ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
P6_TA(2005)0307

Export refunds for live cattle to third countries

Declaration of the European Parliament on export refunds for live cattle to third countries

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. noting that around 200000 live cattle are exported each year from the EU to Lebanon and Egypt,

B. noting that export refunds of around EUR 60 million a year have been paid in recent years for these animals and that up to EUR 77 million are available for export refunds in 2005,

C. concerned that journeys can last up to 10 days, that upon arrival animals are often handled and slaughtered by methods which are illegal under EU law, and that consequently great suffering is inflicted on the animals,

D. concerned that existing legislation is not enforced and is in any case inadequate to protect the welfare of the animals,

1. Acknowledges that the EU recognises that animals are sentient beings;

2. Calls on the Commission and the Council to bring an immediate and permanent end to the system of export refund payments on live cattle exports to third countries;

3. Calls for public funds to be spent instead on schemes which promote and protect the welfare of animals;

4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Council and the Commission:

--------------------------------------------------
52005IP0177

European Parliament resolution on the Seminar of Governmental Experts on Climate Change



Official Journal 092 E , 20/04/2006 P. 0384 - 0387
A.

whereas enhanced cooperation and good-neighbourly relations between the EU and Russia are of key importance to the stability, security and prosperity of the whole of Europe; whereas the conclusion of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Russian Federation remains of the utmost importance for a further development and intensification of cooperation between the two partners, in particular with regard to matters of political, security, economic and energy cooperation, but also with regard to respect for the rule of law, democratic principles and procedures and basic human rights,
6.

Calls on the President and Parliament of Afghanistan to take appropriate steps to speed up the development of a functional penal and judicial system based on international standards and best practices; welcomes the announcement by the Commissioner for External Relations at the Rome conference on ‘The rule of law in Afghanistan’ in July 2007 of immediate financial support to help Afghanistan strengthen the rule of law and reform its judiciary;
10.

Recalls that one way of making researchers more mobile might be the creation of a research voucher which could be used by researchers in other Member States and hosting institutions and universities, the voucher thus making available additional financial resources for the actual research that attracts foreign researchers; believes that this would not only make it more interesting for research institutions and universities to host researchers from other Member States and to attract the most talented scientists, but would also contribute to the development of centres of excellence by making it possible for the most attractive research programmes and institutions to appeal to more researchers and to improve their financial situation; believes that this extra support for researcher mobility should be additional to current mobility funding schemes and that funding could be allocated from the ‘Cooperation’ and ‘Capacity’ programmes of FP7;
48.

Notes the vital importance of research and development and innovation in the area of energy efficiency; urges Member States, regional authorities, local authorities and NGOs to take advantage of the funding available under the Seventh Framework Programme, the Structural Funds and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme/Intelligent Energy Europe, which are intended to stimulate research into energy efficiency and to promote renewable energy technologies and the development of new modes of energy transport and storage designed to reduce energy losses; urges the Commission to respond generously to calls for funding for research into energy efficiency; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that energy efficiency is given high priority in the sustained efforts that are to be made to maximise the use of EU research and technology development programmes;
29.

Stresses that the partnership, which is essential to the success of the debate, should not be limited solely to European, national and local public institutions, but should provide an opportunity, as in the past, to involve in discussions the entire economic fabric of the outermost regions, represented by structured organisations which have day-to-day experience of the impact of Community policies on the ground; calls on the Commission to submit, following the Partners' Conference, organised by the Commission, on the European strategy in relation to ORs, which is due to be held in Brussels on 14 and 15 May 2008, a new communication taking due account of the progress made at the conference;
63.

Strongly supports action to increase the use of (both suppressive and protective) emergency vaccinations, which should result in more effective disease prevention and containment as part of disease-eradication operations; draws attention to the fact that the introduction of an effective vaccination system requires income guarantees for owners of vaccinated animals who may face problems selling products from vaccinated animals and the provision of appropriate financial support in order to encourage the use of such a system and to ensure that products from vaccinated animals are not subject to any restrictions; considers it essential, furthermore, for EU vaccine banks to be expanded; also considers it necessary to apply all measures that can help to reduce the number of healthy animals slaughtered and disposed of, such as tests to prove that animals are free from pathogens, thus making normal slaughter possible;
28.

