“These findings suggest that more must be done to protect public health in Poland by being more open and transparent about potential conflicts of interest which could include through new education initiatives at medical schools.”

The latest research builds on the previous work by showing how big pharma lobbies in Poland and in the West. It was funded via grants from the Department of Sociology and St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge.

To access the latest paper see https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/health-economics-policy-and-law/article/transparency-in-practice-evidence-from-verification-analyses-issued-by-the-polish-agency-for-health-technology-assessment-in-20122015/986B57535BF4E92011EE45435B65A1E1/share/328ff6ecdd18e429e587cec32c7d96b04c8a9476

Ends

For further information, please contact Andy Dunne in the University of Bath Press Office on +44 (0)1225 386319 or email a.j.dunne@bath.ac.uk

University of Bath

The University of Bath is one of the UK's leading universities both in terms of research and our reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and graduate prospects.

The University is rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), the Government’s assessment of teaching quality in universities, meaning its teaching is of the highest quality in the UK.

In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 research assessment 87 per cent of our research was defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. From developing fuel efficient cars of the future, to identifying infectious diseases more quickly, or working to improve the lives of female farmers in West Africa, research from Bath is making a difference around the world. Find out more: http://www.bath.ac.uk/research/

Well established as a nurturing environment for enterprising minds, Bath is ranked highly in all national league tables. We are ranked 5th in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2018 and 6th for graduate employment. According to the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2017, we are in the top 5 universities students would recommend to a friend. Bath has also been named Sports University of the Year 2018 by The Times and Sunday Times.

Bridgetown, BARBADOS, 10th January 2017: Given the existing contribution of the outsourcing sector to job creation in the Caribbean region, coupled with its potential for expansion, calls are being made for greater levels of priority to be given to the outsourcing sector.

Executive Director of the Caribbean Export Development Agency Pamela Coke-Hamilton said more needs to be done by regional governments in seeking to position the Caribbean for the trending opportunities in the business outsourcing industry.

Ms. Coke-Hamilton made the plea as she addressed the opening session of the inaugural staging of the Outsource to the Caribbean Conference (OCC) sponsored by itelbpo, under the theme “Leveraging the Nearshore Caribbean for Outsourcing Services”, on December 6, 2017. The conference was held at the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where representatives from over 26 countries gathered to discuss how best to attract more business from international companies to the Caribbean in areas such as call centre operations, website and animation design and legal and accounting services.       

Pointing to the outsourcing sector’s existing contribution to job creation in the region and its potential for expansion, Ms. Coke-Hamilton highlighted that an average of 5,000 workers were being added to the BPO sector annually. “In 2010, the sector provided employment for 47,000 workers and by 2015, this number had increased to 74,000... BPO and other professional services generated over US$2 billion in revenue in 2014. Calculations show that companies in the region generate close to US$25 million in revenue for every 1,000 agents”, said Ms. Coke Hamilton. 

According to the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s Executive Director, outsourcing investors are working overtime to expand their services in the Caribbean, despite the region being late comers to the business of outsourcing. “The Caribbean is a late comer to this industry but besides our educated, multi-lingual, customer focused talent pool - we have several other qualities needed to make this sector a resounding success story for the region,” contended Ms Coke-Hamilton. 

Drawing reference to an outsourcing sector investor perception survey recently conducted by her organization, Ms. Coke-Hamilton pointed out that investors perceived the Caribbean as a strategic or ideal location for outsourcing, “as we provide time zone proximity and low operating costs to investors, as a nearshore destination, we are within a similar time zone as New York, with daily flights from key markets…from Miami, we are 45 minutes to our nearest destination and up to 3 hours to our furthest”, she told the investors. 

The survey also highlighted that 45% of investors indicated that their future business plans entails expanding within the Caribbean in the next 12-24 months. “This is amazing news for the region and it means that those outsourcing firms who are here are experiencing success and want more. In making their investment decisions our respondents have noted that this forms part of a regional strategy. This is a significant motivation for us at Caribbean Export to support the promotion of the Caribbean for investments given that investors are looking regionally. They are not thinking of setting up only in one territory but several’, said Ms Coke-Hamilton. 

Another interesting find of the survey is that 100% of investors have indicated that they will be employing additional talent in the next 12-24 months, and they will be looking to the Caribbean for this labour, given the human capital assets of communication skills, ability to learn quickly and the professional nature of the Caribbean’s talent pool.  

According to Ms. Coke-Hamilton the survey also highlighted developmental issues for the Caribbean including the need to be more creative in its incentive packaging, additional training for its people and the need to provide more data or market research on the sector. 

Also speaking at the opening session was Jamaica’s Finance Minister Audley Shaw who indicated that some 26,000 persons are currently employed in the industry across the island with some 60 companies of varying sizes operating from its shores. He stated that one aspect of his government’s response to the requirements of the BPO industry is to ensure that its people are trained and equipped with the necessary skill sets to meet the demands of investors. “There is now the drive to diversify the local industry and move Jamaica up the value chain by delving deeper into new areas such as Shared Services, Legal Process Outsourcing, Computer Aided Design and Medical Process Outsourcing. These areas will present new challenges including the language barrier. We must equip our workers and position ourselves to leverage all the investment we can”, said Minister Shaw.     

He further added that the geographical spread of investors within the BPO industry is an area the government has taken note of. He pointed out that the Factories Corporation of Jamaica has been tasked with providing real estate solutions for a variety of industries, including the BPO sector. He said some 365,000 square feet of the Morant Bay Urban Centre and 750,000 square feet of the Naggo Head Technology Park will see spaces developed for the BPO sector. 

Other notable speakers at this first ever Outsourcing conference in the Caribbean was Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, The Honourable Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson. She implored upon investors that if customer retention was their goal, then the Caribbean is the place to do business. “In the Outsourcing Sector retaining talent is often a challenge, in the Caribbean, BPO’s service providers can boost attrition rates as low as 3% in Suriname and 5% in Haiti, which further supports the Caribbean’s case compare to other major outsourcing markets like India at 40% or Mexico at 25%.

About Caribbean Export

Caribbean Export is a regional export development and trade and investment promotion organisation of the Forum of Caribbean States (CARIFORUM) currently executing the Regional Private Sector Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union  under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF)  Caribbean Export’s mission is to increase the competitiveness of Caribbean countries by providing quality export development and trade and investment promotion services through effective programme execution and strategic alliances.

More information about Caribbean Export can be found at www.carib-export.com.  Contact: JoEllen Laryea, PR and Communications, Caribbean Export Development Agency, Tel: +1(246) 436-0578, Fax: +1(246) 436-9999, Email: jlaryea@carib-export.com

Press Release Member of the European Parliament Martina Michels (GUE/NGL)

Brussels, 11/01/2018