Tag: EU
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EC Confirms That REACH Provides Best Framework for Nanomaterial Risk Management
The European Commission (EC) has concluded, in its second regulatory review on nanomaterials, that, while certain challenges continue to face those trying to assess their potential risks, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances (REACH) “sets the best possible framework for the risk management of nanomaterials when they occur as substances or mixtures.”…
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EU General Court Finds Scotch Maker’s “Royal Shakespeare” Trademark Invalid
The European Union (EU) General Court has affirmed a ruling of the Board of Appeal of the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) (OHIM) and dismissed the application of a beverage company to register “Royal Shakespeare” as a word mark for its scotch whiskey. Jackson Int’l Trading Co. Kurt D.…
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European Commission to Enforce Rules on Laying Hen Cages
The European Commission has apparently sent “a reasoned opinion” to 10 member states “that have failed to correctly implement Directive 1994/74EC which introduces a ban on the use of un-enriched cages for laying hens,” according to a June 21, 2012, EU press release. The Commission has given Belgium, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, the…
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EU Council Asks Member States to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
The Council of the European Union has issued a “One Health” perspective document recognizing that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) “is accelerated by excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents” and asking member states to “develop and implement national strategies or action plans for countering AMR.” According to the perspective document, which underlined the need for “an…
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French Farmers Challenge Government Ban on GM Maize Cultivation
French maize growers and seed companies have reportedly brought an appeal before the nation’s highest court seeking to overturn the French government’s temporary moratorium on a strain of genetically modified (GM) maize. The government action was taken in response to the court’s decision to annul a previous moratorium after finding that it lacked justification. In…
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U.S., Canada and EU Agree to End Beef Growth Hormone Rift
According to news sources, a 25-year-old trade dispute pitting European Union (EU) laws prohibiting the import of beef treated with growth hormones and U.S. and Canadian trade sanctions imposing hundreds of millions of dollars of duties on EU exports of Roquefort cheese, truffles, chocolates, and other comestibles has been resolved. The U.S. and Canadian tariffs…
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EU Directive Bans Fruit Juices with Added Sugar
The Council of the European Union (EU) has adopted a directive banning the use of added sugars in any fruit juices sold in Europe. According to a March 8, 2012, Council press release, the new directive “incorporates the current industry practice of not adding sugars to fruit juices” and will phase out “no added sugars” labeling…
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Danish Minister Calls for Improved EU Animal Welfare Standards
Danish Food and Agriculture Minister Mette Gjerskov has reportedly urged the European Union (EU) and its member states to support improved animal welfare standards. In January 2012, the European Commission released a new animal welfare strategy, details of which were covered in Issue 425 of this Update. Speaking to an international conference in Brussels, Belgium,…