Rådsmøde nr. 3371 (konkurrenceevne) den 2.-3. marts 2015

Europaudvalget 2015-16
Rådsmøde 3371 - konkurrenceevne
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

6715/15

(OR. en)

PRESSE 16

PR CO 8

OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

3371 Council meeting

Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry, Research and Space)

Brussels, 2 and 3 March 2015

Presidents

Dana Reizniece-Ozola

Minister for the Economy

Mārīte Seile

Minister for Education and Science

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press

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CONTENTS

ITEMS DEBATED

2015 annual growth survey .................................................................................................................. 5

Single market policy ............................................................................................................................ 6

Industrial competitiveness and digital transformation ......................................................................... 6

European Research Area: measures to promote innovation ................................................................ 7

Towards a data-driven economy: open, networked and data intensive research ................................. 8

Any other business ............................................................................................................................... 9

–

Small Business Act review ...................................................................................................................................... 9

Improving the single market: the "frontrunners" initiative .................................................................................... 10

Accounting Directive: transparency requirements ................................................................................................ 10

Energy Union ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

Investment plan for Europe ................................................................................................................................... 11

European Research Area: roadmap and governance ............................................................................................. 11

Science 2.0: open science ...................................................................................................................................... 12

Baltic Sea research and development programme (“BONUS” programme) ......................................................... 12

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

TRADE POLICY

–

Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures - codification ....................................................................................... 13

Common rules for imports and exports - codification ........................................................................................... 13

WTO - Armenia..................................................................................................................................................... 13

WTO - US Caribbean Basin economic recovery act ............................................................................................. 14



Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated

in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.

 

Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site

(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).

 

Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by

an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press

Office.

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INTERNAL MARKET

–

eCall: emergency call system in road accidents - Type-approval for vehicles ...................................................... 14

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

–

EEC- Iceland agreement ........................................................................................................................................ 14

Relations with Kazakhstan .................................................................................................................................... 15

EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia ....................................................... 15

EU Special Representative in Afghanistan ............................................................................................................ 15

Restrictive measures - Somalia.............................................................................................................................. 15

Restrictive measures - Central African Republic .................................................................................................. 15

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

–

Visa facilitation agreement - Ukraine .................................................................................................................... 16

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

–

Investment Facility Committee - Rules of Procedure ............................................................................................ 16

European Development Fund committee - Rules of procedure ............................................................................. 16

11th European Development Fund - ACP countries ............................................................................................. 17

Internal agreement on the financing of the European Development Fund ............................................................ 17

TRANSPORT

–

Road traffic offenders traceable across the EU* ................................................................................................... 17

Maritime transport agreement with China - amendment following Croatia's accession........................................ 18

ENVIRONMENT

–

Cultivation of genetically modified organisms* .................................................................................................... 18

Plastic carrier bags................................................................................................................................................. 18

AGRICULTURE

–

Pesticides - maximum residue levels ..................................................................................................................... 19

FISHERIES

–

Partnership agreement between EU and Senegal - Conclusion of the agreement and protocol ............................ 19

FOOD LAW

–

Flavouring - Non dioxin-like PCBs ....................................................................................................................... 20

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EMPLOYMENT

–

International Labour Organization: Forced labour convention ............................................................................. 20

TAXATION

–

Taxation of motor fuels - United Kingdom ........................................................................................................... 21

APPOINTMENTS

–

European Economic and Social Committee .......................................................................................................... 21

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ITEMS DEBATED

2015 annual growth survey

The Council held discussions on the Commission's 2015 annual growth survey, as a part of relevant

Council deliberations in preparation for the spring European Council on 19 and 20 March.

The Council stressed the need to promote investment, improve the overall business environment

and address market failures in Europe, and to pursue and intensify member states' efforts to

implement structural reforms and pursue growth-friendly fiscal responsibility, with a view to

providing the foundation for growth and jobs and progress on the Europe 2020 headline targets.

In November 2014, the Commission published its 2015 annual growth survey, which sets out policy

priorities for jobs and growth in the EU and its member states.

The Council broadly shares the Commission's analysis of the economic situation and policy

challenges in the 2015 growth survey. Despite recent improvements, the economic recovery is

weaker than expected with low productivity gains, low levels of investment and high

unemployment. If not addressed, these factors will significantly weaken Europe's growth potential,

thereby making it harder to achieve societal goals.

