The European Commission launches the ‘ImagineEU’ competition for secondary schools
In this school year, pupils in Ireland are invited to share their ideas about how to make Europe an (even) better place to live, with the chance of winning a study trip to Brussels! The competition complements the release of the toolkit “EU Democracy in Action’- Have your say with the European Citizens’ Initiative” that teachers can use to familiarise […]
Open letter to the Institutions: Europe needs more farmers
Today, in a letter to the European Commission and CAP legislators, signed by farmers’ organisations, environmental organisations, NGOs, unions, and researchers, European Coordination Via Campesina underlines the key role of small and medium-sized farmers in the resolution of current social, environmental, and food-related crises. It demands that EU policy in this pivotal moment must support and increase the […]
EPA has started a 3-year project that will improve the level of air quality information
EPA has started a 3-year project that will improve the level of air quality information available to the public and policy makers in Ireland. LIFE EMERALD is part funded by the European Commission LIFE funding programme. The main objectives are: o an operational 3-day ambient air quality forecast; o near real-time mapping of the main air […]
EU Biodiversity Strategy Must Herald Transformative Change: Green MEP Grace O’Sullivan
Welcoming today’s European Commission launch of the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, field ecologist and Green Party MEP Grace O’Sullivan said she was heartened to see the Commission moving forward to help tackle the loss of land and marine species.The Strategy has, she says, the potential to create transformative change. “With National Biodiversity Week underway […]
€100 Billion for Regions Impacted by Transition from Fossil Fuels
The European Commission has published a plan for €1 trillion in green investments. It’s money which, says the Green Party, could play an important part in transitioning Ireland into a Greener future. The plan, which includes a Just Transition Mechanism worth around €100 billion, is designed to support EU regions most affected by the transition […]
Opposition to Mercosur deal from across the livestock sector in Europe
After more than 20 years of negotiations, the European Commission reached on June 28th, 2019, on behalf of the European Union, a political agreement on a comprehensive trade agreement with Mercosur. That agreement, which will facilitate the access to the European market to almost 100 000 tonnes of south-American meat, represents a threat to the […]
Plastic crisis: taxes are vital to cut pollution, but EU plans fall short, new study finds
Taxing plastics can help lead to a responsible use of the material by triggering the necessary reduction of both production and consumption, a new report finds. However, a plastic tax will only work if designed to influence producer and consumer behaviour, rather than raising revenue. The study “The price is right … or is it? The […]
Irish Farmers To Get EU €250m Cash Flow Boost
The European Commission has agreed to increase the Basic Payment Scheme to Irish farmers from 50% to 70%. The payment, amounting to €250 million and due on October 16th, follows recent adverse weather that has caused cash-flow difficulties for 139,000 farming families. Speaking at National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore this morning, Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for […]