Emphasises the fact that innovative products significantly strengthen the EU's competitive advantage, representing 73 % of EU exports; notes, however, that the EU still lags behind the United States and Japan in innovation, especially in business R&D; believes, therefore, that Community funding programmes, such as the Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration activities and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme, and the European Institute for Innovation and Technology, should be exploited to their fullest; in this respect, welcomes the ‘lead market’ initiative and the Standards Action Programme as contributions to unlocking market potential for innovative products and services in specific areas of significant value to society; urges the Commission to demonstrate its commitment to better regulation in this regard and cautions against favouring certain technological solutions over others;
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 8/57

Tuesday 23 September 2008

European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism

P6_TA(2008)0439

Declaration of the European Parliament on the proclamation of 23 August as European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism

2010/C 8 E/10

The European Parliament,

having regard to the United Nations Convention on the Non-Applicability of Statutory Limitations to War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity,

having regard to the following articles of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: Article 1 — Obligation to respect human rights; Article 2 — Right to life; Article 3 — Prohibition of torture, and Article 4 — Prohibition of slavery and forced labour,

having regard to Resolution 1481 (2006) of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on the need for international condemnation of crimes of totalitarian communist regimes,

having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 23 August 1939 between the Soviet Union and Germany divided Europe into two spheres of interest by means of secret additional protocols,

B. whereas the mass deportations, murders and enslavements committed in the context of the acts of aggression by Stalinism and Nazism fall into the category of war crimes and crimes against humanity,

C. whereas, under international law, statutory limitations do not apply to war crimes and crimes against humanity,

D. whereas the influence and significance of the Soviet order and occupation on and for citizens of the post-Communist States are little known in Europe,

E. whereas Article 3 of Decision No 1904/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 establishing for the period 2007 to 2013 the programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to promote active European citizenship (1) calls for support for the action ‘Active European Remembrance’, intended to prevent any repetition of the crimes of Nazism and Stalinism,

1. Proposes that 23 August be proclaimed European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism, in order to preserve the memory of the victims of mass deportations and exterminations, and at the same time rooting democracy more firmly and reinforcing peace and stability in our continent;

2. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the parliaments of the Member States.

(1) OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 32.
9.

In view of the well-documented damage which tourism has inflicted, and continues to inflict, on a great deal of Europe's most precious natural heritage, calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that tourism, even if focused on introducing visitors to the habitats and wildlife of a wilderness area, is handled with extreme care, making full use of experience gained inside and outside Europe on how to minimise its impact, and with reference, where appropriate, to Article 6 of the Habitats Directive; models where wilderness areas are for the most part closed to access (outside of permitted scientific research), but where a limited part is opened to sustainable high-quality tourism based on the wilderness experience and economically benefiting local communities, should be considered;
37.

Emphasises the central role of sound budgetary management, based on a set of rules and procedures aimed at determining how public budgets are to be prepared, implemented and monitored in the medium term, taking account of the Member States' budgetary consolidation and the reorganisation of public expenditure, to be accompanied by a context analysis method (at Community, national and local level) and the definition of objectives, including prior and subsequent impact assessment, verification and evaluation of results and performances, and adjustment mechanisms by PBB; considers that steps should be taken to ensure that Member States' fiscal governance rules are homogeneous and context-driven in as regards both their timing and their objectives, in particular within the euro area; considers also that those fiscal governance rules should be linked to economic governance, with a view to promoting shared budgetary, economic and investment options, being geared to the same goals in order to be more effective and have a multiplier effect, and achieving significant results, which are all the more necessary in difficult economic circumstances such as those currently being experienced; takes the view that there is a danger that uncoordinated national economic revival plans may cancel each other out; notes, with this in mind, that national budgets must be drawn up on the basis of joint economic perspectives and analyses;
3.

