Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA

Policy topics Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA is active on

What Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA has said (36)

• 2026-06-17 “Madam chair, ladies and gentlemen, we are not with witnessing, an incidental crisis. This is the crisis of mental health of adolescents that has been ignored for years while Internet platforms build up their profits. Why are we accepting a standard which is not being, approved of any any other sector? We do not allow to commercialize medicines that have not been tested or to sell toys for children whose safety has not been proven, but we allow our children to be, at risk of systems every day, systems that were not created to protect them, but to monetize their attention. Infinite likes scrolling. This is the true architecture of dependency. While the young are only building their values and their confidence, we are giving them away to algorithms. Europe was a leader in protecting privacy, and now we need to speed up to protect the children.”
  EU policy on mental health
• 2026-03-04 “Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission 11.5.2026 Written question The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notification from November 2025 followed a Commission audit in Brazil. It was during this audit that the Commission’s auditors identified beef consignments containing products from female cattle treated with oestradiol. The Commission promptly shared this information with all Member States that received potentially affected consignments. The Commission conducts regular audits on exporting countries, like Brazil, with publicly available reports describing any non-compliance and prompting corrective actions by the competent authorities. The effectiveness of these actions is followed up by the Commission. In this case, upon Commission’s request, Brazil delisted the farm where non-compliances were identified, from the list of farms authorised for export of bovine meat to the EU. Brazil also suspended the activity of the certification body, until it is proved that all shortcomings have been remedied and effective controls are in place. Consequently, all farms certified by this certification body are also suspended. A follow-up audit will be conducted to verify the effectiveness of the Brazil’s action plan and to ensure and maintain the EU high food safety standards. The EU plans to enhance its controls of compliance with EU requirements by increasing its audits of countries exporting to the EU by 50% over the next two years and of border posts in charge of the control of imported products and animals by 33% [1] . [1] As announced during the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare implementation dialogue on import controls: https://food.ec.europa.eu/events/implementation-dialogue-import-controls-commissioner-oliver-varhelyi-2025-12-09_en.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur · Import of agri-food products in the EU
• 2026-03-04 “Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission 11.5.2026 Written question 1. Several instruments are available at EU and national level. The Single Market Programme (SMP) [1] co-finances emergency veterinary measures, including compensation for the killing of animals in outbreak farms and, preventive killing in farms at risk. In addition, Article 220 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 [2] may allow support, at Member State’s request, for market losses linked to animal movement restrictions [3] . Under current state aid rules, Member States can grant aid of up to 100% to cover the costs of prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases and aid to compensate animal diseases’ damages. Aid can be granted under the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation (ABER) [4] or Agricultural state aid Guidelines [5] , and limited support through the Agricultural de minimis Regulation [6] . The Polish CAP Strategic Plan [7] also provides support notably: for biosecurity investments to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), on livestock insurance premiums and on co-financing reciprocal funds. Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Plans may also support the restoration of agricultural potential on infected farms [8] , while the recently approved CAP simplification package [9] provides for crisis payments for farmers facing losses resulting from outbreak events. 2. ASF EU rules are risk- and science-based [10] , aligned with international standards [11] and consider experience while remaining adaptable to local circumstances and epidemiological situations within limits that can ensure an effective eradication. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 [12] provides for safe derogations for the movement of live animals and products from restricted zones, within or outside those zones and beyond the Member State concerned, following the risk-based approach. [1] Single Market Programme: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/690/oj. [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1308/2024-11-08. [3] These measures are by nature limited in time, for the duration strictly necessary to support the market concerned and they require a clear start and end of the episode, and all losses specifically documented before the Commission can design a measure and propose it for the opinion of the Member States. [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?toc=OJ%3AL%3A2022%3A327%3ATOC&uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2022.327.01.0001.01.ENG. [5] With prior notification; guidelines for state aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas (OJ C 485, 21.12.2022, p. 1). [6] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1408/oj/eng. [7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R2115&qid=1757948393327. [8] Under Article 73 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/2115/oj. [9] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0236. [10] https://open.efsa.europa.eu/questions/EFSA-Q-2020-00197; https://open.efsa.europa.eu/questions/EFSA-Q-2022-00381. [11] World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health code 31st Edition, 2023. Volumes I and II ISBN 978-92-95121-74-4: https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/ . [12] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/594/oj .”