Small but concrete

Protecting oneself from ultraviolet rays to prevent sunburn or skin tumor; combating cigarette smoke to protect our health and that of our neighbour; having the possibility to choose from a large variety of fruits and vegetables, which perhaps are less ‘perfect’ from the aesthetical angle, but that are certainly edible. Once again the EU undertakes a concrete path with a series of measures enforced this week. Sun is good for us but… “Our message to consumers for this summer is clear: sunscreen is only one of a number of measures that are necessary for effective protection against the sun. The new labelling system will help make an informed choice” of sunscreen creams and lotions “for yourself and the family”. Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, reminded citizens who are planning holidays to the sea or to the mountains on the importance of protection from sunrays. The Executive underlines the importance of the new UV-A logo or seal on bottles and a ban on misleading terms such as “sunblocker” or “total protection”. Commissioner Kuneva remarked, “Everyone, young and old people, ought to be well-informed on the measures that help protection against ultra-violet rays while enjoying the sun. For this reason the Commission monitors exposure to sunrays and their effect on the increase in skin-tumors, along with the development of appropriate prevention strategies for reducing risks in the framework of the health program”. Sunscreen labelling was introduced in a 2006 Recommendation. Other measures include: “Avoiding excessive sun exposure at peak hours”; “When it is not possible to stay out of the sun, keep yourself well covered, hats and sun glasses can give you additional protection”; “Avoid direct sun exposure of babies and young children”.No cigarettes in public places. “Smoke Free Europe” inspires the proposal for a Council Recommendation that “calls on all Member States to bring in laws to protect their citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke”. “There is a wave of support from the general public and we will work with Member States to make this a reality” . Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, described the main points of the provision that include the adoption and implementation of “laws to fully protect their citizens from exposure to tobacco smoke in enclosed public place, workplaces and public transport; enhance smoke-free laws with supporting measures such as protecting children, encouraging efforts to give up tobacco use and pictorial warnings on tobacco packages; “Strengthen cooperation at EU level by setting up a network of national focal points for tobacco control”. The Commissioner pointed out that “tobacco remains the largest single cause of premature death and disease in the European Union”, while not all Member States adopted “smoke-free regulations”.Cucumbers, beans and bureaucracy. “The return of the bendy cucumber” may sound like one of the usual Euro-sceptical slogans to denigrate Euro-bureaucracy. Instead, it’s the title given to a note issued by the Commission June 30 stating, “European Union rules governing the size and shape of many fruit and vegetables will cease to exist” in July 2009, “when specific marketing standards for 26 types of fruit – including apricots, artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, avocadoes, beans, Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, melons, and water melons – will be eliminated”. The Commission’s initiative to get rid of these standards is a major element in its ongoing efforts “to streamline and simplify EU rules and cut red tape”. For 10 types of fruit and vegetables, including apples, strawberries and tomatoes, marketing standards will remain in place. But even for these 10, Member States could for the first time allow shops to sell products that don’t respect the standards, as long as they are labelled”. This “marks the return to our shelves of the curved cucumber and the knobbly carrot”, declared Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. “More seriously, this is a concrete example of our drive to cut unnecessary red tape”. The changes also mean that consumers will be able to choose from the widest range of products possible. It makes no sense to throw perfectly good products away, just because they are the ‘wrong’ size and shape”.