The forthcoming commitments of Hans-Gert PoetteringHe is the only MEP still in office since the first universal suffrage election in 1979. Hans-Gert Poettering, outgoing President of the Assembly in Strasbourg was re-elected uninterruptedly for the past thirty years. On July 14 he chaired the opening of the new legislature. Poettering himself drew a balance of his mandate: “The urgent question of the fight against climate change gained primary attention also thanks to the EU Parliament, which favoured the adoption of the climate-energy package in December 2008”. The German politician described the EP as a fundamental interlocutor for the establishment of new financial market rules and for the progress of the Lisbon Treaty. In leaving his leading post in Strasbourg to serve as MEP within the People’s Party group, Poettering voiced his “major objectives in the current legislature”. These include “intercultural dialogue along with the implementation of the European History Home project” that he himself launched in the address delivered upon his installation in office in January 2007.Biodiversity/1: protecting typical species and habitats “Bringing vulnerable habitats and species back to a good status takes time and considerable effort”. EU Commissioner for the environment Stavros Dimas commented on the findings of a report on the protection of biodiversity, issued July 13 in Brussels which, he said, “leaves no room for complacency”. The report on the conservation status of over 1150 species and 200 habitat types protected under EU law, shows that “only a small proportion of these vulnerable habitats and species have achieved good conservation status and Member States will need to strengthen their efforts if this situation is to improve”. The report, which covers 2001-2006, “provides an invaluable reference point for measuring future trends. Grasslands, wetlands and coastal habitats face the greatest threats, mainly due to the decline of traditional patterns of agriculture, tourist development and climate change”. “But the picture is not uniformly gloomy, however, and some larger, emblematic species such as the wolf, Eurasian lynx, beaver and otter are beginning to re-colonize parts of their traditional range” thanks to the commitment of several Member States. Biodiversity/2: stop to “exotic souvenirs””Did you ever want to bring home a souvenir from your holidays abroad, like cutting a beautiful flower to plant it in your garden? Next time consider it carefully since your souvenir could turn out to be a dangerous guest, capable of triggering the growth of invasive alien species with devastating effects on the local ecosystem”. A recently adopted document on biodiversity protection targets posted on the EU Council website (www.consilium.europa.eu), warns EU citizens to monitor the presence of “invasive alien species”. “There are over 11thousand non indigenous species in Europe – the document states – that include animals, plants and micro-organisms which have managed to adapt to a new habitat and are threatening the existence of autochthonous species”. Indeed, large amounts of EU budget have been invested in countering this phenomenon. Trade routes and international transportation with trucks, by train or ships “promote the fortuitous transfer of alien species that risk damaging crops, agricultural economy, fishing and may negatively affect human health”. The youth don’t always take good care of their health “Motivating the youth of today to care about their health, engage with policymakers and speak out on health matters” European Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said. The occasion was a two-day conference on health-related issues held last week in Brussels and attended by 200 young people from across Europe. Youth participants (aged 18-25) included experts, university professors, policymakers and educators. “Even though the health of young people in Europe is better than it has ever been, there are worrying signs that far too many young people adopt behaviours which, in the long term, will reduce their ability to lead healthy and productive lives, thus endangering their future”, Vassilou declared. Panellists debated alcohol consumption, tobacco and drugs, or physical exercise and mental health. On the same occasion the Commission launched the website “Be Healthy – Be Yourself”. In 22 languages, which can be accessed from the portal www.europa.eu.
