“Made in” logo to protect consumers and enterprises MEPs called for mandatory origin marking of imported goods in the EU in order to protect European consumers and industry. The ‘Made In’ logo has been the object of Parliament debate for years. During the last plenary sitting, MEPs adopted with large majority vote a resolution calling for a “mandatory country of origin marking system to imported products such as textiles, jewellery, apparel, footwear, furniture, leather, lamps and light fittings, glassware, ceramics and handbags”. Consumers would thus be able to identify those products with the social, environmental and safety standards generally associated with that country, “improving the competitiveness of EU industry in the world economy”. The document points out that extra-European competitors such as the United States, China and Japan have already taken measures of this kind and points to the need to step up the fight against custom frauds. Employment, 4 million less jobs due to the crisisEmployment in the EU “has shrunk by over 4 million jobs since the start of the crisis, although the effect has been somewhat mitigated thanks to the use of shorter working hours and other schemes”. The current crisis is taking its toll on EU labour markets, “reversing most of the employment growth achieved since 2000”, according to the 2009 Employment in Europe Report, presented by Commissioner Vladimir Spidla. Accordingly, “Men, young people, the low-skilled and workers on temporary contracts have borne the brunt of the employment contraction”. The Report is due to be examined by Member States on December 9 and will set the agenda of the March 2010 summit devoted to the Lisbon Strategy. However, the survey points out, “European labour markets have shown considerable dynamism in recent years, as every year, around 22% of European workers change jobs”. The average duration of unemployment periods has also extended, says the Report. Promotion of EU agricultural products overseas”EU quality products are second to none”, said Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. “Increasing their visibility on markets outside the EU is a major priority”. On November 30 Mariann Fischer Boel, Commissioner for agriculture and rural development approved measures to provide information on, and to promote agricultural products in third countries. A 11.1 million (50% of the total budget of the programmes) EU contribution will fund promotion and advertising campaigns and cover participation at events and fairs, information on the productive systems presented by France, Greece, Poland, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal and Romania. The EU budget will cover information campaigns on the EU system of protected designations of origin (PDOs), protected geographical indications (PGIs) and traditional speciality guaranteed (TSGs) along with exported wines, fruits and vegetables, meats, alcoholic beverages, olive oil and organic farming. Holiday travel protectionThe Commission is consulting on extending the basic cover provided by EU’s 1990 Package Travel Directive to the light of the next generation of ‘dynamic packages’ where consumers make up their own packages often online, through one website or different partner websites. EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said: “We need tough protection that gives all consumers booking a package holiday the peace of mind they deserve, and we need a level playing field so businesses compete on equal terms”. The Commissioner said that a consultation is underway aimed at reviewing current European legislation on information, liability and insolvencies. “Europe is the world’s largest regional travel market with sales of 246 billion in 2008”, said Commissioner Kuneva. Traditional packages (pre-packaged deals containing several elements such as travel and accommodation) account for 40% ( 98.4 billion) of the total travel market. Moreover, two thirds of dynamic packages are not adequately protected by legislation including reimbursements or penalties. The Directive provides protection covering: information in brochures, rights to cancel without penalty, liability for services (eg sub-standard hotels) and protection in the case of a tour operator or airline going bust.