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• 2026-02-18 “E-000684/2026 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission Germany has invoked serious security risks posed by a persistently high level of illegal migration, the strain on the German asylum reception system, and the impact of the global security situation, in particular Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the security situation in the Middle East as justifications for prolongation of internal border control. The Commission has been conducting consultations with the Member States concerned to support them with alternative and mitigating measures 1 . The Commission is currently assessing all reintroductions of internal border control carried out by the Member States concerned, in line with the revised Schengen Borders Code 2 . No complaint has been lodged under Article 259 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 3 . 1 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/268 of 23 November 2023 on cooperation between the Member States with regard to serious threats to internal security and public policy in the area without internal border controls. OJ L 2024/268, 17.1.2024: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2024/268/oj/eng. 2 Regulation (EU) 2024/1717 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders. OJ L 2024/1717, 20.6.2024: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202401717. 3 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (consolidated version). OJ C 326, 26.10.2012: https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A12012E%2FTXT.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-10-01 “E-003833/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné On behalf of the European Commission Access to raw materials is essential for the EU economy, our clean and digital transitions and the functioning of the internal market. The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) 1 that entered into force in 2024, and the recently adopted RESourceEU initiative 2 aim to ensure access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. Directives 2000/60/EC 3 , 92/43/EEC 4 or 2009/147/EC 5 set out specific requirements for projects potentially affecting the environment, including proof that the project is of overriding public interest. The CRMA provides that, given the role of critical raw materials in ensuring the EU’s security of supply for strategic raw materials, strategic projects shall be considered to be of public interest or serving public health and safety and may be considered to have an overriding public interest. Therefore, strategic projects having an adverse impact on the environment may be authorised if the national permitting authority assesses that the public interest served by a strategic project overrides any adverse impacts on the environment. This is done based on a case-by-case assessment. To enable a simpler and more harmonised implementation in Member States of the EU law on environmental permitting, including aspects relating to the mining sector, the Commission has announced in the RESourceEU initiative, that it will issue a guidance document in the first quarter of 2026. In addition to the guidance, by the second quarter of 2026, the Commission will review and revise the Water Framework Directive 6 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202401252. 2 https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/01c448d6-dc93-40d7-9afe-4c2af448d00c_en. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02000L0060-20141120. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:01992L0043-20250714. 5 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02009L0147-20190626. 6 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02000L0060-20141120.”
  Sourcing of critical raw materials · EU policy on water management · Water pollution
• 2025-04-11 “E-001502/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission According to the information available on the European Industrial Emissions Portal 1 , no derogation has been reported for the concerned installation and the Commission has not received any notifications of derogations as of April 2025. However, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) 2 contains a specific emission limit value for sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from multi-fuel firing combustion plants within a refinery, set at 1000 milligrams per normal cubic meter for certain plants 3 . The Commission is currently assessing whether or not this provision applies to PCK Schwedt. In addition, in 2022 the Commission assessed the implementation by Member States of integrated emission management techniques in mineral oil and gas refineries, as allowed by Implementing Decision 2014/738/EU 4 . The conclusion of this assessment was that these management techniques were applied correctly for SO2 emissions in the case of PCK Schwedt 5 . The Commission prioritises its enforcement efforts on cases pointing to a systemic breach of EU law 6 . Pending the verification mentioned above, at this stage the Commission does not have elements pointing to such a systemic breach in this case. 1 https://industry.eea.europa.eu/. 2 Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control), OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17–119. 3 IED Annex V part 7 - Average emission limit values for multi-fuel firing combustion plants within a refinery. 4 Commission Implementing Decision 2014/738/EU of 9 October 2014 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions, for the refining of mineral oil and gas (notified under document C(2014) 7155), OJ L 307, 28.10.2014, p. 38–82. 5 Analysis and assessment of member states reports under decision 2014/768/EU on integrated emission management techniques applied in mineral oil and gas refineries - final report https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/06f33a94-9829-4eee-b187-21bb783a0fbf/library/1da74e93-af33-49bc-8c531981896a9b8c/details. 6 As set out in the Communication of 19 January 2017 (EU law: Better results through better application C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10–20) and in the Communication of 13 October 2022 COM(2022) 518 final - Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers.”
