2030 EU target for renewables in transport leaves an opening for sustainable crop-based biofuels to help reach Paris goals

BRUSSELS, 17 January 2018 – The European Parliament’s vote to phase out palm oil and allow some crop-based biofuels is a welcome recognition that the EU needs all the sustainable tools it can get in the fight against climate change.

By agreeing to a 12% target for renewables in transport, MEPs have left room in the EU energy mix for sustainable biofuels to replace fossil fuels. But to assure its place as the global leader on climate issues, the EU still needs to do more. It needs a renewable energy policy that looks beyond labels like “conventional” or “advanced” and instead to the real sustainability credentials of biofuels. European renewable ethanol – produced from European crops, delivers 66% average greenhouse gas reductions over fossil petrol with no adverse effects. Its production helps offset Europe’s need to import high-protein animal feed.

“Europeans deserve a climate policy that lives up to the promises made by politicians,” said Emmanuel Desplechin, Secretary General of ePURE, the European renewable ethanol association. “The Parliament has sent a message that not all biofuels are created equal by focusing on getting rid of those that drive deforestation like palm oil. But its amendments still risk making it harder for EU Member States to realistically boost renewables in transport.”

“As the main EU institutions begin negotiations on renewables policy for the post-2020 period, the EU must remain committed to a meaningful binding target for renewables in transport – one that does not rely on artificial multipliers to create the illusion of better performance and make it easier for countries to meet their targets,” Desplechin said. “It should also keep in place the maximum contribution of crop-based biofuels at 7% – essential for safeguarding current and future investments. And it needs a strong commitment to ramping up advanced biofuels.”

“The EU can still make this legislation work. By empowering Member States to use homegrown solutions for renewable energy, Europe can truly deliver on its Paris commitments.”
 

--ENDS--

VDMA: Politics must not pass the responsibility for counterterrorism and protection of human rights to companies

Brussels/Frankfurt, 17 January 2018 - The mechanical engineering industry vehemently oppose the proposals to reform EU export controls on dual-use goods, which are the subject of a European Parliament vote on 17 January. VDMA believes that nearly all of the proposals are unacceptable from a professional perspective.

“This is an excessive accumulation of changes that make export controls no better, just more bureaucratic,” says Klaus Friedrich, an expert in export controls at VDMA’s Foreign Trade Department. In addition, the newly proposed control targets of combating terrorism and protecting human rights will place too much of a burden on export controls as a tool. “Businesses are not counterterrorism officials,” says Friedrich. The European Parliament agrees with this viewpoint at least in part. The Committee on International Trade has expressed opposition to “catch-all” controls making the fight against terrorism a goal of the control process.

However, the European Parliament does support the introduction of catch-all controls to protect human rights in the area of monitoring technology. “That will be too much of a burden for companies,” says Friedrich. Catch-all controls are difficult to apply in any case, and to work, they need a technological target, such as arms or military technology. They will not work for the purpose of political, purely subjective control targets

“The responsibility of the State for protecting human rights cannot be simply pushed onto companies,” says Friedrich critically. For traditional export controls, there are pre-requirements set down by the State: arms and military technology are defined in technical terms, and the target countries considered critical in this regard are also predeterminded. All of this is missing with the proposed catch-all controls on human rights. “The policy-makers must state which countries are making unacceptable use of monitoring technology from a human rights perspective,” Friedrich insists. The State must take responsibility in this regard, and that aspect is something the European Parliament completely ignores.

Following the vote in the Parliament, it is now up to the EU member countries to take a critical position on the new draft of the Dual Use Regulation in the Council of the EU. Germany initiated European export controls in 1995, and since then it has been the country most affected by export controls, by far. “For that reason, it will mainly be companies and administration in Germany that will carry the can for the changes proposed by the European Commission, some of which are frankly absurd,” Friedrich warns.

VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, Mechanical Engineering Industry Association) represents more than 3,200 mostly medium-sized companies in the capital goods industry, making it the largest industry association in Europe. With more than 1 million employees in Germany and a turnover of 219 bn. Euro (2016), the mechanical engineering industry is the largest industrial employer in Germany and one of the leading industries overall.

