To help consumers to make healthier food choices, the European Commission wants producers of foods and drinks to display clear nutritional information on the front-of-pack. But this may not be so simple… Some Member States have already introduced their own labelling schemes to mark “healthy” products but will the EU win the battle at European scale?

EPRS policy podcast - Nutrition labelling schemes used in Member States

The EU has some of the strongest rules on consumer protection in the world! But sometimes, it can be difficult to enforce them… So, what can you do, as European consumer, if you’re not getting value for money? Get to know your rights!

EPRS policy podcast - Enforcement of consumer protection

David Sassoli was born in Florence on May 30, 1956. He started working as a journalist at small newspapers and news agencies, before moving to the editorial office of Il Giorno in Rome, where he worked for seven years. In 1992, he began working as a television news reporter and correspondent for TG3.

Subsequently he worked on news programmes on Rai Uno and Rai Due, before joining the editorial staff of TG1 in 1999 as a special correspondent. Over the next 10 years, he was responsible for managing prime time news broadcasts, and covering major national and international events. In 2007, he became Deputy Director of TG1 and responsible for in-depth programmes TV7 and TG1 Special.

When the Partito Democratico (PD) was formed in 2007, he considered it the right place for his political commitment. On 7 June 2009, he was elected to the European Parliament as a member for central Italy. In the 2009-2014 legislature, he was head of delegation of the Partito Democratico in the European Parliament.

In 2014, he was re-elected as an MEP and was elected Vice-President of the European Parliament, with responsibility for Mediterranean Policy, the budget, and buildings. He was a member of the Committee for Transport and Tourism, and led on European railway reform (4th Railway Package), and the Single European Sky.

In May 2019, he began his third term as an MEP for central Italy and on 3 July, he was elected President of the European Parliament. He passed away on 11 January 2022.&nbsp;

On Wednesday 11th January 2023, the EP payed tribute to David Sassoli´s memory with a ceremony at the European Parliament.

President Sassoli

On certain occasions, David SASSOLI, President of the European Parliament, gives a speech during plenary sessions highlighting the news, a special event or pays tribute to a personality and asks for a minute of silence.

Statements of David SASSOLI, EP President in Plenary

Launched on 20 May 2020, the 'Farm to Fork' strategy put forward the EU’s ambition for making its food system a model of sustainability at all stages of the food value chain.

This strategy is at the heart of the Green Deal. It addresses comprehensively the challenges of sustainable food systems and recognises the inextricable links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet. Ensuring a sustainable livelihood for primary producers, who still lag behind in terms of income, is essential for the success of the recovery and the transition.

The Farm to Fork strategy aims to accelerate our transition to a sustainable food system that should have neutral and positive environmental impact, help mitigate climate change and adapt to its impact. It should also reverse the loss of biodiversity, ensure food security, nutrition and public health, making sure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe nutritious, sustainable food, preserve affordability of food while generating fairer economic returns, fostering competitivness of the EU supply sector and promoting fair trade.

A shift to a sustainable food system can bring environmental, health and social benefits, offer economic gains and ensure that the recovery from the crisis puts us onto a sustainable path.

Farm to fork

This storybook is about a little girl, Anna, who is starting school in a new country and learning the local language through immersion. The audiobook and e-book versions are available in the 24 EU official languages. While the target audience is 3-6 year olds, this storybook could also be useful for older children learning to read, whether in their first EU language or in another one.

<a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/anna-learns-new-language-all-versions_15508_pk">See the other language versions</a>

Anna learns a new language (Polish version)

Anna learns a new language (Spanish version)

Anna learns a new language (Slovenian version)

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.

The European Parliament first sounded the alarm about the problem of violence against women in a resolution of 11 June 1986. Since then, Parliament has played a particularly important role in the field, including through the work of its Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). As of October 2020, it has been signed by all EU Member States, and ratified by 21.

Violence against women (2019-2020)

Election observation is a highly visible demonstration of the European Union's commitment to supporting democracy and promoting human rights around the world.

It contributes to strengthening democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence, especially in fragile, post-conflict or developing regions. It also complements other key EU foreign policy objectives, particularly peace-building.

