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A weekly newsletter from the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland

3 March 2005

EU launches new anti-smoking campaign

EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, Markos Kyprianou, has launched a new €72 million EU anti-smoking campaign, which will be aimed mainly at young people. The campaign slogan "HELP: For a Life without Tobacco" was unveiled on a giant inflatable structure which will tour all 25 EU capitals and will be followed by a "HELP" TV and cinema advertising campaign. Commissioner Kyprianou said: "The sickness and death caused by smoking costs EU countries €100 billion a year. Prevention and information campaigns like "HELP" are an investment in a healthier and more prosperous future for our citizens. As well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles to young people, the campaign will also highlight the dangers of passive smoking and support the trend towards tobacco-free public places." The Commission has earmarked a budget of €72 million for the new campaign which will run until 2008.

[IP/05/225]

New poll reveals support for changes to CAP

The latest Eurobarometer opinion poll indicates that some two thirds of European Union citizens support the recent shift in spending under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In the first such survey to be carried out in the EU of 25 Member States, there was strong support for the move away from production support towards direct aid to farmers and greater assistance to the overall rural economy. The poll reveals that people in Europe are, in general, satisfied with the CAP reforms and the move towards a more cost effective and market-orientated system that benefits both consumers and farmers. According to the poll, there has been an increase in support for the CAP in countries of the EU-15, including a 6% rise in the UK. The survey questioned 25,000 people in the 25 Member States. Click here for the full report.

[IP/05/239]

Commission to consult on EU maritime policy

The European Commission has announced that it is to launch a consultation process on a future maritime policy for the EU. The communication, which was presented jointly by President José Manuel Barroso and Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, says that the contribution that the sea makes to livelihoods and well-being is considerable as is the potential for economic growth. An integrated approach would help avoid conflicts and optimise synergies between the various sea-based activities so as to boost their economic potential and safeguard the environment. A consultation paper, which is being prepared by a task force of Commissioners, will be published in the first half of 2006.

[ IP/05/231]

New data protection guidelines on payment card fraud prevention databases

The EU Committee of Data Protection Authorities has endorsed guidelines on the collection and processing of data on merchants whose contracts to accept payment cards have been terminated. The guidelines will help banks prevent fraud and ensure that merchants' privacy is better protected. Databases on "terminated" merchants are very important for the banking industry. In the UK, one of the EU countries where the operation of these databases does not pose any legal problems, substantial fraud savings have been made. Their use across Europe could potentially generate savings of € 200 million. The guidelines will be implemented by Visa and MasterCard in 2005 and that implementation will be reviewed in early 2006.

[IP/05/246]

New rules on recognition of family law rulings

As of 1 March, a new EU regulation means that judgments on parental responsibility will be recognised throughout the European Union. The aim of the Regulation is to create a common judicial area in the field of family law to ensure that children can maintain regular contact with both parents after a separation even if they live in different Member States. To effectively solve the problem of parental child abduction within the EU, the Regulation imposes a strict obligation to assure the return of the child. "This Regulation is a milestone in the creation of a common judicial area in family law matters and a significant step forward in the EU policy to protect and promote the rights of the child" said Franco Frattini, Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security.

[IP/05/228]

Europe for All display

The European Commission Office in Northern Ireland is hosting a ‘Europe for All' display at the EC Info Point as part of Community Relations Week from 7 -11 March. The display will cover a range of EU initiatives including equality, anti-discrimination, the fight against racism and the Peace programme. A full listing of Community Relations Week events is available at www.community-relations.org.uk

EU Business

For information on any of the above items, please contact Catherine McShane on 028 9024 0708 or email catherine.mcshane@ec.europa.eu

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Last update: 30/10/2010  |Top