Strasbourg, 17 January 2018

At the request of S&D Euro MPs, the European Commission will later today have to answer on their actions to fight against trafficking in human beings. According to Commission figures, 76% of registered victims of human trafficking are women and at least 15% are children. Trafficking for sexual exploitation (67%) is still the most widespread form, followed by labour exploitation (21%) which is on the rise, with agriculture being one of the high-risk areas. S&D MEPs have led calls for better identification, treatment and support for victims as well as harsher penalties for traffickers and those who exploit victims.

Anna Hedh, S&D MEP and spokesperson for human trafficking, said:

“Trafficking in human beings is a modern form of slavery and a gender issue. 4 out of 5 victims of trafficking are women. Of these, the vast majority are trafficked for sexual exploitation and prostitution. 

“The fight against trafficking in human beings requires close co-operation between member states, but also stronger action by the Commission. Clearly, there is a need for more financial and human resources to be allocated to the implementation of the 2011 directive to fight against trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation, as well as for the protection of victims. I was very disappointed that the Commission only issued a communication and not a new EU strategy to combat this very serious cross-border crime. We call on the Commission to present a fully-fledged EU strategy against human trafficking to end this form of modern slavery once and for all.”

S&D Group spokesperson for women’s rights and gender equality, Iratxe García Pérez MEP, added:

"Most victims of human trafficking are forced into prostitution, yet, a growing number of women are also trafficked for the purpose of labour exploitation, especially in the agricultural sector. In June last year an S&D fact-finding missing to Ragusa, Sicily, found that especially Romanian women are trafficked to Italy. These women face horrendous working and living conditions; they are forced to harvest crops on the fields for twelve hours in extreme heat without water; are hosted in shacks; often denied their meagre pay and only too often subjected to physical and sexual violence. It is shameful that this modern day slavery exists in 21st century Europe, and that profits are made from exploitation.

S&D MEPs have led calls for better identification, treatment and support for victims as well as harsher penalties for traffickers and those who exploit victims and we will continue to fight until trafficking in human beings is eradicated once and for all.”

Note to the editor:
In 2011, the EU adopted a directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. The text was due to be transposed by EU member states by 6 April 2013. In 2016, MEPs assessed current European legislation to combat human trafficking and recommended several measures to improve the situation in two resolutions adopted in May and July. MEPs called on EU countries to better implement existing laws and provide better support to victims. The Parliamentary question to the European Commission can be found here.

Strasbourg, 17 January 2018

Socialists and Democrats are leading the European transition towards a clean and sustainable economic and social model in which energy plays a central role. This is why, today, the S&D Group pushed for ambitious goals in the three energy reports that passed through in plenary: on energy efficiency, on renewables and on energy governance.

 
The S&D rapporteurs on efficiency and on renewables, Miroslav Poche and José Blanco respectively, managed to improve the Commission’s proposal and secure support for a minimum 35% binding target to increase energy efficiency and a 35% binding target for renewables in the energy mix by 2030.
 
Furthermore, the S&Ds also introduced specific measures to fight energy poverty. S&Ds regret, however, that the conservative majority in the Parliament voted against measures to ensure a just transition for workers in heavy, carbon-intensive industries as requested by the S&D, where workers would have been provided with the skills and training necessary to access jobs in the clean energy economy.

S&D vice-president for sustainability, Kathleen Van Brempt MEP, said:
 
 “The EU currently imports more than half of the energy it consumes, and we pay 1 billion euros every day to countries outside of the EU. In the meantime, we are wasting much of our own energetic resources. Where the increase of labour productivity was the driver of economic growth over the past century, the ‘energy productivity revolution’ must become the driver of economic progress and prosperity in the 21st century.
 
 “By reducing the energy we waste and increasing our use of renewable energy we can expect that in the near future we can reach a carbon-free economy. By investing in clean technologies and in the renovation of energy wasting buildings into near zero-energy buildings, we will create millions of jobs and we will keep the cash flow within the EU. That is much better than losing the same amount of money on fossil imports from unstable regions outside the EU.

 “For the first time we put in place a consistent strategy, avoiding false solutions like using palm oil. We blocked investments in new production of food crop-based biofuels. We must push for the advanced biofuels, leaving aside food and instead using forest residues, agricultural waste and manure from livestock. All this will contribute to a zero-waste model, which is also more ethical.
 
 "We also propose that member states equip their fuel stations along the European highways with faster charging points, helping drivers to opt for electric vehicles rather than fuel, thus getting rid of their anxiety of being stranded with an empty battery during their holidays."