International election observation

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

Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania, is the eleventh EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EC, on Tuesday morning.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU. Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things:

<ul>
	<li>turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees,</li>
	<li>appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and</li>
	<li>creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.</li>
</ul>

Debate on the Future of Europe with Klaus IOHANNIS, President of Romania

The aim of the proposed regulation on veterinary medicinal products (2014/0257(COD) is to ensure a high level of public health protection, high quality and safety standards and increased availability of veterinary medicinal products, as well as the optimal functioning of the internal market.

The proposal seeks to put in place an up-to-date body of legislation, tailored to the specificities of the veterinary sector; to simplify procedures for obtaining a marketing authorisation, and to review incentives for breakthrough medicines.

Veterinary medicinal products

Bono, U2 singer, co-Founder and Spokesperson of the "ONE" campaign, visits the European Parliament.

Visit of Bono, co-Founder and Spokesperson of the "ONE" campaign, at the EP

Juha SIPILÄ, Finnish Prime Minister, is the sixteenth EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs, in plenary session in Strasbourg.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things: turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees, appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Juha SIPILÄ, Finnish Prime Minister

Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister, is the eighteenth EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs, in plenary session in Strasbourg.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things: turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees, appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister

Between 23 and 26 May, European citizens will be called upon to cast their votes for their representatives in the European Parliament. 
The elections this year coincide with the 40th anniversary of the first elections to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, which were held in June 1979 in the nine countries that were then members of the European Community. The Historical Archives of the European Parliament, guardians of the Parliament’s memory, are celebrating this 40th anniversary by sharing online some of its collection of the institutional electoral posters that were produced between 1979 and 2014 to inform European citizens about the importance of voting.

European elections - Archives of the European Parliament

The European Parliament has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025. Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

On 17 December 2015 the EP decided to set up the Committee of inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS) to investigate in detail alleged breaches and maladministration in relation to emission measurements in the automotive sector. On 4 April 2019, the EMIS final report was discussed and legislation voted and approved during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

#EUelections2019 - Car emissions

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

Plenary session

Last minute session briefing

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs - Monetary Dialogue Preparatory Meeting

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD, rapporteur Isabel WISELER-LIMA, Thijs REUTEN, Sophie IN 'T VELD and Malin BJÖRK, shadow rapporteurs on the rule of law situation in Hungary

#NiceToMeetEU: The perspectives of our Southeast Asian EUVP alumni | Live event with Karsten Lucke MEP and EU Ambassador Igor Driesmans

Meeting of the Delegation to the Cariforum-EU Parliamentary Committee

Committee on Legal Affairs

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

ING2 - AFCO

Debate with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Ingrida ŠIMONYTĖ, Lithuanian Prime Minister, Eduard HEGER, Former Slovak Prime Minister and Kevin BARON, Executive Director "Defense One" at Globsec Security Conference - "Pesky populists: Who is winning the battle of ideas?"

ING2 - AFET

Committee on Regional Development

Delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries

AFET - INTA

Committee on Budgetary Control - Item 11

Committee on Budgetary Control

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the Plenary sitting of the Austrian National Council, Official visit to Vienna (Austria)

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. MEPs debate part 2

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions.

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. Opening statements by Peter KULLGREN, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs and Infrastructure and by Johannes HAHN, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: opening statements by Peter KULLGREN, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs, Johannes HAHN, EU Commissioner for Budget and by Didier REYNDERS, EU Commissioner for Justice

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. Extracts from the debate. The transcription is the result of an automatic process, please check against delivery.

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: extracts from the debate

To provide legal certainty to business and citizens, the Commission has proposed a directive laying down rules on corporate due diligence obligations. According to the new rules, companies will be required to prevent, end or mitigate the negative impact that their activities have on human rights and the environment, such as on child labour, slavery, pollution or biodiversity loss. MEPs debate.

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence: MEPs debate

Four COD LEX texts, are scheduled to be signed on Wednesday 31 May 2023 by President Metsola and Mr Peter Kullgren, Minister for Rural Affairs, on behalf of the Swedish Presidency of the Council : "Markets in Crypto-assets (MiCA); "Fund Transfer Regulation (FTR)"; "Deforestation Regulation"; "Autonomous trade measures applicable to Ukrainian products"

Lex Signing ceremony: signature of Four COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Peter KULLGREN, Minister for Rural Affairs, on behalf of the Swedish Presidency of the Council

MEPs debate on conditions of workers in the textile sector bacause of the occasion of 10 years anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh. Over 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, lost their lives when the factory collapsed in the capital on 24 April 2013.