  Air quality policy · Industrial emissions directive (IED)
• 2025-03-21 “E-001209/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission 1. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) enables the EU to achieve its climate targets at the lowest cost by allowing the market to set the carbon price. It also has in-built features to protect industries such as steel from carbon leakage (displacement of production and emissions to outside the EU). These include free allocation of emission allowances, the possibility of State aid to compensate indirect carbon costs for electro-intensive production (such as electric arc furnaces), and the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). As such, the Commission has no plans to suspend the ETS, but is preparing a comprehensive review of the ETS Directive by 31 July 2026, as required under the existing Directive. 2. Steel overcapacity continues to grow across regions, as evidenced in the latest review of the steel safeguard measure. Tackling unfair trade remains a priority for the Commission and it is fully committed to ensuring a robust use of trade defence instruments. The Commission will continue to take all necessary measures to protect the steel industry against unfair and injurious trading practices. In addition, an increasing number of trade barriers are being erected in many third countries. Therefore, the European Steel and Metals Action Plan 1 announced that by the third quarter of 2025 at the latest, the Commission will propose a longterm measure providing a highly effective level of protection to the EU’s steel sector. It will take into account changes in EU demand as well as security and resilience considerations, while preserving a certain level of openness in the EU market. The Commission will also conduct by the end of 2025 a comprehensive review of CBAM, accompanied by an anticircumvention strategy. 1 https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-steel-and-metals-action-plan_en.”
  "Buy European" provisions · Climate efforts
• 2025-03-20 “E-001204/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation 1 (AMMR) foresees a mandatory but flexible solidarity mechanism, whereby each Member State has full discretion to choose between the available forms of solidarity, namely relocation, financial contributions and alternative measures (in-kind support). The AMMR also foresees possible deduction of solidarity contributions in cases of migratory pressure or significant migratory situations. As Guardian of the Treaties, the Commission monitors the correct application, implementation and enforcement of EU law and may take appropriate legal action in line with the treaties to ensure compliance. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1351/oj/eng.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-03-20 “E-001205/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission In the Steel and Metals Action Plan 1 , the Commission recognises the importance of using scrap in Europe to decarbonise the steel and metals industries, as well as the current trend of increasing scrap exports. To reverse this trend, it is necessary to work both on the demand and on the supply side. On the demand side, the Commission will prepare the setting of targets for recycled steel and aluminium in key sectors and assess the need for recyclability and/or recycled content requirements for additional product groups. On the supply side, the Commission is monitoring the situation and will consider proposing, by the third quarter of 2025 at the latest, a trade measure if necessary to ensure sufficient availability of scrap in the EU. Furthermore, the Circular Economy Act, announced for the fourth quarter of 2026, aims to improve the functioning of secondary raw material markets and to create a single market for waste. In the same context, the Commission will examine if additional measures such as export fees or export duties are appropriate. Lastly, the classification of scrap qualities will be refined to better match the supply of secondary raw materials with the demand in the EU. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_805.”
  Sourcing of critical raw materials · Circular economy
• 2025-02-13 “E-000681/2025 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission The agreement between the EU and the Mercosur represents a key geostrategic and economic interest for the EU, particularly under the current threats to the global trade order. The agreement creates new opportunities for EU agri-food products in the highly protected Mercosur markets, by eliminating duties on key EU products. It also protects EU sensitive products, such as beef, poultry and sugar, through carefully calibrated tariff rate quotas, which are limited to a very small share of EU consumption, and robust safeguards in case of adverse market effects. Economic studies carried out by the Commission confirm that the market impact of the Mercosur agreement for EU sensitive products would be very limited 1 . Although these studies are carried out at EU level, it is unlikely that there would be a disproportionate impact on a particular region or Member State, such as Poland, given that potential increased import flows are expected to be absorbed by the whole EU internal market. Moreover, one study commissioned by a national administration broadly confirms the results of the EU-wide studies 2 . In addition, the Commission will develop a Unity Safety Net to protect Member States ‘in the unlikely event that the agricultural market situation in the EU is negatively impacted following the implementation of the Agreement’ that will include the announced EUR 1 billion reserve in the context of the proposal for the next multiannual financial framework. Finally, the Commission is currently analysing the economic impact of the EU-Mercosur agreement negotiated outcome, which is expected to be presented by the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament simultaneously with the proposal for signature and conclusion of the agreement. 1 Sustainability Impact Assessment in support of the Association Agreement negotiations between the EU and Mercosur: https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/analysis-and-assessment/sustainability-impact-assessments_en; Cumulative economic impact of upcoming trade agreements on EU agriculture: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC135540. 2 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c8a6-economic-and-sustainability-impact-assessment-for-ireland-of-the-eumercosur-trade-agreement/.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU · Trade relations with Mercosur