The rapporteur for renewable energy, S&D MEP José Blanco, said:
 
 “The European Commission was too timid in its proposal of only 27% of renewable energy by 2030, and these times require more ambition. If Europe wants to fulfil its Paris commitments, to fight climate change and to lead the energy transition, we need to do more. The Parliament was able to achieve a broad consensus for a significantly higher 2030 target raising it to 35%.
 
 “We also managed to reinforce self-consumption as a right, to bring security and certainty to investors, to raise the ambition for decarbonising the transport sector, as well as the heating and cooling sectors. Decarbonisation is not a drag on economic growth; on the contrary, it is the driver of competitiveness, economic activity and employment.
 
 “In December, the Council missed the opportunity to join efforts to boost renewable energies. However, we hope that it will be up to the task during the inter-institutional negotiations. Europe’s credibility is at stake.”

The rapporteur for energy efficiency, S&D MEP Miroslav Poche, said:
 
 “The energy efficiency first approach has been adopted as one of the key dimensions of the EU’s energy union strategy. An ambitious policy in this area will contribute to achieving both our climate and energy goals as well as to increasing our competitiveness. It is also one of the best ways to fight energy poverty in Europe.
 
 “The European Parliament has substantially increased the ambition for energy savings. We have also managed to close most of the loopholes that slowed down the progress under the existing legislation, such as including the transport sector and pushing member states to replace those measures that do not deliver savings.
 
 “Moreover, we believe that we can also convince the Council, which has shown a lack of ambition so far, that to boost energy efficiency will trigger additional economic growth, create local jobs and improve our competitiveness.”

Strasbourg, 17 January 2018

The S&D Group strongly protests against the announcement of the US administration to freeze 65 million USD budget support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the UN agency providing basic services to millions of Palestine refugees across the Middle East.

S&D vice-president Elena Valenciano MEP said:
 
"We condemn and strongly protest against this unacceptable decision of president Trump and his administration. As the United States contributed more than 350 million USD to UNRWA's budget last year, this announcement may result in a cut of more than 290 million USD in reality, undermining the Agency and the very basic services it provides to Palestine refugees across the Middle East. We are talking about the food, the health and the human dignity of millions of people who have been living as refugees for decades waiting for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But, we are also talking about the access to education of more than half a million Palestinian children, the future generation. President Trump is playing with fire in the Middle East at their expense without offering any new hope in the peace process.

S&D vice-president Victor Boştinaru MEP said:
 
"UNRWA finds itself in the deepest financial crisis of its history. This is the very moment to express our solidarity with Palestine refugees and to give our support to the Agency. We urge the European Union and our member states to play a leading role in mobilising the international community to create a stable funding scheme for UNRWA in a multilateral context, which should be predictable and sustainable in the long run. We have to find an immediate response to the current crisis, but we should also use the momentum to think of long-term mechanisms which can guarantee that UNRWA services to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Palestinian families cannot be instrumentalised for political purposes."

Strasbourg, 18 January 2018

Today the European Parliament is set to approve an S&D report on professional qualifications. Regulated professions represent one fifth of the labour force in the EU and cover many crucial sectors such as health and social services, transport, tourism and education.

S&D Group spokesperson for the internal market and author of the report on professional qualifications, Nicola Danti MEP, said:
 
“Professions play a crucial role in the European economy. Today, there are over 5.500 regulated professions in the EU covering one fifth of the labour force. A fair and effective regulation of professions and professional services is crucial both for safeguarding the public interest, such as health or environmental protection, and for ensuring labour mobility in the Single Market. Neither overregulation, which would hamper fair competition and throttle much needed innovation capacity for dealing with digitisation and globalisation, nor deregulation, which would jeopardise public services such as health and education, would be a promising strategy for the future.
 
“In my report, we highlight that is crucial to reach a good balance in the national regulatory frameworks between ensuring competitiveness, where it is needed, and safeguarding the public interest, by putting forward a regulation that is proportionate, non-discriminatory and transparent. Ensuring the quality of professional services is essential for preserving the European economic and social model.”