Invites the United States to ensure that Guantánamo detainees are granted their human rights and fundamental freedoms, on the basis of international and US constitutional law, and: — that any detainee against whom the United States has sufficient evidence is properly tried without delay in a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent, impartial tribunal and, if convicted, imprisoned in the United States, — that any detainee who is not to be charged and who chooses voluntarily to be repatriated is returned to his home country as quickly and expeditiously as possible, — that any detainee who is not to be charged but cannot be repatriated owing to a real risk of torture or persecution in his home country is given the opportunity to be admitted to the United States, offered humanitarian protection on the United States mainland and afforded redress;
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 137/28

Thursday 2 April 2009

Role of culture in the development of European regions

P6_TA(2009)0214

European Parliament resolution of 2 April 2009 on the role of culture in the development of European regions

2010/C 137 E/06

The European Parliament,

having regard to the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions,

having regard to the Council Conclusions of 24 May 2007 on the contribution of the cultural and creative sectors to the achievement of the Lisbon objectives (1),

having regard to Decision No 1855/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2006 establishing the Culture Programme (2007 to 2013) (2),

having regard to its resolution of 10 April 2008 on cultural industries in Europe (3),

having regard to its resolution of 10 April 2008 on a European agenda for culture in a globalising world (4),

having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the cultural soul of Europe is becoming increasingly important as a means of bringing European citizens together in a manner which respects differing cultural and linguistic identities,

B. whereas the cultures of Europe are strategic factors in Europe's development at local, regional and national levels, as well as at the level of its central European institutions,

C. whereas cities and regions are becoming European players as they share the European idea and contribute to the development of the European Union,

D. whereas cultural projects based on civil-society initiatives appear to be effective in strengthening and developing the regions,

E. whereas regional conferences are an excellent way for civil society to put forward their projects and proposals, exchange best practices and conduct dialogue between responsible parties,

1. Stresses that regional and local development strategies that incorporate culture, creativity and the arts contribute very much to improving quality of life in European regions and cities by fostering cultural diversity, democracy, participation and intercultural dialogue;

2. Calls on the Commission to present a Green Paper with a possible range of measures for contemporary cultural activities aimed at strengthening cultural development in European regions;

3. Calls on the Commission together with regional authorities and local civil society to support regional conferences;

4. Calls for action and awareness campaigns about the role of cultural projects for regional development;

5. Calls on the parties concerned to work towards speedy and efficient implementation of such projects;

6. Expects the Commission at the earliest opportunity to present to Parliament the study on the influence of culture at regional and local levels, together with the conclusions and actions which the Commission intends to draw from it;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Committee of the Regions.

(1) OJ C 311, 21.12.2007, p. 7.

(2) OJ L 372, 27.12.2006, p. 1.

(3) Text adopted, P6_TA(2008)0123.

(4) Text adopted, P6_TA(2008)0124.
1.

Calls for an immediate ceasefire by the Sri Lankan army and the LTTE in order to allow the civilian population to leave the combat zone; condemns all acts of violence and intimidation which are preventing civilians from leaving the conflict area;
3.

Wishes, as a co-legislator, to stress the need to create a permanent crisis mechanism which is credible, robust, lasting and grounded in the essential technical realities, and which should be adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure and inspired by the Community method, in order, on the one hand, to strengthen Parliament’s involvement and improve democratic accountability and, on the other, to draw on the expertise, independence and impartiality of the Commission; urges the European Council, therefore, to provide an adequate legal basis, in the framework of revision of the TFEU, for this purpose;
8.

Believes that egg producers and Member States that have made the effort to comply with Directive 1999/74/EC should not be penalised through unfair and illegal competition, in particular in the form of eggs and egg products imported from third countries; emphasises that eggs not produced in compliance with Directive 1999/74/EC cannot be legally marketed or be part of internal trade in the EU; urges the Commission, therefore, to take measures to avoid trade distortions and prevent non-compliant producers from exporting beyond their national territory;
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 348/37

Thursday 25 February 2010

Transportation of horses for slaughter

P7_TA(2010)0040

Declaration of the European Parliament of 25 February 2010 on the transportation of horses for slaughter in the European Union

2010/C 348 E/05

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas every year approximately 100 000 horses are transported unnecessarily long distances under inhumane conditions into and across the European Union for slaughter,

B. whereas there is well-documented evidence showing that horses are being transported over long distances, causing a variety of welfare problems such as serious injury, disease, exhaustion and dehydration, because of the inadequacies of the existing legislation,

C. whereas there is strong evidence to suggest that Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations has not been robustly enforced,

D. whereas a review of Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 is being carried out by the Commission,

1. Notes the petition collected by World Horse Welfare on the long-distance transportation of horses to slaughter in Europe;

2. Calls on the Commission and Member States effectively to scrutinise World Horse Welfare’s dossier of evidence in the context of the Commission’s review of Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005;

3. Urges the Member States and the European Commission to robustly enforce Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005;

4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories (1), to the Council, the Commission, and the parliaments and government of the Member States.

