<p>Virginijus Sinkevičius, born on 4 November 1990 in Vilnius, is a Lithuanian politician. Commissioner-designate for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.</p>

<p>After the hearing by the Committee on Fisheries (PECH) and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament, the committees prepare an evaluation letter on the candidate.</p>

Hearing of Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, Commissioner-designate

Public Hearing of the High-Level Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of the War in Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Packaging and packaging waste

Trilogue on Environmental Crimes

Agreement between EP and Council on the Nature Restoration Act

ENVI Extraordinary meeting - Report back on ongoing interinstitutional negotiations

Parliament adopts its negotiating position on new rules promoting the right to repair and more sustainable consumption of consumer goods. MEPs debate on draft legislation to make it easier for consumers to repair defective goods even after the expiration of the guarantee. The proposal complements other ongoing EU initiatives that pursue the European Green Deal objective of sustainable consumption and the circular economy. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur.

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: closing statements by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur, and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner on Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

Parliament adopts its negotiating position on new rules promoting the right to repair and more sustainable consumption of consumer goods. MEPs debate on draft legislation to make it easier for consumers to repair defective goods even after the expiration of the guarantee. The proposal complements other ongoing EU initiatives that pursue the European Green Deal objective of sustainable consumption and the circular economy. Opening statements by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur, Sunčana GLAVAK (EPP, HR), and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Common rules promoting the repair of goods: opening statements by René REPASI (S&D, DE), Rapporteur, Sunčana GLAVAK (EPP, HR), and Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

MEPs debate on new rules to incentivise EU countries to jointly procure defence products and support the EU’s defence industry. The new regulation, already agreed with member states, establishes a short-term instrument to boost the European defence industry through common procurement (EDIRPA) through to 2025. The tool should help member states address their most urgent and critical defence needs, especially those which have been exacerbated by the transfer of defence products to Ukraine, in a voluntary and collaborative way. Opening statement by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs, Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Karlo RESSLER (EPP, HR), Rapporteur for BUDG. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA): opening statement by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs, Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment

The draft text, adopted by the Environment Committee in June 2023, sets stricter 2030 limits and target values for several pollutants relative to the original Commission proposal to ensure that air quality in the EU is not harmful to human health, natural ecosystems and biodiversity. MEPs also want to increase the number of air quality sampling points and harmonise currently-fragmented and unintuitive air quality indices to provide better information to citizens about local air pollution. MEPs debate and vote on Wednesday on new rules to improve EU air quality for a cleaner and healthier environment. Extracts from the debate (12/09); extracts from the vote (13/09); and statement by Javi López (S&D, ES), Rapporteur.

Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe: extracts from the debate (12/09); extracts from the vote (13/09); and statement by Javi López (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on new rules to improve EU air quality for a cleaner and healthier environment. In October 2022, the Commission proposed a revision of the EU air quality rules with more ambitious targets for 2030 to achieve the zero pollution objective by 2050 in line with the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan. The draft text, adopted by the Environment Committee in June 2023, sets stricter 2030 limits and target values for several pollutants relative to the original Commission proposal to ensure that air quality in the EU is not harmful to human health, natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Javi LOPEZ (S&D, ES), Rapporteur.

Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe: closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Javi LOPEZ (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on new rules to improve EU air quality for a cleaner and healthier environment. In October 2022, the Commission proposed a revision of the EU air quality rules with more ambitious targets for 2030 to achieve the zero pollution objective by 2050 in line with the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan. The draft text, adopted by the Environment Committee in June 2023, sets stricter 2030 limits and target values for several pollutants relative to the original Commission proposal to ensure that air quality in the EU is not harmful to human health, natural ecosystems and biodiversity. Opening statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Javi LOPEZ (S&D, ES), Rapporteur. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe: opening statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Javi López (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on new rules to incentivise EU countries to jointly procure defence products and support the EU’s defence industry. The new regulation, already agreed with member states, establishes a short-term instrument to boost the European defence industry through common procurement (EDIRPA) through to 2025. The tool should help member states address their most urgent and critical defence needs, especially those which have been exacerbated by the transfer of defence products to Ukraine, in a voluntary and collaborative way. Closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL)

European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA): closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL)

MEPs debate on a law that would contribute to the long-term recovery of damaged nature across the EU’s land and sea areas and to achieve EU climate and biodiversity objectives. As there was no majority in the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in favour of the EU nature restoration law as amended, the Committee has tabled to plenary the proposal to reject the Commission’s proposal. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and César LUENA (S&D, ES), Rapporteur.