Note to the editor:
The Danti report is a report on the implementation of the 2005 Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, which applies to all regulated professions with some exceptions like notaries. In the absence of harmonisation at the EU level, professions in the EU are regulated at member state level. To facilitate free movement, the directive sets rules for the automatic recognition of professional qualifications, an automatic recognition system of professional experience, as well as the cross-border provision of services. The 2005 Directive was revised in 2013, bringing some additional requirements for member states.

MEPs INVOLVED

DANTI Nicola

nicola.danti@ep.europa.eu

+32(0)2 28 45143

+33(0)3 88 1 75143

http://www.nicoladanti.it/

S&D PRESS CONTACT

PELZ, Silvia

silvia.pelz@ep.europa.eu

+33 3 88 17 81 64

+32 2 284 87 12

Geneva, 18 January 2018

• The new AMR Industry Alliance of more than 100 biotech, diagnostics, generics and research-based biopharmaceutical companies and trade associations launches its first progress report today. The report measures action taken in four areas: research and science, access, appropriate use, and the environment.
• In 2016, the report shows that 22 Alliance companies invested at least USD 2 billion in R&D dedicated to AMR-related products. The funds cover costs for early-stage R&D, exploring new product classes, ten antibiotics in late-stage clinical development, 13 clinical bacterial vaccine candidates, 18 AMR-relevant diagnostic products, and other preventive therapies.
• More than two out of three Alliance companies surveyed with marketed AMR products, have strategies, policies or plans in place to improve access to their AMR-relevant products.
• The Alliance is appealing to policy makers to draw from the evidence provided in this report, and invites stakeholders to work more systematically with the life sciences industry, to find sustainable solutions to tackling antimicrobial resistance.
• The Alliance plans to give further impetus to industry efforts to curb AMR by increasing levels of response in the next progress report in 2020.

Today, the AMR Industry Alliance launches its first report that shows the commitment of the life sciences industry to tackle the public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The Alliance brings together over 100 biotech, diagnostics, generics and research-based biopharmaceutical companies and trade associations from 20 countries. The report was compiled by the consultancy SustainAbility. The data and case studies collected in the Alliance report provide unique insights into the practical steps members are taking to respond to AMR in the areas of research and science, access, appropriate use, and the environment. The report presents data on AMR-relevant products, including therapeutic agents or technologies that have the potential to treat or prevent infectious diseases and/or combat resistance, including but not limited to antibiotics, vaccines, diagnostics, and novel approaches to address AMR. The Alliance showcases industry’s efforts and commitment to fulfil its role as a necessary and constructive partner in finding sustainable solutions to tackle AMR.

Today, an estimated 700,000 people die each year because of the growing number of potentially deadly infectious pathogens. These include pathogens that cause tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, and staph infections, which have developed resistance to treatment regimens. AMR has the potential to turn back the clock on modern medicine. In response to this public health threat and its social and economic consequences, the United Nations in 2016 called for concerted action from governments and various sectors to address the implications of AMR. The AMR Industry Alliance is the life sciences industry’s response to this call for action.

“This first report is ground-breaking for several reasons,” explains Thomas Cueni, chair of the Alliance. “It is unique in that the companies have committed to walk the talk together and report on their progress. It is the first industry-wide grouping of this scale that has been set up to respond to the AMR emergency.”

Adrian van den Hoven, Director General, Medicines for Europe commented “The AMR Industry Alliance report is a key milestone in cementing industry commitment to tackling this global challenge in a collaborative manner. In fighting AMR, the right balance should be found between facilitating access while ensuring appropriate use. This can only be achieved by multiple stakeholders working together to define the principles of appropriate use, which ensures that public health remains safe-guarded. Patients who need antibiotic medicines should be able to have access to the appropriate treatment they need to get better. Equally, medical professionals need to be able to choose from a wide range of antibiotics to provide optimal treatment for their patients. The AMR Industry Alliance, and Medicines for Europe as member, is committed to being part of this dialogue, and taking action which we hope will change the tide on AMR.”

This first progress report has aggregated data from 36 companies from all four categories represented in the Alliance: all research-based biopharmaceutical companies (11 out of 11), half of the generics (3 out of 6), one third of diagnostics members (5 out of 15), and one quarter (17 out of 68) of SMEs provided input. The Alliance is committed to reporting progress every two years. It is also dedicated to refining its approach to better address the challenges for its members in responding, so that it can achieve greater participation than seen in this first report.

