At a glance: the vote on the first-ever Soil Monitoring Law; The Hungarian Forum Europaeum wins the 2025 European Charlemagne Youth Prize; an exchange of views on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

News in Brief – 02/06/2025 - English

At a glance: MEPs strengthen protective measures against child sexual abuse; Latvian film ‘Flow’ – one of the nominees for the LUX Audience Award – wins the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Feature; the European Parliament launches a public consultation on rare diseases.

News in Brief – 04/03/2025 - English

At a glance: on the third anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression, the European Parliament stands in solidarity with Ukraine; a delegation from the Subcommittee on Tax Matters will visit Finland and Estonia for talks on tax policy and competitiveness; and the Committee on Public Health is launching public consultations on rare diseases and women’s health.

News in Brief – 24/02/2025 - English

At a glance: the European Parliament is about to start confirmation hearings for candidates for the von der Leyen Commission; members of the Public Health Subcommittee  concluded their visit to the EU Disease Prevention Centre and an EU delegation attended COP16 in Colombia.

News in Brief – 31/10/2024 - English

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in EU countries after cardiovascular diseases. Every year, nearly 3 million people are diagnosed with the disease, and 1.2 million lose their lives to it. Even though responsibility for health policies lies primarily with EU countries, fighting cancer is one of the priorities of the European Union.

Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan

Most rare diseases are incurable. Biosensors are a technology that, driven by continuous advances in artificial intelligence, can help disease detection, lower the cost of novel therapies, replace placebo groups in clinical trials and foster patient-centred, personalised (e)-medicine.

EPRS STOA Podcast - What if biosensors could help treat rare diseases?

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing crises, progress towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 3 ('ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages') is off track globally, and many of its targets may not be achieved by 2030. Within the EU, measures pertaining to SDG 3 focus on achieving more resilient, accessible and inclusive health systems; improving reproductive, maternal and child health; ending major communicable disease epidemics; and reducing non-communicable and mental disorders. They also focus on lowering behavioural and environmental health risk factors.

EPRS policy podcast - The EU's role in promoting health and well-being for all - SDG 3

Quantum technologies could be a game changer in the digital transformation of healthcare. By enabling much faster and more complex data analysis, they could open the door to accelerated discovery and development of novel therapeutics, improved diagnostics and treatments including for rare and complex diseases, true personalised medicine, and better data-driven health policy planning.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if quantum technologies revolutionised healthcare?

Threats to bee health and market competition make the economic viability of apiculture a critical matter.

Profitability is crucial for the sustainability of the apiculture sector. Like other agricultural producers, beekeepers must cope with production and market challenges. When it comes to production, various factors can affect productivity in a eekeeping enterprise. Outbreaks of animal diseases, exposure to chemicals, losses in plant diversity, adverse climatic conditions or the deterioration of bees' natural habitats owing to natural or human factors can all threaten the productive capacity of beehives. These factors can also be among the causes of the bee health problems and high bee mortality rates registered in recent decades.

EU apiculture sector

GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. They are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in order to give it a new property. For example, this could be to make it easier for a plant to resist a disease, insects or drought, or to increase crop productivity.

The EU's GMO legislation stems from 1990 when the first two directives concerning GMOs came into force. Both original directives have since been updated, but the definition of a GMO has remained unchanged. This is causing problems for new techniques developed since then. New plant genetic modification techniques, referred to as 'gene editing' or 'genome editing', have evolved rapidly in recent years, allowing much faster and more precise results than conventional plant-breeding techniques. They are seen as a promising, innovative field for the agri-food industry, offering great technical potential.There is, however, considerable debate as to how these new techniques should be regulated, and whether some or all of them should fall within the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/genetically-modified-organism-8th-parliamentary-term_6504_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Genetically modified organism

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the EU, after cardiovascular diseases. Each year there are 3.5 million new diagnoses; and every year 1.3 million people die from cancer, accounting for 25% of all deaths. If the current trend continues, the projection is that by 2035 cancer cases will have doubled in number, and cancer will have become the leading cause of death in the EU.

Though public health is the primary responsibility of the Member States, the EU has a strong role in supporting, coordinating and complementing Member States’ efforts. On 4 February 2020 – World Cancer Day – the European Commission started its outreach on Europe’s Cancer Plan at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Plan aims to reduce the cancer burden for patients and families, and health care systems. The Plan is ambitious in addressing cancer-related inequalities between and in the Member States. The European Parliament, as law-maker and policy-maker, plays an active role in shaping the new Cancer Plan and related legislative proposals and policy initiatives.

Fight against cancer

Following the lessons learned from the pandemic and as a&nbsp;part of&nbsp;building a European Health Union, the Commission proposed a new health security framework on 11 November 2020. The package includes three pieces of legislation: a&nbsp;stronger role for the European Medicines Agency,&nbsp;extending the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control&nbsp;and a&nbsp;proposal for a regulation on serious cross-border threats to health.

