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Gerardo Fortuna

Health news

Exclusive: Commission eyes Biotech Act to boost bloc’s life science sector

The EU executive is to announce new measures, including establishing a Biotech Hub, paving the way for a legislative initiative designed to ease biomanufacturing approvals across the bloc, according to a leaked document seen by Euronews.

Health news

Deal on landmark health data space clinched in the eleventh hour

European lawmakers agreed on a pioneering bill easing exchange and access to personal health data across the EU – with some privacy safeguards on data sharing to non-medical third parties.

Health news

Parliament approach to IP rights amid health crises raises critics

An EU-wide mechanism to override IP rights to deliver live-saving medicines during crises will prove tricky to enforce if amendments proposed by MEPs are retained, intellectual property rights experts warn.

Green News

Commission to kill CAP's green farming obligations

The EU executive is set to change the current farming subsidies framework, demoting green requirements from mandatory to voluntary.

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Health news

Lawmakers call for extra time to iron out wrinkles on health data

Differences over patients’ right to opt out of health data transmission to third parties scuppered all-night talks on the last health file of the term.

Tech News

Court ruling casts doubt on bloc’s standards bodies' funding

A landmark ruling by the EU’s top court could put a brake on lucrative business for private standardisation entities across Europe.

Nature

Bloc expert group to stop plant pests crossing borders

Lawmakers revising EU plant health framework agree to create emergency team to tackle import of foreign pests.

Europe News

India’s unrealistic demands sank WTO agri talks, claims commissioner

EU executive blamed India’s hard stance on food stockpiling for lack of breakthrough at World Trade Organisation’s biennial agriculture ministerial.

Health news

Right-wing alliance derails obligatory check-up plans for driving licence renewal

Conservative and centre-right lawmakers teamed up against an attempt to make health checks mandatory for the renewal of driving permits across the EU.

Climate

Ministers pave way to reopen CAP – and make it less green

Agricultural ministers meeting in Brussels today (26 February) backed the idea of reopening the EU’s farming subsidies scheme starting by dismantling its green architecture.

Health news

MEPs greenlight health budget cuts, with deferral

Lawmakers were only able to exercise damage limitation on EU leaders' proposal to sacrifice one-fifth of the bloc’s health funds in support of Ukraine, pushing back attempts to overturn cuts to the next term.

Europe News

Commission touts subsidy simplification measures to soothe farmers’ ire

A range of short and medium-term actions have been identified by the EU executive to ease the administrative burden on farmers – a major cause of discontent.

Europe News

WTO sides with bloc against US tariffs on Spanish olives

A final report from the World Trade Organization (WTO) marked a significant win for the EU in its ongoing dispute with the US on Spanish black olives.

Health news

Bloc mulls ‘pooled sovereignty’ to exploit bioscience's untapped potential

A common European approach to attract capital and reduce regulatory red tape is envisaged by key policymakers to boost the bloc’s market for biotechnologies.

Europe Decoded

Over half of von der Leyen’s food policy promises weren’t met, analysis shows

Repeated delays and a farmer-led green policy backlash have left the flagship “Farm to Fork” strategy in doubt.

Health news

Lawmakers agree to ban mercury-based filling for cavities by 2025

EU seeks mercury-free environment by phasing out dental amalgam, the largest remaining use of the toxic metal in the continent.

Healthcare

First European disability card coming, slowly

Lawmakers struck a deal on an EU-wide standardised disability card which will allow people with disabilities to enjoy the same benefits and facilities in public and private services throughout Europe – but it will not come into effect within three and a half years.

Health news

Commission forges plan for European biopharma leadership – leak

The EU executive is drafting a strategy designating biotech critical to the continent’s strategic autonomy, a leaked document seen by Euronews shows.

Green News

No plans to fix cows with anti-belch masks, says Commissioner

Bloc’s agriculture commissioner reassured a concerned MEP that the EU executive is not mulling mandatory methane reduction masks for cattle, as touted by right-wing media.

Europe News

Von der Leyen sings ode to farmers, promises action to appease protests

Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen met with farmers’ representatives at the end of the EU summit promising new upcoming initiatives in a bid to douse flames after a day of protests in Brussels.

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