The EU - So many and Varied Topics
''Information is flowing from Brussels on the varied topics that will be on the table for discussion and decision. It's so important that we pass on this information and that the wider public are aware of the work that's being undertaken,
This week includes some key examples of the many and varied issues that impact directly on our lives
Roaming Charges - any of us who travel outside of the UK will I'm sure have voiced concerns about this over the years. Package Travel - the strengthening of rights for holidaymakers. Finally Air Quality. Air quality should be a human right not an aspiration, Here's a look at the week ahead '' Cllr Phil Knowles
Liberal Democrat Strasbourg Look Ahead: 26th - 29th October
Tuesday
End to roaming charges
MEPs will give the final seal of approval to scrapping roaming charges in the EU by 2017, in line with an agreement with EU governments reached in July. Liberal MEPs have campaigned for years to end rip-off roaming charges in Europe.
- Roaming scrapped in June 2017: Surcharges for roaming will be abolished from June 2017. A "fair-use" clause will allow providers to limit roaming (e.g. so you can't use a SIM card from Romania in UK). The exact definition of "fair use" will be put forward by the Commission by 15 December 2016.
- Cheaper charges in 2016: From 30 April 2016, the maximum surcharge for roaming abroad in the EU will be €0.05 per minute for calls, €0.02 for texts and €0.05 per megabyte for data.
Package travel: stronger rights for holidaymakers
There will be a final vote on new consumer rights for package travel booked online. This will bring EU rules on package travel from 1990 into line with the internet age, including for customised packages booked with different operators.
- Clearer liability: It will be clear which operator is liable at each stage of the holiday, and customers will be guaranteed right to compensation if services provided are not up to standard
- Fairer prices: If a tour operator increases costs by 8% or more, a customer have the right to cancel their booking for free. If the costs for the operator fall by more than 3%, they have to pass on savings to consumers
- Stronger cancellation rights: Customers can cancel for free if there is a natural disaster or war, and cancel for any reason for a limited fee
Commission work programme 2016
The Commission will announce what laws it intends to propose in 2016. Expected are concrete proposals for the digital single market, including a sweeping reform of copyright law, and a proposal for an integrated EU energy market and new energy efficiency targets.
Wednesday
Air pollution targets
The European Parliament will vote on its position on new EU binding targets to cut air pollution, which causes an estimated 29,000 premature deaths in the UK each year.
- National pollution targets: Each EU country will be required reduce national emissions of six major pollutants by 2030 including nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter (PM 2.5) and sulphur dioxide.
- Methane and ammonia: MEPs will vote on how strict the limits should be, whether to have binding targets for 2025 and whether to include methane and ammonia (strongly opposed by the farming lobby).
- Catherine Bearder MEP is one of the lead negotiators on the new law and is calling for ambitious limits and the inclusion of methane and ammonia. Following the vote negotiations will begin with national governments, after which final agreement is expected in early 2016.
Resolution on VW scandal
MEPs will vote on a resolution on the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal. MEPs are expected to call for a thorough investigation of the scandal by the Commission and EU member states. Catherine Bearder is calling for stricter EU tests that reflect actual emissions of diesel cars on the road to be put in place as soon as possible, after it emerged that some diesel cars emit four times more pollution than a bus.