• 2025-01-21 “E-000257/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to protecting freedom of expression as one of the fundamental rights both offline and online. The Digital Services Act (DSA) 1 aims to provide a safe, predictable and trusted online environment that facilitates innovation and protects the fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter 2 ), such as the freedom of expression. The DSA does not regulate online content, nor does it define what constitutes illegal content 3. The DSA sets out rules and responsibilities for online intermediaries to tackle illegal content (as defined in national and EU law), while safeguarding freedom of expression and information. The enforcement of orders falls under the competence of the relevant national judicial or administrative authorities 4 . Nothing in the DSA can be read as permitting the arbitrary use of power. The risk of arbitrary use of powers is mitigated by minimum conditions 5 on issuing and processing of orders of national authorities. These require the possibility of effective remedy and transparency, by informing users about content removal and reasons thereof, and applicable means of redress. The Commission notes that decisions of the President of the Office of Electronic Communications are subject to such judicial control and that the DSA sets out clear independence criteria for the Digital Services Coordinators, who are to perform their tasks in an impartial, transparent and independent manner 6 . The Commission will remain vigilant concerning compliance with the above requirements for Digital Services Coordinators under the DSA. 1 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), OJ L 277, 27.10.2022, p. 1–102 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/2065/oj/eng 2 Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, OJ C 326, 26.10.2012, p. 391–407:https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/char_2012/oj/eng 3 Article 3(h) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065. 4 Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065. 5 Idem. 6 Article 50 of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms · Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• 2024-12-05 “E-002790/2024 E-002902/2024 Answer given by Mr Šefčovič on behalf of the European Commission Pushchairs, whether imported or manufactured in the EU, are not subject to origin marking. The Union Customs Code (UCC) establishes that imported products originate in the country where they underwent their last substantial, economically justified transformation 1 . Usually, simple assembly does not confer origin. Were the Commission to propose a label certifying EU origin, it could take into consideration the origin criteria set out in the UCC. The EU has several trade defence instruments, such as anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duties, to protect European production against unfair international trade. EU industry can contact the complaints office of the Directorate-General for Trade for advice 2 . The increase of the EU customs duties for pushchairs may not be the appropriate policy tool, especially since the maximum bound rates authorised for the EU under its World Trade Organization commitments for pushchairs correspond to the applied most favoured nation rates. On 17 May 2023 the Commission proposed a comprehensive Customs Reform package 3 to strengthen EU customs’ capacity to monitor the import of goods from third countries. This includes the creation of a new EU Customs Authority and an EU Customs Data Hub, which will centralise data to improve, amongst others, targeting of unsafe products. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) 4 introduces a digital product passport to store sustainability information on products, accessible electronically, helping economic actors take informed decisions and proving regulatory compliance. The first ESPR working plan, prioritising products, will be adopted in April 2025, but pushchairs are not prioritised 5 . 1 Article 60(2) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code. 2 https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/glossary/single-entry-point 3 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52023PC0258 4 Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, amending Directive (EU) 2020/1828 and Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and repealing Directive 2009/125/EC, https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj/eng 5 Based on the Joint Research Centre’s preparatory work, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation: Study on new product priorities, https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC138903”
  Trade relations with China · "Buy European" provisions
• 2024-10-23 “E-002240/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 1. In her political guidelines, the President of the Commission emphasized the need for a strengthened cohesion and growth policy with regions at the centre. The policy must be designed in partnership with national, regional and local authorities and address regional and social disparities. Furthermore, in its Communication on the 9 th Cohesion Report, adopted on 27 March 2024 1 , the Commission underscored the importance of partnership and multi-level governance. As the Commission develops the Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, these founding principles will need to be preserved. Regional and local authorities will need to be at the core of the design and implementation of future cohesion policy to ensure the broadest possible ownership. 2. A thorough analysis of subsidiarity is necessary for all impact assessments accompanying legislative initiatives in areas which do not fall under the exclusive competence of the EU. In addition, every politically sensitive or important legislative proposal that is accompanied by an impact assessment includes a subsidiarity assessment grid assessing whether EU action is justified in light of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. 1 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the 9th Cohesion Report (COM(2024)149, adopted by the College on 27 March 2024): https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/information-sources/cohesion-report_en”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-10-23 “E-002239/2024 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The health of farm animals and the sustainability of the agricultural sector are top priorities for the Commission, and it will continue to monitor the situation closely to identify further measures that may become necessary. Currently a comprehensive ‘Animal Health Law’ 1 supports the EU livestock sector, replacing a huge number of previous legal acts with a single Regulation that is directly applicable in all Member States. In addition, the EU adopted a harmonised set of specific rules and guidelines on African swine fever (ASF) preparedness and control as well as regionalisation, guaranteeing the safe trade of pigs and pig products from disease-free areas 2,3,4 . On this basis, and thanks to its regionalisation policy, the EU can continue to trade pigs and pig products. Biosecurity and movement control are key for the control of ASF and provide for sustainability of the pig sector. Since 2014, more than EUR 230 million have been granted from the EU budget through veterinary programmes 5 and emergency measures 6 to support the fight against ASF in Member States and in neighbouring candidate countries. As regards vaccine development against ASF, there are three on-going projects 7 for a total of EUR 20 million. Support to farmers for improving on-farm biosecurity is available in Rural Development Programmes 8 and in Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plans 9 , if programmed by Member States. Compensation for prevention, control and eradication of ASF is also possible within the framework of state aid rules 10,11 . 