Transatlantic News

Transatlantic News

Chapter News

Breakthrough in discussions on patent law and plant breeders’ rights

The European Commission wants to offer clarity and legal certainty about patenting the natural traits of vegetables and other plants through further interpretation of the biotech directive. This was announced by European Commissioner for the Internal Market Elżbieta Bieńkowska at the symposium ‘Finding the Balance’ in Brussels, organised by Minister for Agriculture Martijn van Dam in the context of the Netherlands EU Presidency. Breakthrough ‘This is a definite breakthrough in the discussion on patent law and plant breeders’ rights,’ the minister...
Chapter News, Trade & TTIP Related

EU ministers discuss future of Common Agricultural Policy

Dutch Minister for Agriculture Martijn van Dam will be hosting a two-day informal meeting of the Agriculture Council on 30 and 31 May. The meeting, which will be held in Amsterdam and the Eindhoven region during the Netherlands EU Presidency, will be attended by all EU agriculture ministers. The meeting’s central theme will be ‘Food of the future – the future of food’, focusing on innovation and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Food to be On Monday 30...
Chapter News, New York Related News

Applications now open: Global Business Exchange NYC-Milan

Exchange Ideas. Exchange Resources. Exchange Success. At the World Trade Week Awards Breakfast last week, NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer announced the opening of applications for the NYCEDC Global Business Exchange (GBX) — Milan. The Global Business Exchange, in partnership with the City of Milan, will build on the successes of the first iteration with Paris to link New York City-based startups with cities across the world and attract top-notch business and talent to New York City. Click here to apply. Up to ten companies from each...
Chapter News

Commission awards exemplary projects protecting nature across Europe

Commissioner Vella announced the winners of the 2016 Natura 2000 Awards. The six winners include projects from Bulgaria, Latvia, Spain, the United Kingdom and cross-border projects from Belgium, France, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland and Norway. The annual Natura 2000 Awards recognise conservation achievements across the EU and raise awareness about initiatives that protect nature across Europe, benefiting citizens' quality of life as well as the economy on which their prosperity depends. Natura 2000 is a network of over 27 000 protected...
Chapter News

Safeguarding your privacy: MEPs scrutinise new data protection agreement with US

Data on your online activities - from social media to shopping - is regularly sold to American advertisers. Strong data protection standards are in place in the EU to protect your privacy, but this is not the case in the US. The EU is now negotiating a new agreement with the US called Privacy Shield to safeguard your data. MEPs debate whether this deal will offer enough protection in plenary on Wednesday 25 May. Read on for an explanation...
Chapter News

Anti-tax avoidance: MEPs call for minimum corporate tax rate of 15%

The European Commission's proposal for an EU anti-tax avoidance directive was welcomed by Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in a resolution voted on Tuesday. MEPs nonetheless advocated stricter limits on deductions for interest payments and an effective corporate tax rate of 15%. The committee approved its text by 20 votes to 15, with 21 abstentions. This outcome was closer than expected because at the last minute - during the voting - the EPP group decided to vote blank due...
Chapter News, New York Related News

IN2NYC Applications Now Available Online

Applications for the IN2NYC program are now available on the program website. The following schools are currently accepting applications: • City College • LaGuardia Community College • Medgar Evers College • Queens College • College of Staten Island Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the application deadline on July 29, 2016. Visit the website to learn more about the program and apply.
Chapter News

Commission releases the 2016 “European Digital Single Market Progress Report”

The European Commission has just released a report on digital progress in the EU. The analysis shows that Member States are at very different stages in the development of the digital economy; some, for example, such as the Nordic countries, are among the most advanced in the world, whilst other still have a lot of catching up to do. Europe's Digital Progress Report (EDPR) presents a set of horizontal chapters analysing developments in five different aspects (connectivity, digital skills, use...

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