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Europaudvalget 2013-14
Rådsmøde 3334 - Alm. anl.
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

13625/14

(OR. en)

PRESSE 482

PR CO 46

PRESS RELEASE

3334th Council meeting

General Affairs

Brussels, 29 September 2014

President

Sandro Gozi

State Secretary for European Affairs of Italy

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 5394 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

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

13625/14

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29 September 2014

Main results of the Council

The Council prepared the ground for the

October European Council

by examining a draft agenda.

The European Council of 23-24 October is expected to take a decision on the new climate and

energy policy framework, to discuss the economic situation in Europe and to address pressing

international issues.

"In order to reach a deal in October, further work needs to be done on pending issues, and in

particular on burden sharing. However, delegations confirmed the objective of reaching an

ambitious agreement on the climate and energy package",

said Sandro Gozi, State Secretary for

European Affairs of Italy and President of the Council.

As a follow-up to the June European Council the Council examined the implementation of the

initiatives taken in the last two years

to foster growth, jobs and competitiveness

in Europe and

discussed how to accelerate the implementation of these measures.

"This is a new exercise launched by the Italian Presidency aimed at better ensuring the evaluation

and more effective implementation of the European Council conclusions",

added State Secretary

Gozi.

"Today, on the basis of a report provided by the Presidency, we had a first discussion focused

on jobs, growth and competitiveness, which was also helpful with a view to the Conference on

Employment at the level of Heads of State or Government to be held in Milano on October 8. The

discussions today will also help the preparation of the discussion at the October European Council.

Following a series of monthly debates, at the end of our Presidency, we will submit a

comprehensive report on the first phase of the implementation of the strategic agenda".

The Council adopted conclusions concerning the

EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region.

"The conclusions adopted today by the Council pave the way for the endorsement of the macro-

regional strategy by the October European Council",

added State Secretary Sandro Gozi.

"As one of

the priorities of the Italian Presidency, the strategy will provide new tools to foster cooperation in

areas such as the maritime economy, preserving the marine environment, completing transport and

energy links and boosting sustainable tourism at a regional level, for the benefits of 70 million

citizens."

The Presidency also briefed the Council on the outcomes of the first meeting of the “Friends of the

Presidency Group” on improving of the functioning of the EU, held on 25 September.

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29 September 2014

Furthermore, the Council adopted, without discussion, the following acts and decisions:

–

two regulations on the

statute and funding of European political parties and their

affiliated foundations;

the delay of the provisional application of the

free-trade agreement with Ukraine;

a broadening of the mandate of the European Union

rule of law mission in Kosovo;

a directive setting out new

transparency rules on social responsibility for large

companies;

a directive on

building up minimum infrastructure for alternative fuels across the EU;

a regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of

invasive

alien species.

–

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29 September 2014

CO TE TS

PARTICIPA TS................................................................................................................................ 6

ITEMS DEBATED

European Council................................................................................................................................. 8

–

Preparation for October European Council ............................................................................................................. 8

Follow-up to June European Council ...................................................................................................................... 8

EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region.................................................................................... 9

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

–

Improving the functioning of the EU ...................................................................................................................... 9

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

GE1ERAL AFFAIRS

–

Statute and funding of European political parties*................................................................................................ 10

Adjustment of the Council's rules of procedure to the new rules of qualified majority ........................................ 10

FOREIG1 AFFAIRS

–

EU-Ukraine Association Agreement ..................................................................................................................... 11

COMMO1 SECURITY A1D DEFE1CE POLICY

–

EULEX Kosovo .................................................................................................................................................... 11

JUSTICE A1D HOME AFFAIRS

–

EU-Nigeria agenda on migration and mobility...................................................................................................... 11

Jordan-EU mobility partnership ............................................................................................................................ 12

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund .............................................................................................................. 12

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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29 September 2014

ECO1OMIC A1D FI1A1CIAL AFFAIRS

–

Own funds requirement ......................................................................................................................................... 13

TRADE POLICY

–

Derivative contracts in trade repositories - Opening of talks with third parties .................................................... 13

TAXATIO1

–

Heating fuel - Italy................................................................................................................................................. 13

DEVELOPME1T COOPERATIO1

–

Landlocked developing countries .......................................................................................................................... 14