The new legislation aims to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and manage communicable diseases outbreaks.The ECDC will cooperate with the European Commission, national authorities, EU bodies and international organisations to ensure their respective activities are consistent and complement each other.&nbsp;

The new rules concerning cross-border threats include improved prevention, preparedness and response planning at EU and national levels. The Commission will be able to formally recognise a public health emergency at EU level, which would trigger stronger intra-EU cooperation and allow for the timely development and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

EU countries hold primary responsibility for organising and delivering health services and medical care. EU health policy therefore serves to complement national policies, and to ensure health protection in all EU policies.&nbsp; EU policies and actions in public health aim to protect and improve the health of EU citizens, support the modernisation of health infrastructure, improve the efficiency of Europe's health systems.

The Committee for Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety ENVI is Parliament’s main actor on health matters and is responsible for over 10% of Parliament´s total legislative activity.

EU health policy

On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss the EU's response to the mpox outbreak and the need for ongoing action with the European Commission. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and nearby regions a "public health emergency of international concern" on August 14, 2024. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a risk assessment on August 16, stating that the overall risk to Europe's general population is low. Currently, the EU has one antiviral treatment and one vaccine authorized for mpox. The Commission, through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, is managing vaccine procurement and donation to affected African countries. MEPs are expected to urge a coordinated EU response to contain the outbreak in Africa and prevent the virus from spreading to Europe.

EU response to the Mpox outbreak and the need for continuous action

EP Plenary session - EU action on treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular neurological diseases and measles

Rare diseases, though seldom recognised and frequently misdiagnosed, affect approximately 36 million people in the EU. Despite their significant collective prevalence, patients with rare diseases are often overlooked by healthcare systems, facing challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and access to advances in research. Researchers are increasingly using networks to share their findings and make better progress, giving new hope to patients.

Rare Diseases: Advances in research give patients new hope

Together for Rare Diseases Policy Asks Launch: A new model for collaboration to address areas of unmet need in rare diseases

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of Parliament 

Composition of committees and delegations

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79): see Minutes

Order of business

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Serious cross-border threats to health (debate)

Momentum for the Ocean: strengthening Ocean Governance and Biodiversity

Striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture: the way forward (debate)

Impact of new technologies on taxation: crypto and blockchain (debate)

The EU's actions in the field of freedom of religion or belief worldwide (debate)

Management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Area of Competence (short presentation)

Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE) (short presentation)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and agenda of the next sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Opening of the sitting

Announcement of voting results: see Minutes

Transparency and administrative standards - the treatment of public access requests based on Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 (debate)

First voting session

Transparency and administrative standards - the treatment of public access requests based on Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 (continuation of debate)

The need for an ambitious EU Strategy for sustainable textiles

The situation of journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico

Myanmar, one year after the coup

Destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno-Karabakh

Calendar of part-sessions

Announcement of voting results

Resumption of the sitting

Second voting session

A systematic EU approach to chronic kidney disease (debate)

Resumption of the sitting


Approval of the minutes of the part-session and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings


Closure of the sitting 

Adjournment of the session : see Minutes

Outcome of the COP26 in Glasgow

Statement by the President 

Voting session

The EU's Role in Combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World

The EU&#39;s Role in Combatting the Covid-19 Pandemic: How to Vaccinate the World (continuation of debate)

Request for the waiver of a Member’s immunity (resumption of procedure)

Fundamental rights and the rule of law in Slovenia, in particular the delayed nomination of EPPO prosecutors (debate)

A European Action Plan Against Rare Diseases (debate)

Presentation of the Court of Auditors&#39; annual report 2020 (debate)

Agenda of the next sitting 

Joint debate - Health and disease prevention

Resumption of the session 

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings 

Request for waiver of immunity: see Minutes

Composition of political groups 

Composition of committees and delegations 

Council positions at first reading

Negotiations ahead of Parliament&#39;s first reading (Rule 71): see Minutes

Calendar of part-sessions 

Order of business: see Minutes

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Serious cross-border threats to health

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Serious cross-border threats to health (continuation of debate)

Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development (debate)

Fishers for the future (short presentation)

Towards future-proof inland waterway transport in Europe (short presentation)

Towards a stronger partnership with the EU outermost regions (short presentation)

A new approach to the Atlantic maritime strategy (short presentation)

Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes

EP Plenary session - European Action Plan on Rare Diseases

ENVI - Exchange of views with the Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the EU emergency response actions to the outbreak of mpox

ENVI Committee - Hearing of the candidate for the function of the Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

ENVI - Exchange of views with Dr Andrea AMMON, Director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

COVI Special Committee - Exchange of views with European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) on COVID-19 pandemic

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the outbreak of monkeypox

EP Plenary session - A systematic EU approach to chronic kidney disease

EP Plenary Session.- A European Action Plan Against Rare Diseases

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) takes place every 17th May. IDAHOBIT commemorates the decision taken in 1990 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases. This infoclip illustrates the importance to still fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ people across Europe and around the world. It stages different same-sex couples in their daily-life routines, a protest to defend the LGBTQIA+ community in Hungary and a famous queer bar in Ireland.

