European Commission : Daily News 27 / 01 / 2017

European Commission imposes anti-dumping duties on steel products from China and Taiwan

The Commission decided today to impose definitive anti-dumping measures on two steel products originating in China and Taiwan. The Commission's investigation confirmed that Chinese and Taiwanese stainless steel tube and pipe butt-welding fittings had been sold in Europe at dumped prices. Chinese exports will now be taxed with anti-dumping duties ranging from 30.7% to 64.9%. Taiwanese exports will face anti-dumping duties ranging from 5.1% to 12.1%. These products are used to join pipes and tubes of stainless steel, and are commonly used in various industries such as petro-chemical, food processing, and shipbuilding as well as energy generation and construction. The EU currently has an unprecedented number of trade defence measures in place targeting unfair imports of steel products, with a total of 39 anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures, 17 of which are on products originating from China. The Commission has been using the available toolbox of trade defence instruments to the full extent possible, while seeking the approval of Member States and the European Parliament for its proposals to make the toolbox better suited to the current reality of international trade. In addition to that, the EU is tackling the root causes of overcapacity in the global steel industry through active involvement in the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity launched last December. More information is available in today's EU official journal. (For more information: Daniel Rosario - Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Axel Fougner - Tel.: [phone])

Commission awards €218 million in grants for post-doctoral researchers

The European Commission has today announced the results of the 2016 bid for post-doctoral research funding from the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions, part of the EU's Horizon 2020 programme. Almost 1 200 researchers with the highest potential to make a game-changing impact on our society and economy were awarded grants totalling more than €218 million. As not all high quality bids could be selected due to funding constraints, all Individual Fellowship proposals with a score of 85% or above which cannot be funded will, for the first time, receive a Seal of Excellence. Those applicants who have just missed out will be able to use this Seal to encourage other funders, at national or regional level, to finance their project instead. The Seal will also encourage the use of the European Structural and Investment Funds to create attractive opportunities for researchers. Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics, said: 'I am delighted that today we are recognising the potential of hundreds of excellent, internationally mobile researchers. The projects they will work on will help tackle the biggest challenges facing our societies.And the new Seal of Excellence further strengthens the most popular EU programme supporting researchers.' November 2016 saw the launch of year-long celebrations marking the 20 anniversary of the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions, a programme dedicated to boosting excellence by supporting the human resources that drive research and innovation. Please add link to factsheet (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt - Tel.: [phone]; Joseph Waldstein - Tel.: [phone])

Antimicrobial resistance: Commission launches public consultation on new Action Plan

Today, the Commission launches a public consultation on possible activities to include in the new 'One Health' Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) it plans to adopt by summer 2017. The consultation includes a questionnaire for public administrations and stakeholders and a questionnaire for citizens, to ensure that everyone has their voice heard on how best the Action Plan can support EU countries in the fight against AMR. The consultation will run until 28 April 2017. AMR is a growing global health threat carrying a significant societal and economic burden. In the EU alone, AMR is responsible for 25 000 deaths and over EUR 1.5 billion of healthcare costs and productivity losses annually. Given its severity, AMR is a political priority within the EU and the European Commission has been committed to combatting it since 1999 with a 'One Health' approach which recognises that the health of people, animals and the environment are inextricably linked. The new Action Plan will build on the evaluationof the existing one, expanding towards innovative approaches, whilst ensuring the continuation of EU actions that are still needed. It will focus on activities with a clear EU added value and, where possible, on measurable and concrete outcomes. This wide reaching public consultation should contribute towards the common goal of preserving the efficacy of antimicrobials, strengthening infection control and stimulating innovation into new treatments. To participate in the public consultation, and for more information on AMR see online. (For more information: Enrico Brivio - Tel.: + 32 229 56172; Aikaterini Apostola - Tel.: [phone])

