Kristoffer STORM

Policy topics Kristoffer STORM is active on

What Kristoffer STORM has said (18)

• 2026-06-29 “Thank you. 1st of all, I would like to thank the co reporters for the excellent cooperation and work invested in preparing this draft report. The Biotech Act is very important for the European Union. And together, we now have the opportunity to become the real option and to be truly proud of the biotech sector in Europe. While greater coordination at EU level is desirable, it is essential that reforms support faster approval of clinical trials without undermining member state competence. Efforts should focus on simplifying producers reducing administrative burdens and improving coordination mechanisms while preserving national oversight and flexibility. A balanced approve can accelerate and approve approvals while maintaining the effectiveness of the current decentralized model and ensuring member states retain the ownership of decision affecting their territory. The commission proposed extending the SPC should, if you ask me, be expanded and made technology neutral. This would ensure a level playing field across different types of health biotechnology invasions and avoid unintended distortions between technologies and thereby support innovation and investment across the sector. With all that said, I truly wish and think that we can be even more ambitious with this biotech act. I want to be able to say that we deliver the best possible outcome for our industry and most importantly, that we secure the best deal for our citizens. That was my 1st 2 minutes. Because as you said, I also have to read it from my colleague who couldn't be here today. The beginning is the same. I think you have been doing a great job working together with this report. I've been doing a good great work. The Biotech Act is a key opportunity to strengthen Europe's competitiveness. We welcome the efforts to reduce regulatory fragmentation, accelerate clinical trials and make Europe more attractive for research and investment. However, 1 essential issue requires greater ambitions. Innovation incentives, particular supplementary protection certificates. In Europe, if Europe runs if Europe runs if Europe wants to compete to compete globally, incentives must be more effective. The evidence shows that the real challenge is not only their duration, but also ensuring that eligibility is flexible. Overly restrictive cumulative conditions with risk excluding variable innovation and reducing the impact on investments. At the same time, we must preserve technology neutrality. Innovation is driven by both biotechnologies and chemically medicines, and our framework framework should support both equally. If we are serious about competitiveness, we should also remain open to more ambitious incentives, including a 24 month extensions combined with broader agility. Europe must create the conditions for the next generation of innovation and to be to be developed and and brought to the market here. Once again, thank you for your work together as a core operators, and we are looking forward to work together with you on this file.”
  Intellectual property rights (IPR) · EU policy on ethical standards in biotechnology applications
• 2025-11-05 “E-004350/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission The Commission considers that the decline in smoking rates results from the implementation of tobacco control measures, in particular, those set out in the Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU 1 , the Tobacco Advertising Directive 2003/33/EC 2 , and the Tobacco Taxation Directive 2011/64/EU 3 . Using smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products, as opposed to combustible smoking, is not reducing risk to health. There are no safe levels of tobacco or nicotine consumption, including from smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products. In addition to their negative health effects, such products may act as a gateway to nicotine addiction and, ultimately, to smoking. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 14 million adolescents aged 13–15 years are currently using electronic cigarettes globally and those aged 13–15 years are nine times more likely than adults to use electronic cigarettes 4 . As the WHO noted, a nonsmoker who uses Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), including nicotine containing e-cigarettes, may become addicted to nicotine, making it difficult to stop using ENDS, or may become addicted to conventional tobacco products 5 . Dual use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes, which is common, is at least as dangerous and likely more dangerous than smoking conventional cigarettes or using e-cigarettes alone 6 . 1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2014/40/oj. 2 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2003/33/oj. 3 http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/64/oj. 4 https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/2eca3aea-b772-4272-a2ae-6fa26f3f9cd5/content. 5 https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/tobacco-e-cigarettes. 6 Ibid.”
