EU countries are required to drastically reduce the use of the most common and polluting plastic bags under new rules voted by Parliament on 28 April 2015.

In 2010 EU citizens used an estimated 198 plastic carrier bags, some 90% of which were lightweight. Binding reduction targets were put in place. EU member states will be able to choose: either to take measures to reduce annual average consumption of plastic bags to 90 lightweight bags per citizen by the end of 2019 or 40 by the end of 2025. Since the end of 2018, no more light plastic bags are given to shoppers free of charge.

#EUelections2019 - Plastics bags

MEPs fought for stronger protection for whistleblowers because in general in Europe there was weak protection. In many countries, whistleblower protection rules tended to be limited in scope.

#EUelections2019  - Whistleblowers

In April 2018, the European Commission adopted a proposal on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the food supply chain.

It stems from the consensus that unfair trading practices occur in the food supply chain, with smaller operators more vulnerable to these practices due to a weaker bargaining power compared to larger operators. The proposal focuses therefore on smaller actors in the food supply chain and aims to protect them from trading practices that are imposed unilaterally. The protection covers small and medium-sized agricultural producers and other SME suppliers in the chain and imposed rules constraining the behaviour of buyers which are not SMEs.

#EUelections2019 - Helping farmers, ending unfair trading practices

By making energy more efficient, Europeans will see their energy bills reduced. In addition, Europe will diminish its reliance on external suppliers of oil and gas, improve local air quality and protect the climate.

By 2030, energy efficiency in the EU must have improved by 32.5%, whereas the share of energy from renewables should make up at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption. Both targets are to be reviewed by 2023. These targets can only be raised, not lowered. Lower energy bills and the right to become a renewable self-consumer will be the result.

#EUelections2019 - Clean energy and energy efficiency

The drinking water directive achieved the update of a list of parameters to monitor drinking water, in line with technical and scientific progress. The vote on this report, adopted on 28 March 2019, closes Parliament’s first reading, which reached its position in October 2018.
Two other aspects include the importance of transparency for citizens and consumers as regards water quality, and the improvement of accessibility to drinking water for everyone.

#EUelections2019 - Drinking water quality

Plans to boost trust in the EU approval procedure of pesticides, by making it more transparent and accountable, were put forward by Parliament on 16 January 2019.

The European Parliament, on 6 February 2018, set up a special committee on the European Union’s authorization procedure for pesticides (PEST). MEPs want the public to be granted access to the studies used in the procedure to authorize a pesticide, including all the supporting data and information relating to the applications.&nbsp; Parliament is of the opinion that vulnerable groups should be more protected.

#EUelections2019 - Use of pesticides in the EU

Internet use and the number of connected devices continue to increase, but so do cyber threats. Parliament has approved new legislation to improve your security.

Activities by cybercriminals are increasing in complexity and sophistication. On Tuesday 12 March 2019, MEPs voted in favour of the cybersecurity act which aims to improve the European response to the increasing number of cyber threats by strengthening the role of the European Agency for Network and Information Security (Enisa) and establishing a common cybersecurity certification framework.

#EUelections2019 - Network and information security / cybersecurity

Trade relations between the EU and US have been rocky since Donald Trump was elected on a platform of protectionism and nationalism. Negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) were stopped until further notice at the end of 2016.

When Trump imposed additional import duties on steel and aluminum imports, MEPs called the move unacceptable and incompatible with WTO rules. Tensions escalated last year when Trump threatened to slap additional tariffs on European cars in the name of national security. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, met Trump to discuss the threat and the two agreed to relaunch trade talks with a limited scope. The EU Council of Ministers adopted draft negotiating mandates in April 2019. Any deal resulting from these talks has to be approved by the European Parliament before it can enter into force.

#EUelections2019 - TTIP

The European treaties have given Parliament a broad range of powers as the EU’s directly-elected body. Together with the representatives of EU governments in the Council, Parliament is responsible for adopting EU legislation. Under the ordinary legislative procedure, both institutions act as equal co-legislators. Parliament and Council have to agree on the annual EU budget.
Equally, the MEPs oversee the work of EU institutions, notably the European Commission, which is the executive arm of the European Union. The European Parliament also cooperates with national parliaments on European affairs.

Take a look at our new videos to find out more!

#EUelections2019 - How does the EP work?

MEPs have approved WIFI4EU, a scheme to promote free wi-fi connectivity in public spaces across the EU.

The objective of the WIFI4EU European initiative is to provide more than 6,000 communities across the EU with free high-speed wi-fi connection by 2020. Access to this initiative is reserved for public entities with spaces open to the public such as libraries, hospitals, parks, train stations and bus terminals. They would receive a grant from the EU to set up free wi-fi connection points.

The initiative boasts a budget of €120 million, which will be allocated to local communities across Europe on a first come, first served basis.

#EUelections2019 - WiFi4EU

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

EP Vice-President Ramon Luis VALCARCEL SISO at the DG COMM stand on the upcoming European Elections - One Year to Go - #EUElections2019

Press seminar for audio-visual media - ' #EUElections2019 - one year to go '

Press seminar for audio-visual media - ' #EUElections2019 - one year to go '- Eurobarometer “One year to the EE19”

Press seminar for audio-visual media - ' #EUElections2019 - one year to go '- Brexit: the role of TVs during the referendum campaign and the EU-UK withdrawal negotiation

Press seminar for audio-visual media - ' #EUElections2019 - one year to go '- Opening session

Press seminar for audio-visual media - ' #EUElections2019 - one year to go '- EE19 Spitzenkandidaten and challenges at stake

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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