Against this background, the Council put a strong focus on the measures that can improve economic

performance and create added value in both the short and the long term and which are within the

remit of the Competitiveness Council:

Single Market Policy

Industrial competitiveness

European Research Area

Two overarching subjects were included in the ministerial debates: the new investment plan for

Europe and the way forward towards the creation of a truly digital economy.

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Single market policy

Following discussions, the Council adopted

conclusions

on the single market policy. The outcome

of the discussions and the conclusions will provide guidance to the Commission for the upcoming

internal market strategy for goods and services and the digital single market package, which the

Commission is due to present in the coming months.

The debate was structured on the basis of a presidency

policy document

and a questionnaire inviting

ministers to express views on the main existing barriers and bottlenecks in the single market and on

the measures and instruments that should be taken up in the upcoming strategies for the internal

market and the digital single market.

The 2015 annual growth survey and the investment plan for Europe were taken as reference points

in the debate, as they also seek to strengthen the single market further by creating optimal

framework conditions for investment in Europe.

Industrial competitiveness and digital transformation

On the basis of a presidency

policy document,

ministers held a discussion that focused on the need

to incorporate industrial policy aspects within the future digital single market strategy.

They shared the view that a competitive and digital EU must be based on the assumption that

innovative enterprises and businesses which exploit digital opportunities are the future of a modern

economy and are a precondition for creating growth and jobs.

However, they also noted several obstacles that prevent industry from embracing digital innovations

and tools.

Among the specific measures that could contribute to creating a fertile digital ecosystem for EU

industrial sectors, companies and start-ups, the following were highlighted. The need:

–

to facilitate access to financing, mainly for innovative firms,

to improve digital skills and training in new technologies,

to make it easier to do business on-line and increase trust and cyber-security,

to modernise intellectual property rules so as to adapt them to the digital dimension,

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–

to increase the interoperability of standards,

to reduce administrative burdens and costs for enterprises,

to help high tech clusters to develop at national and EU levels.

During the traditional informal working lunch, ministers concentrated on the future of the European

industrial policy and on how to accelerate the implementation of specific measures to support and

better integrate competitiveness aspects in all policy areas at EU and national levels. In this regard,

the discussion covered the option of taking into consideration industry-related concerns in

upcoming EU strategies on goods and services, the energy union and the digital single market.

European Research Area: measures to promote innovation

Following a presentation by the Commission on the 2015 annual growth survey and the investment

plan for Europe, the Council held a discussion on measures designed to promote innovation in the

European Research Area (ERA).

The discussion was based on a presidency

policy document

and a questionnaire.

The Council agreed on the need for the member states to carry out structural reforms of their

research and innovation (R&I) systems in order to improve the quality of R&I strategies,

programmes and institutions and maximise the impact of R&I investments.

With regard to the proposed investment plan for Europe, all delegations advocated prioritising areas

with the greatest potential to create a favourable environment for business investment in R&I. They

stressed the need to ensure that the funding should support the knowledge economy, research and

innovative projects.

There was also a broad consensus among the member states to ensure that resources allocated to the

investment plan should have a high degree of return in terms of societal benefits and that these

resources should generate additional investments in R&I.

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Many member states admitted that one of the main challenges to be addressed will be to establish

the right framework conditions to unlock and mobilise private investment.

In this regard, ministers agreed that a fast and coherent implementation of the priorities of the ERA

should contribute boost confidence and create an overall attractive environment. Therefore, efforts

should be deployed to overcome current difficulties in several areas. To this end, many delegations

supported:

–

the development of closer links between businesses, universities and research institutions,

the removal of barriers to the transfer of knowledge,

open access to the results of scientific research,

the promotion of greater mobility for researchers within the ERA,

the promotion of international cooperation,

efforts to encourage relevant education and training in digital skills,

the aim of promoting the commercialisation of innovative products.

Research Infrastructures were also mentioned as a key asset for European science and innovation, both

for the research community and the private sector.

Towards a data-driven economy: open, networked and data intensive research

The Council held a discussion on ways in which to boost innovation through open, networked and

data intensive research.

The outcome of the discussion will contribute to identifying key aspects in this field to be addressed

in the forthcoming digital single market strategy.