10 years anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh: one round of political group speakers

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her statement on the occasion of the 10 years anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh. Over 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, lost their lives when the factory collapsed in the capital on 24 April 2013. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

10 years anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh: statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her introductory statement ahead of the plenary session in Brussels: opening remark on the Uganda new anti-LGBTIQ+ law. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the Uganda new anti-LGBTIQ+ law

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her introductory statement ahead of the plenary session in Brussels: opening remarks and a minute of silence on the recent floods in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resumption of session and order of business: opening remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the recent floods in Italy and minute of silence

Georgia applied for EU membership last year but has not yet obtained candidate status, with the necessary political and judicial reforms still pending. Now, Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, visits the European Parliament and gives her address to the MEPs gathered in a formal sitting during the plenary session in Brussels. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Formal sitting: address by Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia

Georgia applied for EU membership last year but has not yet obtained candidate status, with the necessary political and judicial reforms still pending. Now, Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia, visits the European Parliament in Brussels. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, gives her opening statement ahead of the formal sitting. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Formal sitting with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia: introductory remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia is invited to the European Parliament, in Brussels. She first meets with Roberta METSOLA, EP President. The President of Georgia later attends the plenary session for a formal sitting address to members. Extracts from the meeting with EP President and from the formal sitting.

Visit of Salomé ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia to the European Parliament: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President: arrival, welcome and roundtable, extracts from the formal sitting

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (PPE, LU), Thijs REUTEN (S&amp;D, NL), Sophie IN 'T VELD (RE, NL) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) hold a press on the situation in Hungary following the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine the founding values of the EU as enshrined in Article 2 TEU, as well as to address the issue of the "frozen" recovery funds. This transcript is the result of an automatic process. Please check delivery.

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (FR), Rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (LU), Thijs REUTEN (NL), Sophie IN 'T VELD (NL), Malin BJÖRK on breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

A ceremony Has been be held to name the ECR Group meeting room, SPAAK 1A002, in honour of Witold PILECKI, a Polish World War II officer, intelligence agent and resistance fighter who fiercely resisted both Nazism and Communism and whose opposition to totalitarian regimes represents the core values underpinning European integration. Roberta Metsola, EP President attended the ceremony alongside ECR Co-Chairmen Ryszard LEGUTKO, and Mr Marek OSTROWSKI, nephew of Witold PILECKI

EP EbS News Ceremony to mark the naming of the meeting room after Witold PILECKI

To provide legal certainty to business and citizens, the Commission has proposed a directive laying down rules on corporate due diligence obligations. According to the new rules, companies will be required to prevent, end or mitigate the negative impact that their activities have on human rights and the environment, such as on child labour, slavery, pollution or biodiversity loss. Opening statements by Lara WOLTERS (S&amp;D, NL), Rapporteur ; Raphaël GLUCKSMANN (S&amp;D,FR), AFET; Barry ANDREWS (Renew, IE), INTA; René REPASI (S&amp;D,DE), ECON; Samira RAFAELA (Renew, NL), EMPL; Tiemo WÖLKEN (S&amp;D,DE), ENVI; by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Ilan DE BASSO (S&amp;D,SE), DEVE and Deirdre CLUNE (EPP,IE), IMCO. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence: Opening statements by Lara WOLTERS; Raphaël GLUCKSMANN; Barry ANDREWS; René REPASI; Samira RAFAELA; Tiemo WÖLKEN; by Didier REYNDERS, EC for Justice; and by Ilan DE BASSO and and Deirdre CLUNE

During her official visit to Bratislava, in Slovakia, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Ľudovít ÓDOR, Slovakian Interim Prime Minister.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bratislava (Slovakia): meeting with Ľudovít ÓDOR, Slovakian Interim Prime Minister

During her official visit to Bratislava (Slovakia), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with the parents of Ján KUCIAK, Slovakian murderd journalist, before visiting the Ján Kuciak & Martina Kušnírová Memorial for a solemn ceremony.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Bratislava (Slovakia): meeting with the parents of Ján KUCIAK, Slovakian murderd journalist and solemn ceremony at the Ján Kuciak &amp; Martina Kušnírová Memorial

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EPRS policy podcast - Nutrition labelling schemes used in Member States

EPRS policy podcast - Enforcement of consumer protection