Key debate - Nature restoration: closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment and César LUENA (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on a law that would contribute to the long-term recovery of damaged nature across the EU’s land and sea areas and to achieve EU climate and biodiversity objectives. As there was no majority in the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety in favour of the EU nature restoration law as amended, the Committee has tabled to plenary the proposal to reject the Commission’s proposal. Opening statement by César LUENA (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, Anne SANDER (EPP, FR), Caroline ROOSE (Greens/EFA, FR), and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. The transcript if the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Key debate - Nature restoration: opening statements by César LUENA (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, Anne SANDER (EPP, FR), Caroline ROOSE (Greens/EFA, FR) and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment

Parliament gives its final green light to updated rules for the design, production and waste management of all types of batteries sold in the EU. The deal reached with the Council in December 2022 aims to build a stronger and more competitive industrial sector, which is crucial for the EU’s energy transition and for strategic autonomy. It introduces stronger requirements to make batteries more sustainable, more durable and better-performing, as well as including more stringent targets for waste collection, recycling efficiency and material recovery. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT), Rapporteur.

Batteries and waste batteries: closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment and by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT) , Rapporteur

The EU Parliament gives its final green light to updated rules for the design, production and waste management of all types of batteries sold in the EU. The deal reached with the Council in December 2022 aims to build a stronger and more competitive industrial sector, which is crucial for the EU’s energy transition and for strategic autonomy. It introduces stronger requirements to make batteries more sustainable, more durable and better-performing, as well as including more stringent targets for waste collection, recycling efficiency and material recovery. Opening statements by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT), Rapporteur, Patrizia TOIA (S&D, IT), ITRE Committee; Antonius MANDERS (EPP, NL), IMCO Committee; Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Erik BERGKVIST (S&D, SE), TRAN Committee. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Batteries and waste batteries: opening statement by Achille VARIATI (S&D, IT), Rapporteur, Patrizia TOIA (S&D, IT), Antonius MANDERS (EPP, NL), Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment and by Erik BERGKVIST (S&D, SE)

MEPs debate a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for the end of trade in shark and ray fins in the EU. Closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade": closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment

MEPs debate a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for the end of trade in shark and ray fins in the EU. Opening statements by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA,NL), ENVI and Asger CHRISTENSEN (Renew, DK), FISH and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade": opening statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), and by Asger CHRISTENSEN (Renew, DK)

Plenary debates a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) calling for the end of trade in shark and ray fins in the EU. The European Citizens' Initiative “Stop Finning - Stop the Trade” gathered the support of over 1.1 million signatures with the minimum threshold reached in 15 member states. Extracts from the debate. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

European Citizens' Initiative "Stop Finning – Stop the trade": extracts from the debate

MEP looks back at a year marked by Russia’s assault on Ukraine and set out what the EU must do in support of Kyiv. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World.

Key debate - One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine - Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Josep BORRELL, High Representative for Foreign Affairs

MEPs debate on its negotiating position for talks with EU governments on a new law to reform EU procedures and control measures for waste shipments. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Pernille WEISS (EPP, DK), Rapporteur

Shipments of waste: closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and by Pernille WEISS (EPP, DK), Rapporteur

Parliament debate on its negotiating position for talks with EU governments on a new law to reform EU procedures and control measures for waste shipments. Opening statements by Pernille WEISS (EPP, DK), Rapporteur and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries.

Shipments of waste: opening statements by Pernille WEISS (EPP, DK), Rapporteur and by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

MEPs, Council and Commission meet to try to reach a deal on the regulation for deforestation-free products. The new law would make it obligatory for companies to verify (so-called “due diligence”) that goods sold in the EU have not been produced on deforested land anywhere in the world. This would guarantee to consumers that the products they buy do not contribute to deforestation and reduce the EU’s contribution to climate change and biodiversity loss

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Public Hearing of the High-Level Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of the War in Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Packaging and packaging waste

Trilogue on Environmental Crimes

Agreement between EP and Council on the Nature Restoration Act

ENVI Extraordinary meeting - Report back on ongoing interinstitutional negotiations