The submitted data provides considerable insight into private sector efforts to curb AMR and shows that “broadly the Alliance membership is already active and making positive contributions to the challenge of AMR, even though there is a long way to go – on full Alliance participation and greater gains against AMR,” said Denise Delaney, Director at SustainAbility.

Research and science: The report confirms a broad commitment to research by companies in 2016. At least USD 2 billion in R&D was dedicated to AMR-related products in 2016. This is a conservative number as it corresponds to the data provided by only 22 companies. These investments cover R&D-related costs for early-stage R&D exploring new product classes, ten antibiotics in late-stage clinical development, 13 clinical bacterial vaccine candidates, and 18 AMR-relevant diagnostic products, as well as other preventive therapies. A majority of Alliance companies viewed R&D incentives as either “promising but with far to go” or “insufficient relative to the challenge.”

Access: While vast amounts of antimicrobials, especially antibiotics, go to waste on patients and animals who do not need them, almost six million people die each year from infections, because they lack access to these medicines. The Alliance supports protecting the efficacy of antibiotics and making them available, where necessary, to every human being. More than two out of three Alliance companies surveyed with marketed AMR products have strategies, policies or plans in place, which include principles or efforts to improve access to their AMR-relevant products. A similar number of companies are engaged in dialogue with external stakeholders on improving access to their AMR relevant products. Many of the Alliance generics and R&D-based biopharmaceutical companies with AMR-relevant products believe more work is needed to determine how to balance expanding access with appropriate use, reduce falsified products, and work with other stakeholders to address access issues in low and middle income countries.

Appropriate use: Over 80% of all responding companies are engaged in activities to support appropriate use, while nearly half of the responding companies have a formal appropriate use strategy in place. Nearly 90% of responding companies – and 70% of those with AMR-relevant marketed products – are planning to, currently collecting or support the collection of surveillance data. More than half of the responding companies are planning to, or are currently engaged in, stewardship education activities, directly or collaboratively. This number increases to 70% for those companies with a marketed AMR-relevant product. However, it is broadly acknowledged that there is a considerable way to go, and the potential of vaccines and diagnostics is not yet fully explored.

Manufacturing and the environment: Alliance companies, particularly those that made bold commitments in the Roadmap, are taking action to reduce the potential impacts of antibiotics manufacturing on AMR. One third of the Alliance companies that produce antibiotics currently have a strategy, policy or plan in place to address the issue of the release of antibiotics in their own manufacturing effluent that may contribute to AMR. Three quarters of them anticipate the implementation of good practice methods to reduce environmental impact of manufacturing discharge by 2018, well ahead of the 2020 target. The report also features a newly drafted common framework for managing antibiotic discharge across company supply chains.

Progress report: https://www.amrindustryalliance.org/progress-report/

About the AMR Industry Alliance

The AMR Industry Alliance is a coalition of over 100 biotechnology, diagnostic, generics and research-based biopharmaceutical companies and trade associations that was formed to drive and measure industry progress to curb antimicrobial resistance. The AMR Industry Alliance ensures that signatories collectively deliver on the specific commitments made in the Industry Declaration on AMR and the Roadmap and measures progress made in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

www.amrindustryalliance.org

About SustainAbility

SustainAbility is a consultancy and think tank enabling business to lead on the sustainability agenda.

www.sustainability.com

Press contacts:

Morgane De Pol

IFPMA

m.depol@ifpma.org

+41 22 338 32 20

Kate O’Regan

Medicines for Europe

koregan@medicinesforeurope.com

+32 2 2392019

Marie Petit

BEAM Alliance

marie.petit@beam-alliance.eu

+33 6 50 01 15 33

Daniel Seaton

Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)

dseaton@bio.org

+1.202.470.5207

Danielle M. Blake

AdvaMed

dblake@advamed.org

+1-202-434-7233

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Medicines for Europe Communications:

Andrea Bedorin
abedorin@medicinesforeurope.com

Kate O’Regan

Koregan@medicinesforeurope.com

Strasbourg, 18 January 2018

Following the scandal of the Monsanto Papers and how the pesticide company tried to influence EU legislation, Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament requested that a special committee investigates what happened and puts in place measures to avoid any further scandals. 

 
Today the Conference of Group Presidents officially backed the creation of this special committee on glyphosate and other pesticides. It will have to be approved by the Parliament’s plenary in February. 