COMPA1Y LAW

–

Disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by large companies* ........................................................ 16

E1VIRO1ME1T

–

Invasive alien species* .......................................................................................................................................... 17

TRA1SPORT

–

Alternative fuels infrastructure*............................................................................................................................ 17

TELECOMS

–

Union for the Mediterranean: ministerial meeting on the digital economy ........................................................... 18

AGRICULTURE

–

Feedingstuffs - Particular nutritional purposes...................................................................................................... 18

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

Pesticides - transitional measures .......................................................................................................................... 20

CUSTOMS U1IO1

–

Convention on the International Transport of goods (TIR carnets)....................................................................... 20

APPOI1TME1TS

–

European Economic and Social Committee - Committee of the Regions ............................................................. 21

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PARTICIPA TS

Belgium:

Mr Didier REYNDERS

Bulgaria:

Mr Rumen ALEXANDROV

Czech Republic:

Mr Martin POVEJŠIL

Denmark:

Mr Martin LIDEGAARD

Germany:

Mr Michael ROTH

Estonia:

Mr Matti MAASIKAS

Ireland:

Mr Dara MURPHY

Greece:

Mr Dimitrios KOURKOULAS

Spain:

Mr Alfonso DASTIS QUECEDO

France:

Mr Harlem DÉSIR

Croatia:

Mr Mato ŠKRABALO

Italy:

Mr Sandro GOZI

Cyprus:

Mr Ioannis KASOULIDES

Latvia:

Mr Edgars RINKĒVIČS

Lithuania:

Mr Rolandas KRIŠČIŪNAS

Luxembourg

Mr Jean ASSELBORN

Hungary:

Mr Péter GYÖRKÖS

Malta:

Ms Marlene BONNICI

etherlands:

Mr Pieter de GOOIJER

Austria:

Mr Walter GRAHAMMER

Poland:

Mr Marek PRAWDA

Portugal:

Mr Bruno MAÇÃES

Romania:

Mr George CIAMBA

Slovenia:

Mr Rado GENORIO

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs,

External Trade and European Affairs

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs

Permanent Representative

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Permanent Representative

Minister of State for European Affairs

State Secretary for Foreign Affairs

Permanent Representative

State Secretary for European Affairs

Permanent Representative

State Secretary in charge of European Affairs

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs

Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Minister for

Immigration and Asylum

Permanent Representative

State Secretary for European Affairs

State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Permanent Representative

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Slovakia:

Mr Peter JAVORČÍK

Finland:

Ms Lenita TOIVAKKA

Sweden:

Ms Birgitta OHLSSON

United Kingdom:

Mr David LIDINGTON

State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade

Minister for EU Affairs

Minister of State for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth

Office

Commission:

Mr Ferdinando NELLI FEROCI

Member

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29 September 2014

ITEMS DEBATED

European Council

–

Preparation for October European Council

The Council discussed a draft annotated agenda, drawn up by the President of the European Council

in cooperation with the presidency and the Commission, for the European Council meeting to be

held on 23 and 24 October (12780/14).

The October European Council will focus on:

–

Climate and energy; the objective is to take a final decision on the new climate and energy

policy framework. All member states stressed the importance of reaching an agreement, in

line with the conclusions of the June European Council. Several of them considered that

further efforts were needed, in particular on the questions of energy security,

interconnections, burden sharing and flexibility mechanisms, in order to achieve that

objective.

Economic issues; the European Council will discuss the economic situation in the EU on

the basis of a presentation by the Commission and work undertaken by the Council. The

discussion made it clear that investments are key to stimulating growth and the creation of

jobs.

Other items; specific external relations issues may be addressed in the light of

developments.

–

The annotated draft agenda will serve as the basis for draft conclusions, to be prepared in the run-up

to the meeting.

–

Follow-up to June European Council

In a follow-up to the June European Council the Council took stock of the strategic agenda focusing

on the chapter on jobs, growth and competitiveness and discussed how to better implement

European Council conclusions concerning the first pillar of the strategic agenda.

The discussion was based on a presidency report (13244/14) which reviews progress in the past two

years since the Compact for Growth and Jobs was adopted. Ministers gave their assessment of

where we stand and what can be done to improve or accelerate implementation.