  Electronic cigarettes · Smoking regulation · Heated tobacco products
• 2025-10-08 “E-003937/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission In response to the Honourable Member’s remarks regarding the perceived limited impact of the European Capitals of Culture (ECoC), the Commission would like to draw attention to its recently adopted report on the first interim evaluation of the ECoC Action 2020-2033 1 . The report reviews the multifaceted impact of the action on cities that held the ECoC title between 2013 and 2022. Among its many findings, it highlights that, during this period, the action has mobilised around EUR 900 million in funding for cultural activities across the EU, taking into consideration all the funding spent from EU, national, regional, local and private sources. This was achieved with limited impact on the EU budget, as the Commission’s direct contribution is restricted to the Melina Mercouri Prize (EUR 1.5 million per city). The action has also fostered urban regeneration, civic engagement and a stronger appreciation of cultural and linguistic diversity, while strengthening local and regional cultural sectors and their European connections. In 2026, the Commission intends to submit a proposal to the European Parliament and Council for a new legal instrument, which will allow the action to continue after 2033, as the current one does not foresee a continuation of the initiative beyond 2033. 1 COM/2025/587 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0587&qid=1761498178145.”
  EU and national cultural identities
• 2025-09-24 “E-003717/2025 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission On 8 October 2025, the Commission published guidelines 1 to support the effective implementation of the Regulation on transparency and targeting of political advertising 2 , which was adopted by the co-legislators in March 2024 and became fully applicable as of 10 October 2025. These guidelines include practical guidance and detailed explanations to support political actors and providers of political advertising services in applying the new rules. The Regulation sets common EU standards of transparency for political advertising both online and offline, to ensure level playing field among relevant actors. As reflected in the accompanying impact assessment 3 , the Commission took into account the possible impact of its proposal for this Regulation on small service providers. Section 3.4 of the guidelines explains how the new rules, as adopted by the co-legislators, take into account the specificities of small actors and provide for tailored requirements (e.g. exemption from record-keeping obligations, limited data retention obligations, limited reporting obligations). The Commission will actively continue to provide support, with Member States, economic operators, to ensure the smooth application of the rules. A new stakeholder Expert Group will be established by the Commission to monitor and collect practical feedback on the application of the Regulation. The Commission will also organise an implementation dialogue in 2026 to draw insights from the application of the rules, including by local and regional media. 1 C(2025) 6829 final – Communication from the Commission - Guidelines to support the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2024/900 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising. 2 Regulation (EU) 2024/900 on the transparency and targeting of political advertising https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/900/oj/eng. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52021SC0355.”
  Digital advertising · EU support for traditional (non-digital) media
• 2025-03-10 “E-001023/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission The Impact Assessment 1 of the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2 examined the economic impacts, also in quantitative terms, on businesses, including small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs). This assessment was done for the whole package of measures but also for specific measures, such as reuse targets. It concluded that, overall, the new rules do not result in increased compliance costs for businesses. Where however, significant administrative burden was anticipated, mitigation measures were introduced, such as exemptions for small businesses or reduced requirements. Micro-enterprises were exempted from many requirements and granted alleviations 3 . The Commission will develop implementing legislation with a specific focus to prevent that SMEs face disproportionate administrative burden. Furthermore, it will consider coming up with guidance to help SMEs comply with the new rules. More generally, one of the key criteria for this implementing legislation will be the competitiveness of the EU businesses, in line with recent Commission communications 4 . The Commission anticipates big efficiency gains as regards the enforcement of the reuse targets, also due to digitalisation 5 . Moreover, Member States have several possibilities to exempt operators from the reuse targets, subject to the local conditions. These measures ensure a proportionate implementation of the reuse targets established in the Regulation. 1 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/document/download/920f946e-4e98-4de5-b1e5-c948a81a10f5_en 2 Regulation (EU) 2025/40 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 2024 on packaging and packaging waste, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and Directive (EU) 2019/904, and repealing Directive 94/62/EC, OJ L, 2025/40, 22.1.2025. 3 For instance, as regards reporting to the producer responsibility organisations. 4 https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/better-regulation/simplification-and-implementation_en 5 The Regulation has established digital labels for reusable packaging, which would allow tracking of the rotations of the reusable packaging; digital tracking of the achieved rotations of the reusable packaging can facilitate demonstration of compliance of the economic operators with the new Regulation. This can ensure lower administrative costs, especially for small companies.”