S&D vice-president for sustainability, Kathleen Van Brempt MEP, said:
 
“The Monsanto scandal unveiled how the multinational company tried to influence the outcome of scientific reports so that the licence of the controversial pesticide would be renewed. This is unacceptable and we will get to the bottom of it.
 
“At a time when the EU is engaged in improving legislation on health safety and a sustainable environmental policy, we can’t afford a shadow of a doubt. We must find out whether the positive reports of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on glyphosate were influenced by Monsanto.
 
“However, the scope will be broader than this specific case. We will demand a strong mandate to scrutinize the way in which various pesticides are authorised. Our aim is to improve the procedures and address citizens’ concerns, to increase transparency and assure that European Agencies can rely on independent scientific research.”

Strasbourg, 18 January 2018

The European Parliament will today vote on a report assessing the impact of the Youth Employment Initiative in the member states and giving recommendations on how to improve it for the future. The Youth Employment Initiative is one of the main EU financial resources to support the implementation of the Youth Guarantee scheme. Back in 2012, when youth unemployment was at its highest in the EU, the Socialists and Democrats successfully pushed the Commission to create the Youth Guarantee against the resistance of conservative sceptics. Since its launch in 2014, more than 10 million young Europeans have benefited from it.

The Socialists and Democrats are campaigning to make the Youth Guarantee a permanent feature of EU employment policies, and to scale it up, by calling for a continued political and financial commitment in the upcoming negotiations on the next multi-annual financial framework; by ensuring that especially those countries affected most by youth unemployment have access to funding and that those young people who need it most, namely young people who are neither in employment, education or training (NEETs), benefit most.

With their amendments, Euro S&D MPs are calling for the establishment of a European definition of good quality offers of education, training and jobs, to ensure that the Youth Guarantee will really help to integrate unemployed young people into the labour market.

Brando Benifei, S&D MEP responsible for the Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative, said:

“Data show that the European Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative are success stories, bringing ten million young people into jobs and training over three years. However, much more needs to be done, especially regarding the quality of the training and employment offered to young people on programmes funded through the Youth Guarantee and the Youth Employment Initiative. We must develop ambitious measures to ensure that the rights of young people, such as decent working conditions, access to social protection and adequate remuneration are always respected when they participate in EU funded programmes. In the past, patchy implementation at the regional level has too often hindered the potential of the Youth Guarantee and the European Employment Initiative. It is high time that we raise the ambition to match young people’s expectations!

“I believe that the outcome of today’s vote will show if the other groups are serious about getting young people into quality jobs or are only interested in symbolic acts. The European Parliament must prove to be on the side of European youth. The S&D Group will do its part.”

Agnes Jongerius, S&D MEP and spokesperson on employment, added:

“Although youth unemployment is slowly decreasing, too many young people are still trapped in a vicious circle of unpaid traineeships, precarious work or unemployment. With over three million young Europeans still unemployed today, we must scale up the Youth Guarantee. We simply can't risk a ‘lost generation’ growing up in Europe.

"We Socialists and Democrats campaign for extending the Youth Guarantee by providing more funding, strengthening national implementation and pushing for quality offers, because we care about the future of young Europeans.”

Note to editors: 
Following a campaign by the Party of European Socialists and the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament and a proposal spearheaded by socialist EU Commissioner László Andor, the EU Youth Guarantee was established through a Council recommendation adopted in April 2013. More than 16 million young people have entered national Youth Guarantee schemes since 2014 and 10 million of them have taken up an offer of employment, training, internship or apprenticeship.

The Youth Guarantee scheme aims to ensure that every young person under 25 receives a good-quality offer of a job, training, internship or apprenticeship within four months of registering with a job centre. The Youth Guarantee has helped to reduce youth unemployment and the number of young people neither in employment, education or training (NEETs) across Europe.

Its implementation has been supported with funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) and also from the Youth Employment Initiative (€3.2 billion per year) in 2014-15.  In its mid-term review of the 2014-20 multi-annual financial framework, the Commission has proposed allocating an additional €1 billion to the Youth Employment Initiative for the four years 2017-20, ie: €250 million per year.

Strasbourg, 18 January 2018

The European Parliament today backed the signing of the Marrakesh treaty that will help improve the availability and cross-border exchange of published works for blind and visually impaired people.