The implementation discussion is a new exercise launched by the presidency which at the July

General Affairs Council proposed to improve the follow-up to European Council orientations and to

focus it on the priorities set out in the strategic agenda adopted in June. The idea is to complement

the comprehensive implementation reports that are published every six months, and which cover all

sectors, by issuing monthly reports that focus on a specific pillar of the strategic agenda.

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EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region

The Council adopted conclusions on the Commission communication on the EU strategy for the

Adriatic and Ionian region (10675/14) set out in

13503/14.

A macro-regional strategy is an integrated framework to address common challenges in a given

geographical area where both member states and third countries are located. The objective is to

strengthen cooperation in order to achieve economic, social and territorial cohesion.

The EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region is aimed at helping the eight participating

countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and

Serbia) to strengthen their cooperation for the benefit of 70 million citizens. The cooperation areas

include promoting the maritime economy, preserving the marine environment, completing transport

and energy links and boosting sustainable tourism.

The EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region is expected to be endorsed by the European

Council on 23-24 October. This would be the EU's third macro-regional strategy, following the

strategy for the Baltic Sea region (2009) and the EU strategy for the Danube region (2011).

Any other business

–

Improving the functioning of the EU

The presidency briefed the Council on the first meeting of the Friends of the Presidency Group on

improving the functioning of the EU, which took place on 25 September 2014.

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

GE'ERAL AFFAIRS

Statute and funding of European political parties*

The Council adopted new rules on the statute and funding of European political parties, following a

first-reading agreement reached with the European Parliament. The rules include a regulation aimed

at helping European political parties and their affiliated political foundations to play their role of

expressing the political will of EU citizens (PE-CO1S

62/14

13274/14 ADD 1 REV 2)

and a

regulation adjusting the financial regulation to the specific needs of European political parties (PE-

CO1S 68/14

13273/14 ADD 1)

For details see press release

13652/14.

Adjustment of the Council's rules of procedure to the new rules of qualified majority

The Council adopted a decision adjusting its rules of procedure to the new rules for the calculation

of a qualified majority which, pursuant to Article 238(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the

EU, apply as from 1 November 2014. As from this date, a system of double majority of members of

the Council or the European Council and of population will replace the current rules, which are

based on a system of weighted votes.

When acting on a proposal from the Commission or the High Representative for Foreign Affairs

and Security Policy a qualified majority will require the support of at least 55% of the member

states (i.e. in the EU of 28, at least 16 member states) representing at least 65% of the EU

population (i.e. in 2014 around 328.6 million).

Until 31 March 2017, when an act is to be adopted by the Council acting by qualified majority, a

member of the Council may request that it be adopted in accordance with the rules on majority

voting in force before 1 November 2014.

For details, see

factsheet.

The Netherlands and UK delegations voted against and the Belgian delegation abstained.

The Netherlands and UK delegations voted against.

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FOREIG' AFFAIRS

EU-Ukraine Association Agreement

The Council amended the timetable for the provisional application of the EU-Ukraine Association

Agreement. For more details, see press release and the joint statement by the Council and the

Commission.

COMMO' SECURITY A'D DEFE'CE POLICY

EULEX Kosovo

The Council broadened the mandate of the European Union rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX

Kosovo). For details, see press release.

JUSTICE A'D HOME AFFAIRS

EU- igeria agenda on migration and mobility

The Council confirmed the agreement regarding the joint declaration on a Common Agenda on

Migration and Mobility between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the European Union and its

member states. The Common Agenda is the new framework which the EU and its member states

may use alongside existing frameworks, in particular the mobility partnerships, to develop

cooperation in the area of migration with relevant partner countries

The Joint declaration is expected to be signed by Nigeria and, on the EU side, the Commission and

the Presidency in the near future.

See also Commission communication

Global Approach to Migration and Mobility"

(17254/11)

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Jordan-EU mobility partnership

The Council confirmed the agreement regarding the joint declaration on a Mobility Partnership

between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the European Union and its participating member

states, in the framework of the implementation of the EU Global Approach to Migration

Mobility

partnerships are established in those cases where they can bring added value both to the EU and the

third country concerned as regards the management of migration flows.