1 OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj 2 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, as regards rules for the prevention and control of certain listed diseases (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 64). 3 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/594 of 16 March 2023 laying down special disease control measures for African swine fever (OJ L 79, 17.3.2023, p. 65–150. http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/594/oj 4 Commission Notice on the guidelines on the prevention, control and eradication of African swine fever in the Union ('ASF guidelines') (OJ C, C/2023/1504, 18.12.2023, http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1504/oj) 5 https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/single-market-programme-food/veterinary-programmes/2021-2022programme-implementation_en 6 https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontal-topics/funding-procurement-grants/food-chain-funding/funding-animalhealth-measures/emergency-measures_en 7 VACDIVA: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/862874; ASFaVIP https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101136676 ; VAX4ASF https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101136439 8 Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 487). 9 Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013. 10 See Section 1.2.1.3 of the Guidelines for state aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas (OJ C 485, 21.12.2022, p. 1) and Article 26 of Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2472 of 14 December 2022”
  GMOs
• 2024-10-17 “E-002147/2024 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission proposal on the architecture and modalities of the next EU long-term budget will be adopted in 2025. As set out in the Political Guidelines for the next Commission 20242029 1 as well as in the mission letters to the Commissioners 2 , a new approach for a modern and reinforced budget is envisaged. The objective is to have a budget that is more focussed on the EU’s priorities, that is simpler and more impactful. Regarding the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Commission will ensure that it is targeted, finds the right balance between incentives, investments and regulation, and is delivered without excessive bureaucracy for farmers. The report on the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture provides a very strong basis to move this work forward. The priority will be to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector. It is also vital that farmers have a fair and sufficient income and are rewarded for working with nature, preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf 2 https://commission.europa.eu/about/organisation/college-commissioners_en”
  EU political integration (free access) · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2024-10-03 “E-001932/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Commission adopted on 21 October 2024 its proposal RESTORE – Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction 1 . It proposes to facilitate the mobilisation of EU Cohesion Policy funds in support of post-disaster recovery. The Commission proposed at the same time an amendment to the Regulation of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) as part of the 2014–2022 framework 2 . The proposal does not have an impact on the already established allocations of Member States and does not take away resources from any Member State. Austria is not eligible for the Cohesion Fund and will not receive financial support from this Fund. The proposal provides Member States with flexibilities in the use of their Cohesion Policy resources 3 for reconstruction and repair measures responding to natural disasters, notably through the possibility of 100% of EU financing and 30% of pre-financing. The proposal does not include the possibility that the Cohesion Fund is mobilised by Member States to support reconstruction, repair and support measures in response to natural disasters. However, Member States have the possibility to transfer resources among Cohesion Policy funds within the limits laid down in the Common Provisions Regulation 4 . The Regulation is currently being discussed by the co-legislators. Under the Commission’s proposal, once the Regulation is adopted by the co-legislators and enters into force, Member States wishing to make use of the flexibilities proposed in response to a natural disaster which has occurred since 1 January 2024 will have to submit to the Commission the proposed amendments to the Programmes concerned. 1 This is a proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund and Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) - COM(2024) 496 final. 2 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 as regards specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural disasters - COM(2024) 495 final. 3 Namely, under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Cohesion Fund. 4 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2024-09-24 “P-001801/2024 Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission 1. In the notification of 9 September 2024, the German authorities indicated as public policy and internal security grounds: the security risks connected to irregular migration, including migrant smuggling, resulting in high levels of illegal entries; the excessive burden on the asylum reception system and solidarity in society and resulting threats to public order and internal security; security risks flowing from the Russian invasion in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, including terrorist Islamist violence; the effects of crimes carried out by refugees on the overall sense of security among the German public. 2. In the notification, Germany explained that it considers the reintroduction of internal border control to be a necessary and proportionate means of last resort. It does not believe the threats can be sufficiently addressed with alternative measures. It has indicated that the controls will be flexible and risk-based and that the federal police strive to limit the impact on free movement of persons within the area without internal border control and cross-border regions. The Commission will remain in close contact with the German authorities in order to evaluate the situation. 