It will also contribute to the preparation of Council conclusions on open, data-intensive and

networked research as a driver for faster and wider innovation. This will be submitted to the

Competitiveness Council in May.

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The discussion was based on a presidency

policy document

and a questionnaire.

The Council considered that the time is right to set out clearly the major data challenges within the

digital single market agenda.

Ministers stressed the need for R&I in this context and, in particular, the need for improved data

governance, appropriate skills and data infrastructures.

The research perspective should be taken into account when discussing issues such as data

protection and copyright, cyber-security, data storage and management, interoperability of networks

and standardisation, data-sharing conditions, etc.

The European Council's conclusions of October 2013 highlight the digital economy, innovation and

services as drivers for growth and jobs. They call for EU action to provide the right framework

conditions for a single market for big data and cloud computing.

In July 2014 the Commission responded to this call through its communication

"Towards a thriving

data-driven economy",

which outlines the features of the data-driven economy of the future and sets

out measures to support and accelerate the transition towards it. It also sets out current and future

activities in the field of cloud computing.

Any other business

–

Small Business Act review

The Council took note of an update by the Commission on a public consultation on the future of

SME policy in Europe.

The consultation was launched by the Commission in September 2014 in order to prepare the

review of the Small Business Act.

At the December 2014 Competitiveness Council, ministers discussed SME aspects within a broader

policy debate on industrial competitiveness. Moreover, the Commission presented the first SME

Envoys' report, which provides guiding principles for the future of SMEs in Europe.

Report on public consultation on the new SME policy

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–

Improving the single market: the "frontrunners" initiative

The Dutch and United Kingdom delegations presented, on behalf of other delegations, the

“frontrunners

projects"

to improve the single market.

The aim of the frontrunners' group of countries is to step up efforts to solve specific problems faced

by businesses and consumers within the internal market.

The group finalised its work on four projects it had identified in May 2014: the Single Market

Centre, Points of Single Contact, the recognition of professional qualifications and barriers to cross-

border e-commerce. The frontrunners countries group present a new form of cooperation.

–

Accounting Directive: transparency requirements

The Dutch delegation drew attention to the importance of maintaining a level playing field between

transparency reporting requirements

for the extractive industries under the EU's Accounting

Directive and similar reporting requirements for these industries in the United States of America.

The Dutch delegation, with the support of some other delegations, asked the Commission to

monitor and to keep the Council informed on further international developments in relation to these

issues.

–

Energy Union

The Council took note of a presentation by the Commission on its communication "A framework

strategy for a resilient

Energy Union

with a forward looking climate change policy”, issued on 25

February.

The communication aims at setting a new direction and a long term vision for European energy and

climate policy.

The Commission's presentation focused on competitiveness-related elements contained in the

communication. Policy areas under the responsibility of the Competitiveness Council such as

industrial policy, SME policy, research, technological development and innovation policy, can

make a significant contribution to reaching the goals of the proposed Energy Union strategy.

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–

Investment plan for Europe

The

French delegation

requested that the Competitiveness Council be fully involved in all aspects

and preparatory steps of the investment plan.

It also asked the Commission and the European Investment Bank to keep ministers for

competitiveness informed about the progress made.

–

European Research Area: roadmap and governance

The presidency and the Commission briefed ministers on the state of play of the European Research

Area (ERA) roadmap and the steps taken to improve the governance of the ERA.

The presidency announced its intention to prepare conclusions on the ERA roadmap to be submitted

to the Competitiveness Council at the end of May.

The purpose of the roadmap is to identify and focus on measures that are likely to have the most

profound impact and that could provide the greatest benefits for Europe's science, research and

innovation systems.

Those measures are to be anchored in the key priorities agreed for the ERA, which are: a more

effective national research systems; optimal transnational co-operation and competition; an open

labour market for researchers; gender equality and gender mainstreaming in research, and optimal

circulation, access to and transfer of scientific knowledge, including via a digital ERA. International

cooperation in research is considered a sixth priority.

In February 2014, the

Council conclusions

invited the EU member states, in cooperation with the

Commission, to develop by mid-2015 an ERA roadmap at European level.