The Joint Declaration was signed by Jordan and the twelve member states which had expressed

their intention to join the mobility partnership, as well as by the European Commission, in the

margins of the JHA Council on 9-10 October 2014.

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

The Council decided not to object to the adoption of a Commission delegated regulation

(12349/14)

laying down information and publicity measures for the public and information measures for

beneficiaries, pursuant to regulation 514/2014 laying down general provisions on the Asylum,

Migration and Integration Fund and on the instrument for financial support for police cooperation,

preventing and combating crime, and crisis management

The Commission regulation sets out minimum measures needed to inform potential beneficiaries

about the financing opportunities offered jointly by the Union and member states through the

national programmes. This will ensure that information on possible funding opportunities is

disseminated widely to all interested parties thus also promoting transparency.

The Commission regulation is subject to the so called regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This

means that now that the Council has given its consent, the delegated act will be published and enter

into force, unless the European Parliament objects.

17254/11.

OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, p. 112.

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ECO'OMIC A'D FI'A'CIAL AFFAIRS

Own funds requirement

The Council decided not to object to the adoption by the Commission of a regulation on the

calculation of the own funds requirements for firms with limited authorisation based on the fixed

overheads.

The regulation is a delegated act pursuant to article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

The act can now enter into force, unless the European Parliament objects.

TRADE POLICY

Derivative contracts in trade repositories - Opening of talks with third parties

The Council adopted a decision authorising the opening of negotiations and adopting negotiating

directives for bilateral agreements with Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea,

Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and the United States on mutual access to, and

exchange of information on, derivative contracts held in trade repositories.

TAXATIO'

Heating fuel - Italy

The Council adopted a decision authorising Italy to apply reduced rates of taxation to gas oil and

liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for heating purposes in certain particularly disadvantaged areas

under article 19 of directive 2003/96/EC.

The measure is aimed at partially offsetting the disproportionately high heating costs for residents in

certain geographical areas, such as Sardinia and small islands.

The derogation will apply from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2018. It extends an earlier

decision which expired on 31 December 2012.

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DEVELOPME'T COOPERATIO'

Landlocked developing countries

The Council adopted the following conclusions outlining the EU's key objectives and priorities for

the 2nd UN conference on landlocked developing countries, which is to take place in Vienna on 3-

5 November 2014:

"1.

The EU and its Member States (hereafter the EU) welcome the comprehensive 10-year

review conference on the ‘Implementation of the Almaty Programme of Action:

Addressing the Special Needs of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) within a

New Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit

Developing Countries’ which will be held in Vienna, Austria, on 3-5 November 2014.

The EU considers that the focus for this LLDC conference should remain on LLDC's core

areas of interest, including trade, transport, regional integration, investment and

development, based on good governance principles and internationally agreed standards.

The EU looks forward to open, productive and outcome-oriented discussions in view of

establishing the LLDC Programme of Action for the following ten years. The EU

emphasises that this future work programme should build on, and take into account,

lessons learned from the Almaty Programme of Action (2004), as well as contribute to

inclusive growth and sustainable development in its environmental, social and economic

dimensions.

The EU firmly believes that the conference and the new Programme of Action should

focus on a select number of key challenges that are common to many LLDC and of

strategic importance for their development opportunities.

(a)

Trade facilitation: The EU considers that open markets and reducing the barriers to

trade are essential to enhancing inclusive growth and sustainable development. The

EU, together with other partners, will continue to support trade facilitation in the

context of its development policy as well as through the provision of targeted Aid for

Trade. The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) approved in Bali (2013) is of

particular relevance to LLDCs. The EU is committed to continue providing

developing countries with technical assistance in order to help them to implement TF

reforms.

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29 September 2014

(b)

Aid for Trade: The EU collectively accounts for one third of all global Aid for Trade.

The EU is committed to promoting the integration of the LLDCs into the multilateral

trading system; providing continued preferential market access for LDCs and

countries most in need; working towards inclusive growth and sustainable

development; and developing more tailored, results based and coordinated Aid for

Trade. The EU also stresses the importance of the new Generalised Scheme of

Preferences (GSP) regulation which entered into force on 1 January 2014. The GSP

Rules of Origin are very favourable to LDCs.