S&D Group spokesperson for the treaty, Jytte Guteland said:

“People who are blind or visually impaired face major hurdles in accessing books or other printed materials. This vote today will make it easier for people in Europe and around the world to access information and literature. It will give certain exceptions to copyright rules to make it easier for publishers to produce works in formats such as braille or in large print. It also makes it easier for works to be exchanged between national borders - giving people access to a much wider range of content.”

Global economic confidence remained relatively high at the end of 2017 despite a slight dip from the previous quarter, with an improved economic outlook in the US and South Asia off-setting a more cautious mood in China.

According to the latest Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS), produced by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA (the Institute of Management Accountants), economic confidence remains high relative to the last couple of years and should continue into 2018.

Narayanan Vaidyanathan, Head of Business Insights at ACCA says,

‘Despite a small dip, the relatively high level of confidence reflects a stronger outlook in the US and India. Yet on a global level the picture remains mixed: the number of respondents expecting conditions to worsen now exceeds those expecting it to improve by 14 percentage points.

‘The hurricanes in the Caribbean last September and falling oil prices in the Middle East have seen regional confidence fall sharply.’

Raef Lawson, CMA, CPA, Ph.D., IMA vice president of research and policy, says,

‘Confidence in the US has rebounded strongly, and is now at its highest level since the start of 2017. With growth expected to hit 3% this year, and recent tax changes raising hopes of further fiscal boost, over a third of respondents expect to see improving conditions.

‘Yet 25% feel less confident than in the previous quarter. In particular there are concerns, with near full employment, the recent corporation tax cut could lead to inflation rather than growth.’

Narayanan Vaidyanathan adds,

‘The overall outlook for 2018 is a promising one in terms of global economic growth and confidence. Some of the signs of a global economic recovery in 2017 look set to continue, with improvements for developed and emerging markets.’

Fieldwork for the Q4 2017 GECS took place between 24 November and 11 December 2017 and attracted 4,011 responses from ACCA and IMA members around the world, including more than 250 CFOs.

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

David Bowden

E: david.bowden@accaglobal.com

T: +44 (0)20 7059 5019

M: + 44 (0)7540919819

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

The global accountancy body commends the European Commission’s work on VAT rates, acknowledging the sensitivity of the issue.

ACCA (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) acknowledges the publication of the Directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC as regards rates of value added tax, and commends the work of the European Commission in this difficult and complex area.

The new rules unveiled by the European Commission, would allow member states, in addition to a standard VAT rate of minimum 15%, to put in place two separate reduced rates of between 5% and the standard rate chosen by the Member State; one exemption from VAT- or 'zero rate'; and one reduced rate set at between 0% and the reduced rates, while ensuring that Member States do apply a weighted average VAT that exceeds 12%.The current list of goods and services to which reduced rates can be applied would be abolished, and replaced by a new negative list to which no exemption to the standard 15% rate could be applied, thus giving more flexibility to Member States.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury Head of Taxation at ACCA says: “This  may look at first sight as though the Commission has somewhat rowed back on earlier proposals for full freedom to set local rates. However, in the context of the wider changes to the system, it is perhaps more sensible not to create an environment in which too much additional complexity around rates for cross-border traders is allowed to creep in, at least before the other mechanisms in the Definitive Regime package have been given time to bed in and been shown to work effectively. In a dynamic tax environment there needs to be flexibility around the 12% rate, to take into account lower revenues in periods of recession. “

Regarding creating a better tax environment for SMEs,  ACCA also welcomes the new proposals, which, while maintaining  the current VAT exemption thresholds, would introduce additional element to ensure a better level playing field between small business trading domestically and across border.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury explains: “the new 2 million euros revenue threshold under which small businesses would benefit from simplification measures across the EU is very important for SMES ‘s ability to grow, and the new turnover threshold of 100,000 euros, which would allow companies operating in more than one Member State to benefit from the VAT exemption, will certainly support further cross-border trade.

“The extension of local exemption thresholds to non-established SMEs importing into other territories will further help the smallest of cross-border traders, removing a potentially significant barrier to businesses looking to make their first steps into international trade. However, the OSS will have to deal seamlessly with the different national thresholds that will now apply, and businesses will still need to be aware of their obligations when they do reach local registration thresholds”, Chas Roy-Chowdhury adds.