(1) The list of signatories is published in Annex 1 to the Minutes of 25 February 2010 (P7_PV(2010)02-25(ANN1)).
EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 161/62

Tuesday 18 May 2010

Union's efforts in combating corruption

P7_TA(2010)0176

Declaration of the European Parliament of 18 May 2010 on the Union's efforts in combating corruption

2011/C 161 E/09

The European Parliament,

having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. concerned that corruption undermines the rule of law, leads to the misuse of EU funds provided by the taxpayer, and distorts the market, having played a role in the current economic crisis,

B. whereas the Union has ratified the UN Convention against Corruption, and 78 % of Union citizens agree that corruption is a major concern in their country (Eurobarometer, December 2009),

C. having regard to the emphasis placed by Parliament on combating corruption in its resolution on the Stockholm Programme regarding freedom, security and justice,

D. noting the International Day against Corruption (9 December), on which this declaration is launched,

1. Urges the European institutions to adopt a comprehensive anti-corruption policy and create a clear mechanism for monitoring the situation in the Member States on a regular basis;

2. Calls on the Commission to provide all necessary resources to implement this monitoring mechanism and ensure that its conclusions and findings are followed up effectively;

3. Calls on the Commission and the relevant Union agencies to take all necessary measures and provide sufficient resources to ensure that EU funds are not subject to corruption, and to adopt dissuasive sanctions where corruption and fraud are found;

4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories (1), to the Council, the Commission, and the Member States.

(1) The list of signatories is published in Annex 1 to the Minutes of 18 May 2010 (P7_PV(2010)05-18(ANN1)).
43.

Welcomes the previous attempts to integrate environmental considerations as an integral part of the common agricultural policy (CAP), such as the introduction of agri-environment measures and good agricultural and environmental conditions; calls on the Commission to use the reform of the CAP as an opportunity to further enhance this trend, working towards fully sustainable farming in the EU, whereby the benefits to nature constitute a guiding principle, for example through the introduction of remuneration for eco-services or the delivery of well defined public goods, including sustainable farming in ecologically sensitive areas, such as Natura 2000 sites, so as to ensure that sustainable ways of farming are funded in the future, that where good practice exists it is properly rewarded and encouraged and that farmers are not financially or otherwise disadvantaged, thus creating the conditions for farms to be able to continue contributing to biodiversity in the future;
6.

Considers it important to make clear that older people with and without disabilities and workers approaching retirement age are not a burden on the economy and society and do not constitute an obstacle to modernisation in work processes, but rather – through their experience, their achievements, their knowledge and their greater loyalty to their place of work – a dependable asset and significant added value; considers it important to fight prejudice and discrimination in all its forms and towards all groups of society and to work towards a society where older people are treated equally as human beings with fundamental rights; notes that the EU policy on older people is based on the principle of ‘society for all’ and that all projected policy measures must therefore serve in every way to reinforce that understanding; is convinced that every opportunity should be offered in all Member States for people of different ages to participate actively in society, irrespective of their age; points out that young people are the future, meaning that policymakers must take into account the modernisation of society and participation by all;
29.

Is aware that the current system of EU funding in support of European standardisation often leads to frustration in terms of rule changes, the high cost of auditing and delays in the authorisation of payments; stresses that there is an urgent need to reduce these costs and the high administrative burden that at times outweigh the benefits of the financial support provided, while respecting EU financial rules; calls on the Commission and all stakeholders to ensure the financial sustainability of the system, including through public-private partnerships and through multiannual financial planning, which is essential to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency in global competition; considers that the Commission and the ESOs could improve their cooperation in order to guarantee a stable and user-friendly framework for the EU financial contribution to European standardisation which will increase significantly the efficiency of the system;