Each week we sum up Commission news of particular interest for the UK while also summarising UK events on EU-related subjects. All comments welcome at COMM-UK-PRESS@ec.europa.eu

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17/02/2017

Economic growth expected across EU but uncertainty high, says EC forecast

For the first time in almost a decade, the economies of all EU member states are expected to grow for three consecutive years (2016-2018) according to the European Commission's Winter Forecast published on 13 February. The UK economy is forecast to see lower growth of 1.5% in 2017 and 1.2% in 2018, compared to 2% in 2016.

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Commission proposes more transparency and accountability in procedures for implementing EU law

On 14 February, the Commission proposed to amend the comitology regulation, increasing transparency and accountability in EU legislation implementation procedures. Comitology refers to the phase in which the European Commission proposes, discusses and seeks the agreement of EU member states on how to implement primary legislation. For example new scientific evidence might emerge about a particular chemical and committees of national experts must then consider whether it has been shown to be dangerous according to the terms of the relevant EU law and therefore whether it should be banned or restrictions placed upon it. The system works well for the large majority of decisions. However, in a number of high profile and sensitive cases in recent years member states have been unable to find the necessary majorities to either vote in favour or against certain draft acts, a so-called 'no opinion' scenario. In these cases, the responsibility to take a final decision falls upon the Commission, which must take that decision without clear political backing from member states. As President Juncker put it referring to one high-profile example: "It is not right that when EU countries cannot decide among themselves whether or not to ban the use of glyphosate in herbicides, the Commission is forced by Parliament and Council to take a decision. So we will change those rules."

The four measures proposed are:

• changing the voting rules at the last stage of the comitology procedure (the Appeal Committee), so that only votes in favour or against an act are taken into account; this will reduce the use of abstentions and the number of situations where the Committee is unable to take a position and the Commission is obliged to act without a clear mandate from the member states;
• involving national Ministers by allowing the Commission to make a second referral to the Appeal Committee at Ministerial level if national experts do not take a position; this will ensure that sensitive decisions are discussed at the appropriate political level;
• increasing voting transparency at the Appeal Committee level by making public the votes of member state representatives;
• ensuring political input by enabling the Commission to refer the matter to the Council of Ministers for an opinion if the Appeal Committee is unable to take a position.

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Q&A

All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here

Commission warns the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Italy over continued air pollution breaches

On 15 February, the European Commission sent final warnings to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Italy for failing to address repeated breaches of air pollution limits for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 pollution is a serious health risk and most emissions result from road traffic. More than 400 000 citizens die prematurely in the EU each year as a result of poor air quality. Millions more suffer from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases caused by air pollution. Persistently high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) caused almost 70 000 premature deaths in Europe in 2013, which was almost three times the number of deaths by road traffic accidents in the same year.

EU legislation on ambient air quality (Directive 2008/50/EC) sets limit values for air pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide. In case such limit values are exceeded, member states are required to adopt and implement air quality plans that set out appropriate measures to bring this situation to an end as soon as possible.

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€90 million EU grant for an innovative energy storage project in Northern Ireland

A €90 million (£76m) EU grant will support the implementation of an innovative energy storage project, the compressed air energy storage (CAES) in Larne, Northern Ireland. This project stores excess energy when for example renewable generation is abundant, in geological caverns within salt layers deep underground, for later release to generate electricity. The project will contribute to system flexibility and stability and facilitate the large-scale penetration of renewables into energy markets.

Today (17 February) EU member states agreed on the Commission's proposal to invest €444 million (£377m) in 18 key European energy infrastructure projects, including the one in Larne and another UK project at the Moffat interconnection point with Ireland. The 18 selected electricity, smart grids and gas projects will contribute to achieving the Energy Union's goals by connecting European energy networks, increasing security of energy supply, and contributing to the sustainable development by integrating renewable energy sources across the EU.

The money for the chosen projects comes from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU's funding support programme for infrastructure.

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Every week, we pick out one of the week's most interesting stories or comment pieces….which does not mean we agree with everything it says:

The numbers show EU workers are deserting us already by Ben Chu in the Independent

EU-Canada free trade deal

British producers of machinery, electrical equipment, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals will see import tariffs of up to 9.5% on their trade with Canada slashed after the European Parliament supported the EU-Canada free trade deal (known as CETA). In addition to eliminating 99% of duties on imported British goods the agreement will ease the export of services and the access of British professionals to work in Canada.

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 “You are a vital player in addressing the challenges that we collectively face as an international community. Indeed, the whole world benefits from a strong EU,” Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, speaking to the European Parliament.

Ely Court in London is one of the five finalists of the EU prize for contemporary architecture 2017