Regional integration and cooperation: Regional integration is intended to help

enlarge regional market size, reduce the cost of inputs, enhance competitiveness and

connectivity and help attract new Foreign Direct Investment. Coordinated

multilateral action is crucial to ensure that regional initiatives on transit and trade

facilitation achieve impact taking into account interests of all riparian countries

engaged in concrete projects and initiatives. The EU supports regional cooperation

efforts and welcomes the creation of networks to address energy dependency, which

is a major source of economic vulnerability for many LLDCs. These countries will

also continue to benefit from EU support for the implementation of the Sustainable

Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative.

Trade infrastructure including transportation: The EU notes that more diverse

infrastructure networks play a significant role for growth performance in LLDCs.

Existing infrastructure gaps and administrative inefficiencies remain critical

bottlenecks that hinder economic growth in LLDCs. Enhanced interconnectivity

between places of production and points of export and import is therefore essential.

Furthermore, transportation of passengers and especially agricultural goods to

markets helps reduce poverty and is an enabling factor for universal access to health

and educational services mostly available in cities. As required investments are

considerable and public finance will not suffice, the private sector can play a critical

role to bridge this gap and blending can be used as a financing tool to encourage

private sector participation. There is need for considering questions of social,

ecological and labour standards in investment relations in order to achieve a fair and

sustainable balance between all stakeholders involved.

Economic diversification: The EU strongly supports the efforts of LLDCs to create

and maintain a sound macroeconomic environment, to identify and build upon

comparative advantages in productive and potential future promising sectors and

diversify their economies. The process of diversification will require investment in

infrastructure, supportive policy, institutional capacity (legal and regulatory

framework), education, including vocational training and a dynamic private sector.

The EU remains committed to help developing countries to eliminate restrictions to

international trade; to explore options for structural transformation by diversifying

their exports and attracting foreign investments; and to improve their productive

capacities; and to strengthen state capacities for steering sound economic policy and

sustainable development.

(c)

(d)

(e)

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The EU is fully engaged in the current work towards a new post-2015 development

agenda. The Council recalls its Conclusions of June 2013 on the Overarching Post-2015

Agenda. In this context, the EU looks forward to ensuring that the partnership with the

LLDCs evolves coherently with the commitments that will be made in the post-2015

framework."

COMPA'Y LAW

Disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by large companies*

The Council adopted a directive for the disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by

certain large companies

(PE-CO1S

47/14

and

13265/14 ADD 1).

New measures will require certain big EU companies to draw up, on a yearly basis, a statement

relating to environmental, social and employee-related matters, respect for human rights, anti-

corruption and bribery matters. The statement will have to include a description of the policies,

outcomes and the risks related to those matters.

Where a company does not pursue policies in relation to these matters, it will have to explain why

this is the case.

The new measures are aimed at strengthening the company's transparency and accountability, while

limiting any undue administrative burden, and ensuring a level playing field across the EU.

For more information see

press release

13606/14.

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E'VIRO'ME'T

Invasive alien species*

The Council adopted a regulation on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread

of invasive alien species (PE-CO1S

70/14, 13266/14 ADD 1).

The regulation lays down rules to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impacts of the

introduction and spread, both intentional and unintentional, of invasive alien species on biodiversity

and the related ecosystem services, as well as other economic and social impacts.

Invasive alien species are species that are initially transported outside their natural range across

ecological barriers, through human action, and then survive, reproduce and spread and have

negative impacts on the ecology of their new location as well as serious economic and social

consequences. It has been estimated that, of the 12 000 or so alien species that are found in the

European environment, between 10 % and 15 % have reproduced and spread, causing

environmental, economic and social damage. They are estimated to cost the EU at least EUR

12 billion per year.

See press release

13630/14.

TRA'SPORT

Alternative fuels infrastructure*

The Council adopted a directive on building up minimum infrastructure for alternative fuels across

the EU (PE-CO1S

79/14;

statements:

13267/14 ADD 1).

Under the directive, each member state will draw up an alternative fuel deployment strategy or

"national policy framework", which will set out the country's national targets for putting in place

new recharge and refuelling points for the different types of "clean fuel", such as electricity,

hydrogen and natural gas, as well as relevant supporting actions.

