The Commission will consider the report's recommendations and an appropriate policy response in line with its continuous support to the agricultural sector. The Agricultural Markets Task Force (AMTF), chaired by former Dutch Minister for Agriculture and University Professor, Cees Veerman, today presented its report to EU Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, Phil Hogan. The establishment of the Task Force, made up of twelve independent experts, reflected increased concern regarding global developments in the food supply chain and, in particular, the...

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According to pilots conducted in Finland, Sweden and Denmark, eHealth through the use of broadband networks creates a better quality of life for patients, efficient work processes for care professionals, a valuable experience for the industry, and cost savings for municipalities. But how can you deploy this? A European project group formulated six recommendations. The recommendations are aimed at supporting policy makers as well as other stakeholders who plan to establish or expand their Fibre to the Home (FTTH) networks...

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The global ocean economy is estimated at €1.3 trillion. Climate change, poverty and food security are some of the global challenges that can be effectively addressed, if oceans are better protected and sustainably managed. The Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted a Joint Communication today, proposing actions for safe, secure, clean and sustainably managed oceans. As a strong global actor, the European Union sets out an agenda for better ocean governance based on a...

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First of all: The results of the US election are in, and the next President of the United States will be Donald Trump. As Presidents Juncker and Tusk wrote in a letter to the President-Elect this morning - "we should spare no effort to ensure that the ties that bind us remain strong and durable." Meanwhile, our work in other areas continues. Today, the Commission is presenting a proposal for a new method for calculating dumping. The economies of the...

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The EU is a firm supporter of the circular economy—the practice of “closing the loop” of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use. As part of its efforts to incentivize this behavior, the EU presents the European Business Awards for the Environment to companies that exemplify both competitiveness and respect for the environment. The 2016-2017 awards, announced in late October, recognized six winners from the pool of 148 companies from 21 European countries that competed for the award.  “Companies competing...

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EU 2017: WE WILL RISE TO THE OCCASION Nobody can deny that 2016 has been a difficult year for Europe. When I addressed the Council of American Ambassadors back in May, the focus of my speech was Europe’s response to the refugee crisis. Since then, many things have happened on the world scene, including a referendum on EU membership in the United Kingdom with the outcome we all know. This may sound like a gloomy time to ponder Europe’s future, particularly...

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Economic growth in Europe is expected to continue at a moderate pace, as recent labour market gains and rising private consumption are being counterbalanced by a number of hindrances to growth and the weakening of supportive factors. In its autumn forecast released today, the European Commission expects GDP growth in the euro area at 1.7% in 2016, 1.5% in 2017 and 1.7% in 2018 (Spring forecast: 2016: 1.6%, 2017: 1.8%). GDP growth in the EU as a whole should...

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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced the winners of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) 2016 University Center Economic Development Program Competition. EDA is providing a total of $2,518,373 in grants to 24 colleges and universities in 16 states and Puerto Rico to run five-year programs that will leverage university assets to promote American innovation and strengthen regional economies. “EDA’s University Center program marshals the resources located within colleges and universities to support economic development strategies in regions...

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To help farmers to cope with volatile prices, the EU must develop new risk and crisis management tools and strengthen their bargaining position in the food supply chain, says a non-legislative resolution voted in the Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. The supply chain should be made more transparent and the EU budget more flexible, so that funds can be deployed faster to tackle crises, add MEPs. “I am really happy with the result of the vote. We are paving the way...

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So the day is finally here. Today, we are signing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade agreement at the summit between the EU and Canada. This agreement is an important achievement, for many reasons. First of all, it clearly demonstrates that when Europe comes together, we can shape globalisation according to our values and our standards. We reached an agreement on the EU side after some tumultuous discussions. Sometimes we need to make things a bit complicated first, in order to...

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