3. No Member State has brought the matter before the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 259 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2024-09-12 “E-001685/2024 Answer given by Ms Ivanova on behalf of the European Commission The Erasmus+ programme seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusiveness, diversity and fairness across all its actions, and sets clear standards for the protection, health and safety of participants. The project DragTivism Jr. was selected by the Spanish National Agency Youth Institute (INJUVE) and funded under the youth strand in line with the procedures set out in the Erasmus+ programme guide 1 . Participants and initiatives are supported regardless of family composition or situation, on the condition of respecting human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, in full compliance with the values and rights enshrined in the EU Treaties and in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Moreover, since October 2023, beneficiaries are obliged to report on possible barriers to participation (including those stemming from family circumstances). The programme will continue to support all initiatives that meet the aforementioned criteria, as well as the other applicable eligibility, admissibility, exclusion and selection criteria outlined in the Erasmus+ programme guide. The Commission contacted the National Agency in charge of the selection and monitoring of the project in question to ensure that the above-mentioned standards are in place. The National Agency has confirmed that the project activities are considered appropriate and that the rules set out in the Programme Guide and grant agreement are respected, including obtaining written parental consent prior to the participation of minors, and a comprehensive safeguarding policy set up by the beneficiary. 1 https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2023-11/2024-Erasmus%2BProgramme-Guide_EN.pdf”
  Role of education (social change vs. tradition) · LGBTIQ+
• “First of all, thank you for accepting the question. I would like to say the following. I very much appreciate what she said. How poverty ought to be eradicated. How we ought to act. I would like to ask you the following. Do you see the impact of the economic situation that has been created in Europe due to the green UN deal that has hard hit the conditions of life of families in the EU and has lowered the standard of living. Do you see how the Green Deal has impacted energy poverty? Thank you very much. The mic is cut off.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you. Thank you very much. I can ask you. So my question is this. You're in favor of a zero emissions and the current energy policy and climate policy. So what do you think of the fact that more and more so these days, people cannot afford to pay heating bills? It's too extended to transport. And construction will translate into more and more energy poverty in Europe. You know very well that the rest of the world don't care about our climate policy. We cannot protect the whole world. What do you think about this, sir?”
  EU approach to electricity market and prices
• “Thank you very much. Dear chairman, dear members, as EU legislation legislators, we must be aware of the potential and benefits of digital transformation, including algorithmic management and artificial intelligence in the workplace, while also being aware of the resulting risks and challenges. My amendments, in the Liberal opinion, focus on areas that strictly follow inside our committee's remit. Meet personal data protection regulation. They are based on the firm belief that at this stage, additional regulations regarding personal data processing are not necessary. The General Data Protection Regulation provides a strong and horizontal legal framework that applies across all sectors, including employment. In my opinion, introducing further layers of legislation that could duplicate existing rules would make it more difficult for entities processing personal data to comply with the rules, and could confuse individuals as to which rules apply and how to exercise their rights by imposing additional Regulations that overlap with the existing ones, we create a fragmented approach that becomes overly complicated and introduce similar regulation in various sectors. It should be borne in mind, or that overlapping regulations threaten the fundamental purpose of data protection, ensuring transparency and effective enforcement of individual fundamental rights. Moving on to specific solutions. I would like to point out that the direction of my opinion is to protect employees while maintaining maximum simplicity of regulation. Therefore, in the draft opinion, I specify that article 22 Two of the GDPR on the automated decision making continues to apply in the context of an algorithmic management system in the workplace, providing strong protection for our employees.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Cooperation between the the conservatives and far right as a threat for competitiveness. You're absolutely unchanged. This is totally shameful. This is a way to push forward leftist policies and the new Green Deal. We are experiencing already the effects of the Green Deal. The Green Deal has has been kind of compared to a comparison like the the reform of Copernicus that will undermine and undo everything. So you haven't taken into consideration the costs of this climate policy. Also energy poverty, poverty, complete poverty. You want to move forward with this Green Deal, and this is a way to do this. In other words, make these accusations of this nature. Also the migration pact as well. And once again, um, with the migration pact, you want to create even further chaos on the migration front, as well as also undermine undermining the competitiveness of the European Union. This seems to be part of the agenda.”
  Climate efforts
• “Thank you for giving me the floor. Today I would like to speak mainly about personal data protection. This is an area where the Libe committee has full responsibility, and we already have strong EU rules, especially the gender data. Data protection regulation. We have not yet read the full report. So my comments today are only preliminary. Later we will give our detailed opinion in writing. Many of the topics discussed today are already covered by the act, which was negotiated by Libe and Imco. The AI act introduces rules for risk A high risk AI systems. It demands transparency, helps protect workers from unfair surveillance. However, the AI act is about more about product safety, not human rights. That's why the GDPR still applies, especially when personal data is used by AI. The GDPR applies in every EU country and gives strong, strong rights to people, including workers. This includes the right to know what data is collected, to access it, to ask, to delete or correct it, and to move it to another service. This is very important when we talk about algorithmic management where decisions are based on data. When it comes to automated decision making, the GDPR is very clear. Article 22 gives people the right not to be judged only by a machine. If what the decision has a serious effect, workers must also get information about how the decision was made and to what it means for them.”