  Sustainable packaging · Re-use of packaging · Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2025-02-12 “E-000654/2025 Answer given by Mr Síkela on behalf of the European Commission The EU’s development cooperation is framed mainly within the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe) 1 . In Somalia, the EU, together with EU Member States, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – in the framework of Team Europe Initiatives – supports the country’s state building efforts, sustainable migration management, economic and private sector development, as well as the increased resilience of most vulnerable populations while reducing the effects of the climate crisis 2 . Most of the funding for 2021-2027 is managed by international organisations, international non-governmental organisations and local civil society organisations. The choice is based on the partners’ specialisation in activities relevant for achieving EU’s objectives in Somalia, their presence on the ground, their absorption capacity, and – most importantly – on their capacity to reach most vulnerable populations. Other resources will be allocated directly to the Somali treasury, upon successful completion of agreed economic and sectoral indicators, under the budget support contract ‘State and Resilience Building Contract - Phase II’. The NDICI – Global Europe Regulation provides the means for a ‘flexible incitative approach’, under which possible allocation of additional funding related to migration could be adopted as a leverage, in accordance with the programming principles of the instrument, and taking into account effective cooperation and implementation of EU agreements and dialogues on migration, including returns. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe. 2 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/document/download/44bcd681-0141-4b0a-b63c1e5b4674f805_en?filename=mip-2021-c2021-9070-somalia-annex_en.pdf”
  EU development aid (migration conditionality)
• 2025-02-10 “E-000598/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission Following the adoption of the EU proposal 1 to change the protection status of the wolf under the Bern Convention 2 , after its entry into force, the Commission presented a targeted legislative proposal 3 to implement this change in EU law and to modify accordingly the protection regime of the wolf under the Annexes of the Habitats Directive 4 . While lowering the protection status of the wolf in the Habitats Directive by moving it from Annex IV to Annex V of the Directive offers Member States more flexibility in how they manage their wolf populations, it does not change the substantive obligation to ensure that the wolf is restored to and maintained at a favourable conservation status. Under Article 14 of the Habitats Directive, the taking of specimens of species listed in Annex V as well as their exploitation must be compatible with their being maintained at a favourable conservation status. This implies that any culling or hunting has to be carefully regulated by Member States, to prevent any negative impact on the conservation status of the concerned populations, in line with the recent rulings of the Court of Justice of the EU 5 . It would be for the Danish authorities to adopt the appropriate measures to that end. After decades of absence following its eradication, the wolf returned to Denmark in 2012 and has re-established 6 with the current population of approximately 22-42 adults and 38 pups 7 . Denmark did not report on the conservation status of the wolf for the period 2013-2018 as required by Article 17 of the Directive and the new report for the period 2019-2024 is due by August 2025. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_6202 2 https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention 3 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/document/8ec6689c-a7d8-422e-829d-c4231fc32872_en 4 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 5 Case C-436/22: https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2024-07/cp240118en.pdf Case C-601/22: https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2024-07/cp240111en.pdf 6 https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/habitats-directive/large-carnivores/largecarnivore-populations-across-europe_en#paragraph_9371 7 https://sgavmst.dk/arter/artsforvaltning/beskyttede-arter/ulv”
  Large Carnivores
• 2025-01-27 “P-000354/2025 Answer given by Ms Šuica on behalf of the European Commission The Commission does not have any evidence related to the Israeli hostages being held in Gaza in the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s (UNRWA) premises and encourages those who have information on this allegation to formally notify UNRWA. The Commission notes that UNRWA was forced to vacate all its installations in the northern part of the Gaza Strip and had no control over them for months. In accordance with international humanitarian law, it is fundamental that the principle of neutrality – including as regards UNRWA’s installations – is upheld by all parties of the conflict. The Commission takes neutrality issues very seriously. The Commission has been working in the last months with UNRWA to enhance the neutrality processes and controls systems of the Agency. The Commission has been monitoring, in parallel, the implementation of the Action Plan presented by UNRWA on the recommendations of the United Nations Independent Review Group report 1 , as well as the recommendations stemming from the EU system audit. The Commission will continue to closely monitor the implementation of these actions to guarantee that the Agency works in full compliance with the principles of international humanitarian law, including neutrality. The EU remains committed to supporting UNRWA, providing both financial and political support, to enable UNRWA to fulfil its mandate. 1 https://www.unrwa.org/resources/reports/colonna-report-and-action-plan”
