Commission: how to reduce food waste?In EU28 almost 90 million tons of food end up in the garbage bin every day. It is a direct waste of food especially in the present difficult circumstances experienced by a large part of the population because of the crisis. But it’s also a great indirect damage, considering the resources involved in the production of that food. Indeed, food production involves various areas of the life of the EU, for example, the economy and the job market, the use of land and water resources, pollution, depletion of phosphorus, and the impact of chemical products such as herbicides and pesticides in food processing industries. That is why the European Commission has launched a consultation – addressed to stakeholders, citizens, businesses, NGOs and public authorities – aimed at identifying ideas to promote more sustainable production, to respond to the needs of internal market consumers, and to those of foreign markets. "This is morally and economically unacceptable. We are also wasting all those resources. There’s something wrong with the system", said Commissioner Janez Potoènik. The consultation – which focuses on immediate measures as well as on middle-term and long-term production and business planning – is open until 1st October 2013. The Commission is planning to present ideas later this year.Tourism and the internet for easier holidays"In the 1990s, most Europeans picked out a pre-arranged package deal from a brochure and booked it at their local travel agent. But times have changed and we need to update the rules to keep pace with a changing market". EU Commissioner for Justice Vice-President Viviane Reding clarified the content of a Community directive, "to improve consumer rights for 120 million holiday makers". A directive on this theme exists since 1990, but nowadays most consumers book travel arrangements online rather than through travel agencies, which leaves buyers uncertain if they can count on protection and traders unclear of their obligations. That’s why – the Commissioner pointed out – the EU is acting "to provide a safety net and peace of mind for holiday makers". The 1990 EU Directive on package travel "guarantees comprehensive protection to consumers booking pre-arranged package holidays which involve combinations of, for example, flights, hotels, or car rentals". The protection includes the right to receive all necessary information before signing the contract, "making sure that a party is liable for the performance of all services in the package". The present reform responds "to a fundamental transformation of the travel market: Citizens are increasingly taking a more active role in tailoring their holidays to their specific requirements", using the internet to combine travel arrangements. The proposal bolsters protection for buyers of traditional and customised packages on line (controls on price surcharges, improved cancellation and reimbursement rights, better information on liability, right to get their money back and be repatriated) and for businesses (creating a level playing field between different operators and decreasing red tape)."Creative Europe": funds for culture and audiovisualsOn July 16 the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER I) at the EU agreed on the compromise text of a Regulation establishing the Creative Europe Programme with a view to allowing the six-month presidency to finalize agreement with the European Parliament on this file, declared president Arunas Vinciunas. "Creative Europe" is a tool to promote cultural and audiovisual initiatives in EU28. It encompasses three currently self-standing programmes: Culture, MEDIA and MEDIA MUNDUS. The main reason to join existing programmes was to create more opportunities for projects operators and facilitate the implementation of programme in the various contexts. "It focuses on the Small and Medium Enterprises and enables companies in cultural and audiovisual sectors to develop and generate new ideas", the Commission wrote in a release. The Guarantee Facility (expected to be managed by the European Investment Fund) will provide guarantees to banks dealing with small and medium-sized entreprises operating in cultural and creative sectors, thus enabling those SMEs easier access to bank loans.