  GDPR
• “Chair. Ladies and gentlemen, the EU has been flooded with cheap steel from Russia, China, India produced without any environmental restrictions and as of June last year, it comes also from Ukraine. 46% of imports from Ukraine comes directly to Poland. The situation in the Polish steel industry is dramatic. Unfortunately, the EU measures do not suffice. And so the European steel production has been shrinking, the EU becomes less competitive and we lose jobs. Trade policy is not the only tool which we can use in order to save the European steel industry. What we urgently need right now is to review our climate policy as it kills the economic potential of the EU. What we need right now is concrete actions. We should abolish ETS, and we need an effective cbam mechanism which will effectively protect our market from unfair imports from abroad. Without strong steel market, the EU will not be strategically autonomous. Thank you.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “I recognize that companies cannot monitor or control employees without limits. They must comply with applicable European regulation. I ensure employee representation in algorithmic management processes in the workplace, while ensuring the protection of their personal data. At the same time, I take into account the provisions already existing in the GDPR and the Collective Redress Directive by amending Libe. I fully respect the competences of the Employee Committee and do not address issues inside its remit. I support the Employee Committee's approach to prohibit certain practices that undermine worker protection. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize once again that the challenges of digital transformation, including algorithmic management and artificial intelligence in the workplace, require us to establish a clear and fair legal framework that balances the rights of European workers with the obligation of businesses. Introducing regulations that duplicate or overlap with existing GDPR provisions would be a step backward. What we need now is not more regulation, but better enforcement. Let's ensure that the existing safeguards are upheld. I emphasize that companies cannot exercise unrestricted control over their employees. They must respect the fundamental principles and values in EU law. My amendments clearly define which practices are unacceptable. Thank you for your attention.”
  Artificial Intelligence
• “Thank you very much, chair. Yes. Thank you very much for having accepted the blue cards. I can see that you are an open person. Open to questions. Again, thank you very much for having accepted the question. You are open as opposed to the left. Who is afraid of questions? The questions about the reasons for poverty in the EU. We are talking about poverty in the EU. Yes. But we also need to mention that the EU is fighting with the problems it itself generates. The main reason for poverty for the scale of poverty, including energy. Poverty is the crazy climate policy. We have voted the reduction of emissions by 90% during this very session. So don't you think that we should move away from the Green Deal in order to improve the economic situation in Europe and thereby fight with poverty? Thank you.”
  Climate efforts
• “These rights are not just theory. Courts and data protection authorities across Europe are enforcing them. For example, in 2023, a court in Amsterdam ruled against Uber and Ola cabs, where drivers were fired by algorithms. The court said workers must be taught why the decision was made and must have the chance to respond. In Italy, the Data Protection Authority punished Deliveroo for using unfair ranking systems in Germany, and authorities said that using an AI tool to choose job applicants without human review was against article 22 GDPR. This cases shows that article 22 is a real protection. It helps people when the decision decisions made by algorithms affect their jobs or incomes. Also, the GDPR allows workers to complain to a data protection authority to go to court Card to and compensation for harm. The GDPR and the AI act can work together. For example, the Data Protection Impact Assessment and the Fundamental Rights Impact Assessment are both useful and should be useful in parallel. Finally, each EU country can make extra rules to protect workers, especially in areas like monitoring to work. But we must be careful making new laws too quickly before the platform work. Directive is used in all countries could cause problems. It would lead to overregulation, confusion and even go against existing EU court decision instead of creating more rules, let's focus on enforcing the laws we already have. Thank you very much.”
  Platform workers
• “Yes. Thank you very much, president. Ladies and gentlemen. What the left wing activities did in the streets of Lyon is shameful for the whole of Europe. A student was murdered merely because he tried to defend a women who were protesting against violence from immigrants. And this is not an isolated incident. If we take a look at the report of organizations that are fighting terrorism, clearly show that left wing extremism is a real systemic and growing problem in Europe. And on the extreme left wing, we've seen that people are called nationalist or fascist. And this is a very sick kind of logic which can kill. And in Poland, we also have a similar problem. Left wing militants and activists are attacking religious people and right wing people, and they take they attack anybody. And this is, uh, because of the way in which mainstreaming is being accepted and Europe cannot be silent on this.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Thank you very much. What I can see from your speech that you is the fact that you are very much in favor of our car industry. It's only about them. So how about, uh, food security and health of our Europeans? Is it, uh, okay to lose the health safety of our Europeans? Uh, because we want to support our car manufacturers. What about all those who are going to lose in competitiveness? Uh, can you tell me whether you prefer the car manufacturers to get more money and sacrifice our food and health? Safety? Because I cannot accept it.”