Infoclip: Safeguarding LGBTQIA+ rights

In the EU, 1.8 million people under 75 died in 2021. 72 % of these deaths could have been avoided: 3 in 10 with timely, effective medical treatment; 7 in 10 with better preventive measures. In that same year, the leading causes of avoidable deaths were COVID-19, ischaemic heart diseases and lung cancer. These three diseases mostly affected men. The death rate from avoidable diseases also varies widely across the EU. Learn more about how the EU can turn the tide on preventable losses and create a healthier EU for everyone

Turning the tide on avoidable deaths in the EU

MEPs debate on EU response to the Mpox outbreak and the need for continuous action. MEPs discuss the EU's response to the mpox outbreak and the need for ongoing action with the European Commission. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and nearby regions a "public health emergency of international concern" on August 14, 2024. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a risk assessment on August 16, stating that the overall risk to Europe's general population is low. Currently, the EU has one antiviral treatment and one vaccine authorized for mpox. The Commission, through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, is managing vaccine procurement and donation to affected African countries. MEPs are expected to urge a coordinated EU response to contain the outbreak in Africa and prevent the virus from spreading to Europe.

EU response to the Mpox outbreak and the need for continuous action: MEPs debate

MEPs vote on the following topics: Reinhard Bütikofer (AFET A9-0373/2023) - EU-Japan relations; María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (AFET A9-0371/2023) - The situation of children deprived of liberty in the world; Barry Andrews (DEVE A9-0322/2023) - Role of EU development policy in transforming the extractive industries for sustainable development in developing countries; György Hölvényi (DEVE A9-0338/2023) - EU development cooperation to enhance access to education and training in developing countries; Erik Poulsen (ENVI A9-0366/2023) - Non-communicable diseases; Tomislav Sokol, Annalisa Tardino (ENVI/LIBE A9-0395/2023) - European Health Data Space; Victor Negrescu (AFCO A9-0384/2023) - Implementation of the Treaty provisions on special legislative procedures; Objection to a delegated act pursuant to Rule 111(3); Motions for resolutions - 30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy.

The new subcommittee on public health (SANT) elected MEP Bartosz Arłukowicz as Chair, as well as the four Vice-Chairs, at its constitutive meeting, Chair: Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL), First Vice-Chair: Tudor CIUHODARU (S&D, RO), Second Vice-Chair: Irena JOVEVA (Renew Europe, SI), Third Vice-Chair: Tilly METZ (Greens/EFA), Fourth Vice-Chair: - Joanna KOPCIŃSKA (ECR, PL). According to its approved mandate, the subcommittee will deal with pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, the health aspects of bioterrorism, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

New Subcommittee on Public Health (SANT): extracts from the constitutive meeting, election of the Chair and statement by Bartosz ARŁUKOWICZ (EPP, PL) new elected Chair

Many rare diseases manifest themselves in childhood, resulting in a shortened lifespan and leading to a dependency on care throughout the patients’ lives, causing significant suffering to the patients and their families. Patients affected by rare diseases often spend years enduring a “diagnostic odyssey” before receiving the correct diagnosis, if ever. Most rare diseases lack effective treatments representing an enormous unmet medical need. EU research and innovation is crucial to accelerate the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - 5 facts about rare diseases

By extending the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the EU aims to be better prepared and able to coordinate its response to possible future health crises. This means increased cooperation between EU, national and international bodies, collection of timely and comparable EU-wide data, as well as monitoring national health systems more closely to assess their capacity to tackle outbreaks.

European Health Union: extracts from the joint debate, the vote and statement by Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), rapporteur

Voting session on the following items: Slot utilisation rules at Union airports; European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control; Striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture; The impact of new technologies on taxation: crypto and blockchain; Management, conservation and control measures applicable in the Indian Ocean Tuna; Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE); Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices; Accessible EU Centre in support of accessibility policies in the EU internal market; EU Customs Single Window; Statistics on agricultural input and output; Amending Annexes IV and V to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants.

Votes including Radio Equipment Directive: common charger for electronic devices

MEPs debate on the provisional agreements to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent and control communicable diseases and tackle cross-border health threats. Closing statements by Joanna KOPCIŃSKA (ECR, PL) and Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health.

European Health Union: closing statements by Joanna KOPCIŃSKA (ECR, PL), Véronique TRILLET-LENOIR (Renew, FR), Rapporteurs and by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health

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