La Commission approuve une nouvelle indication géographique protégée de France

La Commission européenne a approuvé la demande d'inscription de la «Raclette de Savoie» dans le registre des indications géographiques protégées (IGP). Fromage se présentant sous la forme d'une meule ronde, la «Raclette de Savoie» est fabriquée en Savoie et Haute-Savoie ainsi que dans certaines communes des départements de l'Ain et de l'Isère. La «Raclette de Savoie» trouve ses origines au Moyen Âge, lorsque les bergers consommaient principalement en été, un «fromage rôti»: une demi-meule de fromage placée devant un feu de bois était alors fondue. C'est seulement au début du XXe siècle que le nom de «raclette» est apparu, en référence à l'action de racler la surface fondue du fromage pour la déposer sur les pommes de terre dans l'assiette. Le développement du tourisme de masse des sports d'hiver dans les années 1970 a ensuite contribué à la notoriété de la «Raclette de Savoie» comme fromage emblématique consommé à ces occasions. Cette nouvelle appellation - la 239 de France - va rejoindre plus de 1380 produits déjà protégés dont la liste est disponible dans la base de données DOOR. Pour plus d'informations, voir aussi les pages sur la politique de qualité. (pour plus d'information: Daniel Rosario - Tel: [phone];Clémence Robin - Tel: [phone])

State aid: Commission approves modifications to Banco CEISS restructuring plan

The European Commission has found an amendment to the Spanish bank Banco CEISS' restructuring plan to be in line with EU state aid rules. In March 2014, the Commission had approved Banco CEISS' integration with Unicaja in the framework of the bank's restructuring plan. In this context, Spain had committed to list Unicaja Banco by the end of 2016, in order to strengthen the viability of the group. However, due to a combination of circumstances, including adverse market conditions and the political uncertainty in Spain during that period, the listing of the bank could have been put at risk of failure. The Spanish authorities therefore requested an extension of the deadline. The new deadline is kept confidential to protect the effectiveness of the process. To compensate for this delay, Spain submitted additional commitments, in particular supplementary restructuring measures and an earlier repayment of the aid. The Commission concluded that the proposed measures will have no negative impact on the viability of Banco CEISS and preserve the balance in terms of burden-sharing and compensatory measures in the 2014 decision. On this basis, it has approved the prolongation. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.47174.(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso - Tel.: [phone]; Yizhou Ren - Tel.: [phone])

EUROSTAT: Troisième trimestre 2016 - Le revenu réel des ménages par habitant en hausse dans la zone euro et quasi stable dans l'UE28 - La consommation réelle par habitant en hausse dans les deux zones

Dans la zone euro, en termes réels, le revenu des ménages par habitant a augmenté de 0,2% au troisième trimestre 2016, après avoir augmenté également de 0,2% au trimestre précédent. La consommation réelle des ménages par habitant a progressé de 0,3% au troisième trimestre 2016, après une hausse de 0,1% au deuxième trimestre 2016. Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: [phone]; Sara Soumillion - Tel.: [phone])

STATEMENTS

Joint Statement by Vice-President Ansip and Commissioner Jourová ahead of the 2017 Data Protection day

'Tomorrow, 28 January marks European Data Protection Day. Personal data protection is a fundamental right in the European Union; it is part of the European DNA and deserves the highest protection standards. 2016 was a historical year for data protection in the EU. We agreed on a data protection reform that will help stimulate the Digital Single Market in the EU by fostering consumer trust in online services and by providing legal certainty for businesses based on clear and uniform rules. We are now working to ensure that the rules work in practice. Strong data protection rules are the basis for the Digital Single Market to prosper. They are the foundations on which we can ensure the free flow of data across borders. Where people trust that their personal data is protected, they are more likely to use services and new technologies. Just two weeks ago, the Commission proposed revised legislation to better ensure a high level of privacy in electronic communications. The updated ePrivacy rules protect consumers' communications content and metadata regardless of the services used, while opening up new opportunities for business. (…) In 2017, we will build on the important achievements to ensure that citizens and businesses benefit from strong and clear data protection rules. We want to make the EU data protection standard a global standard. Thefull statement is available here, as well as an infographic and factsheets. (For more information: Christian Wigand- Tel.: [phone]; Nathalie Vandystadt - Tel.: [phone])

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Stylianides in Pafos, Cyprus

On 28 January, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides will be in Cyprus to speak at the opening ceremony of the European Capital of Culture Pafos. Under the theme 'Linking Continents, Bridging Cultures', the city of Pafos uses different art forms and many events showcasing past centuries of culture as well as addressing the socio-economic problems facing Europe today. Pafos is the first Cypriot city to host a European Capital of Culture, as the city embraces its experiences of multiculturalism and its geographical proximity to the Middle East and North Africa to strengthen relations between countries and cultures. (For more information: Carlos Martín Ruiz de Gordejuela - Tel.: + 32 229-65322; Christina Wunder - Tel.: [phone])

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