The Commission ‘s proposal also entails that  reduced rates should be applied only to goods sold to consumers, not to products that can be used only as an intermediate input.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury notes: “The new reduced rates will clearly benefit consumers where applied, but Member States will need to consider the extent to which they may interact with Special Schemes in particular sectors. Care must be taken to ensure that something which is a benefit to consumers does not separately create an additional burden or complexity for the businesses who supply them”.

“The ball is now in the camp of Member States, and negotiations may prove complicated, as some are not in favour of the introduction of the definitive VAT regime. ACCA stands ready to take part in the process and share its expertise on the issue”, Chas Roy-Chowdhury concludes.

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

Cecile Bonino, head of EU Affairs

+32 (0) 2 286 11 37 or cecile.bonino@accaglobal.com

Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of Taxation

+44(0)7710 707 516 or chas.roy-chowdhury@accaglobal.com

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

Malaysian Palm Oil Council secures support from EU politicians; Energises new campaign in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor, Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), outlines how the industry has responded quickly and effectively to the EU’s planned ban on Palm Oil biofuels under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

In Malaysia, MPOC’s experience with digital campaigning has been invaluable. A new campaign – Faces of Palm Oil – was supported by MPOC, giving a platform for Malaysia’s small farmers of Palm Oil to express their opposition to the EU plan.

The FacesofPalmOil platform, and expert advice provided by MPOC, has energized a nationwide movement, dominating media debate on the issue, and culminating in a small farmer protest against the EU, in Kuala Lumpur on 16th January.

MPOC’s proactive engagement inside Europe has also led to 57 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) tabling an amendment supporting Malaysian Palm Oil, and opposing the ban. MEPs also spoke in favour of Palm Oil during the European Parliament’s debates on the RED. MPOC’s strategy to engage with European Governments is also critical to the hope of overturning the EU’s planned ban on Palm Oil biofuels.

Dato’ Lee Yeow Chor, Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), said:

“On behalf of the palm oil sector, and especially the 650,000 small farmers, I thank those principled MEPs who agreed with our position that the ban on Palm Oil is unjustified. MPOC looks forward to working with the many friends and supporters that we have in Europe, to continue to oppose this ban and to protect Malaysia’s Palm Oil future.

“MPOC will continue to support Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong in his media campaign in Europe, and we encourage all Malaysians to join with the Faces of Palm Oil campaign online and in the media. We will not rest as long as this unjust ban hangs over the head of our small farmers”

ENDS

Concerning the invasion of northern Iraq by Turkish troops, Gregor Gysi, President of the European Left, declares:

The attack on Kurdish areas in Syria announced for days by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, began with the bombardment of Afrîn in northern Syria.

Erdogan's dangerous and contrary to the international law play on fire will destabilize the entire region again. Not only the Turkish-American relationship but also the relationship with Russia will be burdened.

The actions of the Turkish government clearly show a de-democratization of Turkey, which began with the suppression of oppositional structures and resulted in the use of military force contrary to international law.

It is high time that the European Union an NATO draw consequences. 

Marika Taendler-Walenta

Responsible for communication

Party of the European Left

Square de Meeûs 25

B-1000 Bruxelles

Email: marika.taendler.walenta@european-left.org

Mobile: : (+49) – (0) 177 - 4934418

http://www.european-left.org/

Brussels, 22 January 2018

S&D Euro MPs have warned that the EU will lose credibility if European finance ministers decide to remove half of the non-cooperative jurisdictions tomorrow, just one month after drawing up a blacklist of tax havens.

Slamming the lack of transparency in this decision making process, S&D Group spokesperson for economic and monetary affairs Pervenche Berès stated today:
 
"In December, the EU took the lead in the fight against tax havens by drawing up a list of 17 non-cooperative jurisdictions. It now risks losing a lot of its credibility.
 
"The EU council of finance ministers' plan to remove eight countries from the blacklist of tax havens needs to be publicly accounted for. Among the lucky ones is Panama, the tax jurisdiction that gave us the Panama Papers scandal. It is very hard to understand how a jurisdiction that was blacklisted in December has rehabilitated itself in just one month with no real assessment of the progress they have made in the fight against tax fraud or tax evasion.
 
"We are calling for full transparency. The commitments made by these jurisdictions and those already on the greylist should be made public and thoroughly monitored. The EU must be in the position to assess their implementation before deciding to remove a jurisdiction from the blacklist."