Following this request, a preparatory and advisory committee (the “ERAC”) started preparing the

roadmap which would cover the years 2015-2020. In addition to the ERAC, the Commission and

the presidency, the other ERA-related groups, ERA stakeholder organisations and national

administrations are involved in the process.

At an informal working lunch, ministers exchanged views on governance and organisational

structure.

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–

Science 2.0: open science

The Council took note of the outcome of a

public consultation

on Science 2.0, which refers to the

transition in the way research is performed, researchers collaborate, knowledge is shared and

science is organised.

In July 2014, the Commission launched a consultation on "Science 2.0" focusing on the new trends

in research and organising science. It gathered the views of many different stakeholders on the

future of science, taking into account new trends such as more open, digital and data-driven science.

The presidency announced its intention to propose a policy debate on the future of open science at

the Competitiveness Council meeting in May.

–

Baltic Sea research and development programme (“BONUS” programme)

The Council took note of an evaluation

report

on the Joint Baltic Sea Research and Development

Programme (the “BONUS” programme).

The Commission and the BONUS secretariat provided information on the way forward.

The aim of the BONUS programme is to enhance the research capacity in providing solutions to

environmental problems of the Baltic Sea region and in facilitating its sustainable development.

BONUS was established in 2010 as a joint research programme between Denmark, Germany,

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland and Sweden, with the participation of the European

Union under article 185 of the EU Treaty.

The interim evaluation of the programme, which was conducted by a group of independent experts,

resulted in a report with nine recommendations to strengthen the efficiency of BONUS.

The overall conclusion is that BONUS is progressively achieving its objectives. It has reached a

high level of scientific and managerial integration to tackle challenges facing the Baltic Sea.

The participating countries are expected to present a proposal for the continuation of the programme

under the criteria of the Horizon 2020 research framework programme.

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

TRADE POLICY

Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures - codification

The Council adopted regulations codifying:

–

regulation 1515/2001 as subsequently amended on the measures that may be taken by the

EU following a report adopted by the WTO dispute settlement body on anti-dumping and

anti-subsidy matters,

regulation 452/2003 as subsequently amended on measures the EU may take in relation to

the combined effect of anti-dumping or anti-subsidy measures with safeguard measures.

–

The regulations will supersede the various acts incorporated in them whilst fully preserving their

content.

Common rules for imports and exports - codification

The Council adopted regulations codifying:

–

regulation 260/2009 as subsequently amended on the common rules for imports,

regulation 1061/2009 as subsequently amended on common rules for exports.

The regulations will supersede the various acts incorporated in them whilst fully preserving their

content.

WTO - Armenia

The Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations, under the General Agreement on

Tariffs and Trade, with Armenia and other WTO members, which are relevant for the purposes of

the WTO submission made by Armenia in October 2014.

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WTO - US Caribbean Basin economic recovery act

The Council adopted a decision establishing the position to be taken by the EU within the WTO on

a United States request for a waiver.

It agreed to support the US request to waive certain WTO obligations in relation to its US

Caribbean Basin economic recovery act.

EU position of 2 March 2015 on the US Caribbean Basin economic recovery act

INTERNAL MARKET

eCall: emergency call system in road accidents - Type-approval for vehicles

The Council adopted its position on type-approval requirements for fitting eCall devices in new

motor vehicles. The EU-wide eCall system is designed to speed up emergency services in road

accidents.

New vehicles will have to be fitted with wireless devices to trigger automatically a distress signal to

the 112 emergency call number.

The eCall system will contribute to reducing the number of injuries and fatalities in road accidents

in the Union. It is expected that it will halve emergency response times, resulting in lives saved and

injuries treated promptly.

For more information see

press release.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

EEC- Iceland agreement

The Council adopted a regulation to undertake a codification of regulation No 2843/72 on the

safeguard measures provided for in the agreement between the European Economic Community and

Iceland (6275/15).

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Relations with Kazakhstan

The Council approved the position of the European Union for the fourteenth meeting of the EU-

Kazakhstan Cooperation Council, to be held in Brussels on 3 March 2015.

EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia

The Council extended the mandate of the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the

crisis in Georgia, Mr Herbert Salber, until 31 October 2015.

EU Special Representative in Afghanistan

The Council extended the mandate of the EU Special Representative in Afghanistan, Mr Franz-

Michael Skjold Mellbin, until 31 October 2015. At the same time, it allocated a budget of € 3.975

million for the period between 1 March and 31 October 2015. Mr Mellbin's role is to promote the

views of the Union on the political process and developments in Afghanistan.

