The lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Frans Timmermans, 57, was nominated by the members’ congress in Lisbon on 7-8 December 2018.

Frans TIMMERMANS (PvdA, Netherlands) currently serves as First Vice-President of the European Commission. He was first elected to the second chamber of the Dutch Parliament in 1998. From 2007 to 2010 he served as Secretary of State for European Affairs, and from 2012 to 2014 as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mark Rutte’s cabinet. Mr Timmermans holds a degree in French language and literature from Radboud University.

#EUelections2019 - Frans TIMMERMANS, lead candidate for the PES

The European Parliament 's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is responsible for food safety issues, including the labelling and safety of foodstuffs, veterinary legislation safeguarding against risks to human health, and public health checks on foodstuffs and food production systems.

Parliament is also particularly vigilant with regard to threats to consumer health related to cloned animals and nanomaterials or GMOs. It scrutinises and regularly opposes draft proposals for authorisation or renewal of new genetically modified plants such as maize or soya beans. In order to ensure greater transparency throughout the food chain and to better inform European consumers, Parliament, in a resolution adopted in May 2016, reiterated its call on the Commission to present legislative proposals for the mandatory indication of the origin of, in particular, meat used as an ingredient in processed foods. This should restore consumer confidence in the wake of the horsemeat scandal and other food fraud cases. In 2017, Parliament and Council agreed upon new rules to tighten up official food inspections aimed at improving food traceability and combating fraud. During the negotiations, Parliament managed to strengthen enforcement in relation to fraudulent or deceptive practices.

#EUelections2019 - Food safety

The European Parliament works to ensure that its legislative and non-legislative work respects, promotes and safeguards the rights of the child and advances children’s lives both within the EU and in relation to the outside world.

The EU school fruit, vegetable and milk scheme lasts throughout the school year in the participating EU countries.

Aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among children, the EU school scheme includes the distribution of fruit, vegetables and milk products, as well as dedicated educational programmes to teach pupils about the importance of good nutrition and to explain how food is produced.

#EUelections2019 - Children’s rights

Creatives and news publishers will be empowered to negotiate with internet giants thanks to new copyright rules which also contain safeguards on freedom of expression.

In March 2019 MEPs adopted by 348 votes in favour, 274 against and 36 abstentions a new directive on Copyright. This marks the end of the legislative process for the European Parliament that began in 2016. The directive aims to ensure that the longstanding rights and obligations of copyright law also apply to the internet. YouTube, Facebook and Google News are some of the internet household names that will be most directly affected by this legislation. The directive also strives to ensure that the internet remains a space for freedom of expression.

#EUelections2019 - Copyright

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate - Press statement by Nico CUÉ for the Party of the European Left (EL) - #EUelections2019

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate  - Press statement by Nico CUÉ for the Party of the European Left (EL) - #EUelections2019

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate  - Press statement by - Ska KELLER for the Green Party (EGP) - #EUelections2019

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate  - Press statement by- Margrethe VESTAGER, for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) - #EUelections2019

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate  - Press statement byJan ZAHRADIL, for the Reformists Alliance of Europe (ACRE) - #EUelections2019

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate  - Press statement by Frans TIMMERMANS for the Party of European Socialists (ACRE) - #EUelections2019

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate  - Press statement by Manfred WEBER for the European People's Party (EPP) - #EUelections2019

Candidates for the Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate - Press statement - EUelections2019.

EP Press Seminar #EUelections2019 - ' Choose your Future ': exchange of views with Antonio TAJANI, EP President

DG COMM brochure on the upcoming European Elections - One Year to Go - #EUElections2019

Antonio TAJANI, EP President, participates in an exchange of views during the EP Press Seminar #EUelections2019 entitled "Choose your Future".

EP Press Seminar #EUelections2019 - "Choose your Future": extracts from the exchange of views with Antonio TAJANI, EP President

The European Parliament is holding in Brussels a seminar for senior staff of television outlets of all Member States. The seminar is entitled #EUelections2019 - "Choose your Future".

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