Together, the policy frameworks of all member states will provide long-term security for private

and public investment in vehicle and fuel technology and infrastructure roll-out.

Increased use of clean fuels is expected to reduce dependence on oil for transport and cut down its

greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion of new technologies should promote economic growth

and job creation in the EU, in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises.

For details, see press release

13660/14.

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TELECOMS

Union for the Mediterranean: ministerial meeting on the digital economy

The Council adopted a position of the EU and its member states on the draft declaration of the

Union for the Mediterranean ministerial meeting on the digital economy. This meeting will be held

on 30 September 2014 in Brussels.

AGRICULTURE

Feedingstuffs - Particular nutritional purposes

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of a Commission regulation amending directive

2008/38/EC

establishing a list of intended uses of animal feedingstuffs for particular nutritional

purposes (11839/14).

The Commission received applications to add to or modify several particular nutritional purposes

listed in the annex to directive 2008/38/EC. After assessing the dossiers included in those

applications, the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health acknowledged that the

specific composition of the feeds concerned fulfilled the particular nutritional purposes intended

and had no adverse effects on animal health, human health, the environment or animal welfare. The

applications are therefore valid and the list should therefore be amended accordingly.

This Commission regulation is 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.

Commission Directive 2008/38/EC of 5 March 2008 establishing a list of intended uses of

animal feedingstuffs for particular nutritional purposes (OJ

L 62, 6.3.2008, p. 9).

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29 September 2014

Pesticides - maximum residue levels

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of three Commission regulations amending

annexes II, III, IV and V to regulation 396/2005

as regards:

–

maximum residue levels for asulam, cyanamide, dicloran, flumioxazin, flupyrsulfuron-

methyl, picolinafen and propisochlor in or on certain products (amendment of annexes II,

III and V) (12379/14);

maximum residue levels for amitrole, dinocap, fipronil, flufenacet, pendimethalin,

propyzamide, and pyridate in or on certain products (amendment of annexes II and III)

(12392/14);

maximum residue levels for anthraquinone, benfluralin, bentazone, bromoxynil,

chlorothalonil, famoxadone, imazamox, methyl bromide, propanil and sulphuric acid in or

on certain products (amendment of annexes II, III, IV and V) (12459/14).

–

Regulation 396/2005 establishes the maximum quantities of pesticide residues permitted in products

of animal or vegetable origin intended for human or animal consumption. These maximum residue

levels (MRLs) include, on the one hand, MRLs which are specific to particular foodstuffs intended

for human or animal consumption and, on the other, a general limit which applies where no specific

MRL has been set. MRL applications are submitted 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 such as those listed above 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.

OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, p. 1.

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29 September 2014

Pesticides - transitional measures

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of Commission regulation amending regulation

283/2013

as regards the transitional measures applying to procedures concerning plant protection

products (7305/14).

Commission regulation 283/2013 laid down new data requirements for active substances. In order

to permit member states and the interested parties to prepare themselves to meet those new

requirements, those regulation sets transitional measures concerning submission of data.

Those transitional measures need to be amended in order to allow data concerning the active

substances to be submitted, in certain cases, in accordance with the requirements in force at the time

of their initial approval or renewal. The reason for this change is to preserve a uniform and

harmonized approach to the assessment of those data through their evaluation at EU level.

This Commission regulations is 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.

CUSTOMS U'IO'

Convention on the International Transport of goods (TIR carnets)

The Council adopted a decision on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, on

a proposal to amend the Customs Convention on the International Transport of goods under cover

of TIR carnets (TIR Convention 1975)

(13015/14).

Commission Regulation (EU) No 283/2013 of 1 March 2013 setting out the data

requirements for active substances, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of

the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the placing of plant protection

products on the market (OJ

L 93, 3.4.2013, p. 1).

13625/14

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29 September 2014

APPOI'TME'TS

European Economic and Social Committee - Committee of the Regions

The Council appointed Mr Michal Grzegorz MODRZEJEWSKI (Poland) 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

(13404/14).

The Council appointed Mr Bruno BOURG-BROC, Mr Michel DELEBARRE and Ms Françoise

MESNARD (France), as members of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current

term of office, which runs until 25 January 2015

(13407/14).

13625/14