  Air quality policy
• “Ladies and gentlemen. First of all, I'd like to thank you, Madam Chair and the coordinators for the opportunity to debate these issues. I think it's very important I meet farmers and representatives of the Silesian Chamber of Agriculture, and they've asked me to act fast thinking about the voivodeship of Silesia. I can tell you the situation there. Farmers are suffering from great losses, and they have to pay a lot as well. To secure their farms in Poland and in Silesia. The whole sector is suffering greatly in the sector. Farms are being ruined. The problem is not just the extent of the damage, but also the fact that it's concentrated in certain regions. Pig breeders believe that this closure, this sort of cordon sanitaire are being exaggerated, produces a suffering very much because of the price differences. And they can't sell their animals if they come from these so-called risk areas. So it's a vicious circle. And we're working towards meeting these EU rules. In particular the regulations from 2024. But at the same time, the commission refers to the regulations in member states. At the end of the day, pig breeders are left on their own with their problems.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU
• “Thank you very much, president. I am convinced that we are all concerned. I'm convinced that we are all concerned about the welfare of children. The fact that the regulation on protecting children didn't go through the parliament is something that we all lament. But I wonder, sir, if you don't think we shouldn't effectively use the DSA in order to protect children.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. One year ago, the commission promised a reset for the Green Deal. You promised a dialogue with the farmers. Unfortunately, it was just empty words. The situation today for farmers is extremely serious. The rural areas in Poland are in a catastrophic state. Polish farmers are pretty much giving away their products for free so they don't simply rot. The Polish farmers are crying because they cannot pay back their loans. And in this catastrophic situation, the European Commission is talking about a contract with Ukraine, a trade deal with Mercosur. If you approve this, you really will bury Polish agriculture once and for all. You will end short supply chains and end food security. That is why today I call on all Polish patriots to participate in the march in Warsaw this weekend. The protest against the Green Deal. Uh, Against illegal immigration. All of this is destroying Europe. Thank you.”
  Agricultural trade: Ukraine imports
• “Madam president. Commissioner. Ladies and gentlemen, the steel industry is the backbone of our economy and the European Commission. European Steel and Metals Action Plan is not enough to tackle the high energy prices for our industry. And they are the direct result of this ideology of fighting climate change. Without the immediate suspension of the ETS system, anything that the Commission is saying about a safe and cheap energy is just words on paper. The suspension of the system is absolutely crucial. Without it, the industry is going to fail and Europe is going to lose a sector that is indispensable for building our defence defense capacities. It's high time you understand this. How are you going to reinforce our defense without the steel? Thank you, Mrs. Moretti.”
  Climate efforts
• “I'm here. Thank you. I would like to ask you a question because you talked about the American economy. You probably know that energy costs in the EU are three times higher than in the US, and gas prices are five times higher. I don't know whether you know that. This week, the biggest steel producer in Europe, is planning to leave Europe because the costs of the green policy are unbearable. So do you think that, uh, this company won't be able to resolve the issues such as the backsliding of competitiveness in the European Union.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “(18:11:54 – 18:13:14): Ladies and gentlemen, the EU has been flooded with cheap steel from Russia, China, India, produced without any environmental restrictions. And as of June, it comes also from Ukraine. 46% of import from Ukraine comes directly to Poland. The situation in the Polish steel industry is dramatic. Unfortunately, the EU measures do not suffice. And so the European steel production has been shrinking. The EU becomes less competitive, and we lose jobs. Trade policy is not the only tool which we can use in order to save the European steel industry. What we urgently need right now is to review our climate policy as it kills the economic potential of the EU. What we need right now is concrete actions. Should abolish ETS, and we need an effective CBEM mechanism, which will effectively protect our market from unfair imports from abroad. Without strong steel market, the EU will not be strategically, autonomous. Thank you. Very much, madam, madam Vieira, my next speaker.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “I have a question. What do you think about the Mercosur agreement in the context of of the regulation on shortening the supply chain? The regulation which we adopted in the previous mandate. The fork to table strategy. How will this impact agricultural agriculture in Poland? In Germany? Will this agreement? Us not have a domino effect. And the farms, won't they one day collapse because they will not be able to withstand the competition?”
  Trade relations with Mercosur