Policy Consultation

School Fruit Scheme - step forward in the CAP reform, August 2008.

The European Commission, DG Agriculture, proposes a new School Fruit Scheme worth €90 million per year as the latest part of the ’Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity and health related issues’.
European Commission (DG Agri) invites submission of posters for forthcoming conference on School Fruit Scheme
On 8 July 2008, the European Commission presented its proposal for the introduction of an EU-wide School Fruit Scheme (SFS).
In order to kick-start the linked (...)

*UPDATED* European Commission consultation on labelling

*UPDATED with the publication of a report from the European Commission.* The European Commission Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protectionlaunched a consultation to review a number of labelling issues.
In order to increase consistency between the proposals they plan to submit, they have decided to launch a consultation with key stakeholders.
EPHA responded to the consultation (see attached document)
Report on the responses: Labelling: Competitiveness, Consumer information and (...)

*Updated* Towards a Europe free from tobacco smoke - EPHA responds

*UPDATED with European Parliament response*.
On 30 January, 2007, the European Commission issued a public consultation on freeing Europe from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).
Background
Environmental tobacco smoke is also known as "second-hand smoke" or "passive smoking" and is a known cause of illness and death in the European Union.
The promotion of smoke-free places within Europe began with concern for health and safety at work and has now progressed to country-wide bans on smoking in (...)

EPHA responds to a Consultation on NGOs involvement on Drug Policies

The European Commission has launched in June 2006 a consultation on how to organise a constructive dialogue with civil society organisations (CSOs) active in the drug field. The “Green Paper on the role of Civil Society in Drugs Policy in the European Union” seeks to ensure that their knowledge and expertise is taken into account in the EU policy-making process, in particular in the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Drugs 2005-2008 and the EU Drugs Strategy 2005-20122. (...)

*UPDATED* The WHO seeks views on alcohol consumption

**Updated with the EPHA response and a model response for other NGOs.* The World Health Organisation is seeking views and opinions of stakeholders on health problems related to alcohol consumption. The deadline for answers is the 15 September 2006.
The WHO invites academic institutions, research departments, professional associations, NGOs and representatives of the industry, trade and agricultural sectors to express their opinion on the type of interventions that are needed at nationale, (...)

Consultation on EU Action plan for Drugs

The European Commission has an open consultation for ideas from civil society for a communication on the EU Action Plan on drugs 2005 - 2008.
Nearly one in five of the EU population has used an illicit drug at least once and there are an estimated 1.5 million problem users. An increase in drugs and organised crime tops the list of fears among European citizens, with 69 % seeing it as the greatest threat to our society.
The Council of Ministers is currently discussing a new EU Drugs (...)

*UPDATED* European Commission Consultation on health services

*UPDATED with the results of the consultation* The European Commission has opened a consultation for the future EU legislation on health care services.
Following this consultation, the Commission intends to bring forward appropriate proposals in 2007.
Commission report on responses to the consultation
According to the European Commission report summarising responses received, a total of 276 responses have been registered from national governments, regional authorities, international and (...)

Heads of Medicines Agencies Strategy Paper

The HMA Strategy Paper intends to be a contribution to the debate about the future of the European Medicines Regulatory Network. Read here EPHA members’ feedback on the Strategy Paper.
The Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA), is the working forum of heads of human and veterinary regulatory agencies for medicinal products in the EU Member States and the EEA-EFTA States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The Agency plays key role as a partner in the European Medicines Regulatory Network.
The (...)