Restrictive measures - Somalia

The Council amended EU sanctions against Somalia, following the adoption of a UN Security

Council resolution. The changes authorise member states to inspect vessels bound to or from

Somalia off the coast of Somalia, where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they carry

charcoal or arms in violation of existing restrictive measures.

The Council also removed the name of one person from the list of persons subject to restrictive

measures following a decision at the UN.

Restrictive measures - Central African Republic

The Council amended EU restrictive measures against the Central African Republic. It removed the

name of one person from the list of those subject to the above measures following a decision at the

UN.

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JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Visa facilitation agreement - Ukraine

The Council adopted a decision establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the EU by the

Joint Committee set up under the Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the

facilitation of the issuance of visas, with regard to the adoption of Common Guidelines for the

implementation of the Agreement (15902/14).

The Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine on the facilitation of the issuance of visas

entered into force on 1 January 2008. The Agreement established, on the basis of reciprocity,

legally binding rights and obligations for the purpose of simplifying the visa issuing procedures for

Ukrainian citizens. Article 12 of this Agreement set up a Joint Committee tasked to monitor the

implementation of the Agreement.

In 2009, the Joint Committee adopted common guidelines in order to ensure a fully harmonised

implementation of the Visa Facilitation Agreement amongst the consulates of the member states,

and to clarify the relationship between the provisions of that Agreement and the provisions of the

contracting parties that continue to apply to visa issues not covered by the Agreement.

On 1 July 2013, an amended Agreement between the EU and Ukraine entered into force and the

Guidelines needed to be adapted accordingly.

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Investment Facility Committee - Rules of Procedure

The Council adopted the rules of procedure of the Investment Facility Committee set up under the

auspices of the European Investment Bank. The Committee approves the operational guidelines, the

investment strategies and business plans as well as the annual reports of the Investment Facility. It

also delivers an opinion on all Investment Facility financing proposals.

European Development Fund committee - Rules of procedure

The Council adopted the rules of procedure of the European Development Fund committee, which

is involved in the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund.

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11th European Development Fund - ACP countries

The Council adopted a regulation for the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund

(EDF) (10178/14).

The primary objective of cooperation under this regulation, which covers the period 2014 to 2020,

is the reduction and the eradication of poverty. It will also contribute to fostering sustainable and

inclusive economic, social and environmental development and to consolidating and supporting

democracy, the rule of law, good governance and human rights.

The Council also approved the rules for the financial implementation of the 11th EDF, which relate

to the applicable principles; the constitution of its resources; the financial actors and entities

entrusted with budget-implementation tasks; the financing decisions, commitments and payments;

the types of financing including procurement, grants, financial instruments and Union trust funds;

the presentation of the accounts and accounting; the external audit by the Court of Auditors and

discharge by the European Parliament; and the Investment Facility managed by the European

Investment Bank (10176/14 and

11434/14).

Internal agreement on the financing of the European Development Fund

The Council amended the amounts and the contribution keys to the 11th European Development

Fund to take account of the accession of Croatia to the EU.

TRANSPORT

Road traffic offenders traceable across the EU*

The Council adopted a directive on sharing information on traffic offences committed by drivers of

foreign vehicles. It extends the existing rules to include the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark.

A new directive became necessary when the Court of Justice ruled in May 2014 that the directive's

legal basis should be transport, not police cooperation, and allowed a one-year transition period to

get the new legal act in place.

Directive on cross-border exchange of information on traffic offences

Statement on the adoption of the traffic offence directive

Traffic offenders traceable across the EU

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Maritime transport agreement with China - amendment following Croatia's accession

The Council authorised the signing of a protocol amending the maritime transport agreement with

China. The purpose of the amendment is to take account of Croatia's accession to the EU.

The Council also adopted a decision approving the conclusion of the protocol.

Protocol amending the maritime transport agreement with China

Council decision on signing of the protocol amending maritime transport agreement with China

Council decision on conclusion of the protocol amending maritime transport agreement with China

ENVIRONMENT

Cultivation of genetically modified organisms*

The Council adopted a directive allowing member states to ban or restrict the cultivation of

genetically modified organisms GMOs on their territory (PE-CONS

1/15

6449/15 ADD 1).

