MEPs review the outgoing Danish EU Presidency, new animal welfare framework legislation is close to approval and Europe’s public information network gets a boost.

Danish Presidency / Animal welfare / EU information network

A thumbs up for the just-finished Danish  Presidency of the EU from many quarters

for its navigation especially of key initiatives  through the heat of the eurozone crisis.

Like preparations  for the EU’s long term budget.

The Danish Presidency had big successes,  above all in the area of energy efficiency.

I would particularly like to highlight  the energy efficiency directive.

Of course we wanted to have more.  They wanted to have more.

But even though some countries were  impeding it, this was a big step forward.

There have been great strides in  improving animal welfare in recent years.

But a lack of compliance to and  enforcement of a bewildering array of laws

has meant it’s not been  as effective as it might.

MEPs hope to change that  with a vote on Wednesday

on a four year strategy for the protection  and welfare of all animals in captivity.

That’s mostly farms, but it also includes  zoos, homes and laboratories.

Both the farmers’ union and all the  animal welfare groups have agreed with it.

We have found the compromise that  more or less everyone can stand behind.

Got a question about the EU?  Moving? Retiring?

Looking for a new qualification or a chance  to tackle the EU on a particular issue?

It’s likely Europe Direct has the answer.

There are almost 500 drop-in information  centres like this around the EU,

Now they’re getting a boost with  a new memorandum of understanding

designed to improve outreach  and stimulate public involvement.

Just in time for the 2014  parliamentary elections.