Debate on Emissions scandal in European Parliament - Fraud on the burden of environment and health
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Employees, component supplier and municipalities suffer / Stricter market surveillance needed / no condemnation of Diesel
In today's plenary debate on the VW emission scandal environmental and health spokesperson of the biggest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian democrats) Dr. Peter Liese emphasized effects on both health and environment. "The responsible persons of VW wanted to save some money, but they did it at the expense of environment and health. Nitrogen oxides are the main cause for ozone formation and there are causing constriction of the bronchi, aggravation of asthma and many other health problems. Due to the misconduct of the responsible persons the economic damage is now bigger than the costs would have been by complying with values. ", said Liese who is angry about the behaviour of the responsible persons at VW: " The fact that the former Chairman Winterkorn insists on his full pension and plays still an active role in the holding is intolerable for me. We need a deep examination and all people involved have to be held responsible", Liese added. At the same time it has to be examined why European authorities did not discover the fraud. "We have much more Diesel vehicles over here than in the US. However, US authorities found the problem, we did not. And some companies are very quiet in the moment. The European Commission has to take care of that", Liese said.
„Carbon leakage“: Environmental Committee rejects Greens' objection
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EPP in favour of list proposed by European Commission / Adoption of objection would have punished innovative industry
The Environmental Committee (ENVI) of the European Parliament today rejected an objection tabled by the Greens against the so called carbon leakage list proposed by the European Commission some weeks ago. EPP members of ENVI support the list of the Commission, Committee now shares this view.
„We are happy with today's decision of ENVI. Fortunately, the attempt to reject the list proposed by the Commission was not successful“, said Dr. Peter Liese, spokesperson of Christian-democratic EPP group in ENVI, and Norbert Lins, the responsible EPP-MEP for the file.
"A rejection of the proposed carbon leakage list or only a further insecurity would have penalised those who invested in modern technology. This would have a negative impact on the European Emission Trading Scheme", said Liese right after the votes.
Read more: „Carbon leakage“: Environmental Committee rejects Greens' objection
Huge majority for Arias Canete, strong defeat for Bratusek
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Juncker's Commission after hearings even stronger than before
"The decision of the ENVI and ITRE committees in European Parliament makes Juncker's commission even stronger than before", this is the conclusion of the spokesperson in the Environmental Committee of the biggest political group in the European Parliament (EPP – Christian democrats), Peter Liese.
The Parliament's committees rejected Commission's designated Vice-president Alenka Bratusek with 13:112 votes. The proposed candidate for climate and energy, Miguel Arias Canete, was approved by a majority of 77 to 48 votes.
Read more: Huge majority for Arias Canete, strong defeat for Bratusek
Success for European Parliament: Health Commissioner will keep responsibility for pharmaceuticals and medical devices
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Good arguments convinced Jean Claude Juncker
Brussels: President Elect of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker announced that after examination of European Parliament’s request the Health Commissioner also in the new Commission will have the responsibility for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This was announced by Manfred Weber, chairman of the biggest political group in the European Parliament (EPP- Christian Democrats) in the group meeting on Wednesday.
In his initial concept Juncker suggested to entrust the polish candidate Elzbieta Bienkowska with the task who will be responsible for internal market and industry. This raised a lot of opposition from experts, in and outside European Parliament. Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety has asked three times for leaving the responsibility with the Health-Commissioner.
“I am very pleased that our good arguments convinced Jean-Claude Juncker”, said Peter Liese, (CDU), medical doctor by profession and spokesman on health of the EPP- Group.