The

Portuguese and Belgian delegations abstained.

For details see

press release.

Plastic carrier bags

The Council adopted its position at first reading (5094/15) together with its statement of reasons

(5094/15

ADD 1)

on a directive amending directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste to

reduce the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags.

The new rules aim at encouraging waste prevention and a more efficient use of resources, limiting

the negative environmental impacts of litter from plastic carrier bags which accumulate in the

environment, in particular in water bodies and aquatic eco-systems.

For details see press release

16954/14.

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AGRICULTURE

Pesticides - maximum residue levels

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of a Commission regulation amending annexes II,

III and V to regulation 396/2005

as regards maximum residue levels (MRLs) for 1,3-

dichloropropene, bifenox, dimethenamid-P, prohexadione, tolylfluanid and trifluralin in or on

certain products (5238/15).

Regulation 396/2005 establishes the maximum quantities of pesticide residues or MRLs permitted

in products of animal or vegetable origin intended for human or animal consumption. These MRLs

include, on the one hand, levels which are specific to particular foodstuffs intended for human or

animal consumption and, on the other, a general limit which applies where no specific level has

been set. MRL applications are communicated to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

which issue a scientific opinion on each intended new MRL. Based on EFSA's opinion, the

Commission proposes a regulation to establish a new MRL or to amend or remove an existing MRL

and modifying the annexes of regulation 396/2005 accordingly.

These Commission regulations are subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means

that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt the regulation, unless

the European Parliament objects.

FISHERIES

Partnership agreement between EU and Senegal - Conclusion of the agreement and protocol

The Council adopted a decision on the conclusion of a sustainable fisheries partnership agreement

(FPA) between the EU and the Republic of Senegal and the implementation protocol thereto

(12812/14).

Following negotiations, a new FPA and its implementation protocol was signed by the Council and

Senegal in November 2014. In order to allow EU vessels to carry out fishing activities, the new

protocol applied on a provisional basis since its signature, pending the completion of the procedures

for its formal conclusion. The European Parliament gave its consent for the conclusion of the FPA

and its protocol on 11 February 2015.

OJ L 070, 16.3.2005, p. 1.

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FOOD LAW

Flavouring - Non dioxin-like PCBs

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of the two following Commission regulations:

–

a regulation amending annex I to regulation 1334/2008 removing N-Ethyl (2E,6Z)-

nonadienamide from the EU list of flavouring substances (5218/15),

a regulation amending regulation 1881/2006 increasing the current maximum level of non

dioxin-like PCBs in wild caught spiny dogfish to put it on a level as low as reasonably

achievable (5366/15).

–

The Commission regulations are subject to the so called regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This

means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the

European Parliament objects.

EMPLOYMENT

International Labour Organization: Forced labour convention

The Council agreed in principle on decisions authorising member states to ratify, in the interests of

the EU, the 2014 protocol to the ILO forced labour convention.

The decisions concern judicial cooperation in criminal matters (6424/15) and social policy

(6425/15).

The protocol aims to step-up the fight against contemporary forms of forced labour and to make

progress in assistance to victims and in international cooperation.

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TAXATION

Taxation of motor fuels - United Kingdom

The Council adopted a

decision

authorising the United Kingdom to apply a reduced rate of excise

duty on gas oil and unleaded petrol, supplied as motor fuel to road vehicles, in 17 pre-defined

geographical areas.

The autorisation, granted in accordance with article 19 of the energy taxation

directive (2003/96/EC), will take effect on the date of its notification and expire six years thereafter.

It is will apply in areas where prices of gas oil and unleaded petrol are higher than in the rest of the

UK, due to the areas' remoteness, low population numbers and low volumes of fuel deliveries.

APPOINTMENTS

European Economic and Social Committee

The Council appointed Ms Flora GOLIN (Italy) as a member of the European Economic and Social

Committee for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 20 September 2015.

The Council also appointed on 24 February 2015, by written procedure, Dr Dirk BERGRATH

(Germany) and Mr Erik O'DONOVAN, Mr Cilian LOHAN and Mr John BRYAN (Ireland) as

members of the European Economic and Social Committee for the remainder of the current term of

office.

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