  Support for international humanitarian organisations · Conditions to access EU humanitarian aid
• 2024-12-02 “E-002714/2024 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission The Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU Agriculture presented its independent recommendations to the Commission 1 . The President of the Commission has asked the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food in his mission letter 2 to follow up on some of the Dialogue’s recommendations. This includes the EU-wide benchmarking system in the agrifood sector. The Commission is currently analysing how such a benchmarking system could be designed and what its scope could be. No decision on the exact nature or timeline for a proposal of this initiative has been taken. The Commission does not have the information requested as regards the expected costs and projected emission cuts deriving from the proposed Danish agricultural emissions tax. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_4528 2 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/2c64e540-c07a-4376-a1da368d289f4afe_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20HANSEN.pdf”
  Climate efforts
• 2024-11-14 “E-0002541/2024 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the Commission In accordance with its Article 2, the Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers 1 applies to workers who have an employment contract or employment relationship as defined by the law, collective agreements or practice in force in each Member State, taking into account the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). Recitals 16 and 17 further clarify that the personal scope of the directive does not expand to cover self-employed persons. The term ‘worker’ should be interpreted according to the CJEU caselaw. In Case 66/85 Lawrie-Blum v Land Baden-Württemberg, the CJEU notes that the essential feature of an employment relationship is that a person performs services of some economic value for and under the direction of another person in return for which he receives remuneration. In other words, there are three conditions that have to be met cumulatively in order for a person to be considered a worker in regard to the EU law 2 . The CJEU has constantly held that ‘the classification of a self-employed person under national law does not prevent that person being classified as an employee within the meaning of EU law if their independence is merely notional thereby disguising an employment relationship’ 3 . The sui generis nature of the employment relationship under national law cannot have any consequence in regard to whether or not the person is a worker for the purposes of EU law 4 , if the conditions set out above are met. The Commission is currently assessing the national legislation on its compliance with Directive (EU) 2019/1158. 1 OJ L 188, 12.7.2019, p. 79–93. 2 The existence of (1) a relationship of subordination between the worker and their employer, (2) the remuneration element, and that (3) the worker is engaged in effective and genuine activities, to the exclusion of activities on such a small scale as to be regarded as purely marginal and ancillary, Case 53/81, Levin, [17], Case C-337/97, Meeusen, [13]. 3 Case C-256/01 Allonby para 71. C-413/13 FNV Kunsten para 35. 4 Case C-116/06, Kiiski.”
  EU policy on permanent and fixed-term employment · EU competences on social policies
• 2024-10-04 “E-001953/2024 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission Many Member States have already implemented carbon taxes at national level to curb carbon emissions in different sectors. Determining whether a specific national tax falls or not into the scope of the Council Directive 2003/96/EC 1 requires an in-depth analysis, in the light of the case-law of the Court of Justice of the EU. On 14 July 2021, the Commission tabled a proposal for a revision of the above-mentioned Directive, as part of the Fit-for-55 Package. Its aim is to align the taxation of energy products with the EU energy and climate policies, promote clean technologies and remove outdated exemptions and reduced rates that currently encourage the use of fossil fuels. While the proposal would also remove the mandatory tax exemption for maritime and aviation fuels (Article 14 and 15), negotiations in Council are still ongoing. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32003L0096”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Thank you. To be honest, if I was in the commission. I was sitting on my hands and destroying the European market, which millions of Europeans are fighting for every day. I think I would be ashamed. So the Commission, together with the centre left, there have been policies for many years which have held up Europe's development and for the single market to deliver what we want. The whole foundation of the EU is to have a strong single market. The possibilities for companies to be able to trade across borders without having the barriers they have today. But we've had a policy where there's been more focus on regulation for European companies. Rather than creating a framework, we need to have an economy in Europe which makes sure that we can be competitive with the rest of the world. We the Commission doesn't seem to want to have to create things so that European companies get the contracts, which can create growth and jobs in Europe. I think that's shameful. I hope that the new commission will get going and make changes so that we can create the growth that we need in Europe. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you. Well, for many years the left has. Have burdened competitiveness. Their ideas, their measures have not at all helped European citizens, whereas the economies of China and the United States grow. Well, what have we got? Controls. Reports, notifications. And that is costing us growth and a large number of jobs. Fortunately for Europe, the right has a majority, and that is the reason why we will be able to counterbalance this policy, create competitiveness, because if not, the world will continue progressing and we will be staying behind. We need to stop legislating left, right and centre. That is not good for Europe. The best for Europe is the right because we want to grow. We really want to defend and are capable of defending European citizens.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Thank you. President, I'd like to praise the Commission for not having taken the same destructive course that their predecessors did. We have a commission which has stepped on the brakes rather than actually creating harmful suggestions and regulations in Europe. Suggestions which have repeatedly undermined our competitiveness and destroyed the possibility for our business to compete with the rest of the world. The new commission has promised us that they'll take a different tack. They'll be a completely new direction. We should deregulate and improve competitiveness. We're talking about 100 days now, but we're still waiting to see action. We're looking forward to that because we need to be ready to act here in the Parliament, too. We are ready to underwrite this deregulation, which can have an improved effect on business in the rest of the world. We also need to look at returns for those who are here illegally, and we look forward to getting effective action so that we can guarantee that Europeans can live safely and prosperously here in Europe.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “(10:36:06 – 10:37:28): To be honest, if I was in the commission, I was sitting on my hands and destroying the European market, which millions of Europeans are fighting for every day, I think I would be ashamed. So the commission, together with the center left, there have been policies for many years which have held up Europe's development and for the single market to deliver what we want. The whole foundation of the EU is to have a strong single market, the possibilities for companies to be able to trade across borders without having the barriers they have today. But we've had a policy where there's been more focus on regulation for European companies rather than creating a framework we need to have a economy in Europe which makes sure that we can be competitive with the rest of the world. The commission doesn't seem to want to have to create things so that European companies get the contracts which can create, growth and jobs in Europe. I think that's shameful. I hope that the new commission, will get going and make changes so that we can create the growth that we need in Europe. Thank you. Mister Pompey.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “So I. Think it's important to remember here in Parliament. That some people think that our agricultural sector could do with more bureaucracy. I mean, and in doing so would destroy the cooperative sector. I mean, our competitiveness is already under siege as a result of EU regulation. And if we attack cooperatives, then we are going to destroy jobs, something that is good for people who buy their farm produce locally. But our sector has to be resilient and competitive. Meat prices. Should apparently be driven up even higher. Um, is supposed to, uh, heard that Ursula von der Leyen eating salad here in the Parliament yesterday. And we've also heard that there have been emergency rations, because meat is something that people don't eat on a daily basis any longer. But I think that we should fight this. Resist. We don't want more bureaucracy. Otherwise, life is difficult for everyone.”
  Agriculture (green)
• “Yes, yes. Morton. Uh, yeah. We heard the warnings. We saw the writing on the wall. All of these things have been taken on board, but you're speaking about specific things. You're speaking about the global situation. But we know we know that our decision here to the decisions we're making are going to cost jobs, and we want our jobs to be secure and safe. But one knew back then that jobs would be lost, that jobs would be eliminated in order to become competitiveness. So why how do you how do you come to terms with all of this now?”
  Climate efforts
• “Sigrid. I mean, either you're not listening to what I'm saying or you are trying to conjure up the impossible. Yes, it's a good idea for us to overhaul agriculture, but we've got to be competitive. And people. You know, you've got peas and beans and things being used for these veggie burgers. I mean, in Denmark and elsewhere in Europe. I mean, you know, you earn far less from growing those products. But we've got to look at catering for demand where demand is present, regardless of whether it's meat or plant based products.”
  Agriculture (green)