Johans egen blogspot

Lack of legality in the CAP?

For the eleventh consecutive years the European Court of Auditors is concerned that not of all the payments of the CAP are above board. As stated in their report 2005-11-15 :"In the case of Common Agricultural Policy expenditure (€43.6 billion euro), the Court concludes that expenditure which is not subject to IACS or where IACS has been inadequately applied, is at greater risk because the control systems are not as effective. For example, post-payment checks for CAP subsidies not covered by IACS - 37% of the total - do not provide the Commission with reasonable assurance on compliance of the transactions with Community legislation. The Court concluded that, viewed as a whole, the CAP expenditure was still materially affected by errors."

The CAP has been in use for almost half a decade now, and the EU can still not assure the legality and regularity of its transactions! I guess most companies would have some difficulties in explaining this kind of behaviour!

REACH

Have you ever wondered why so many MEPs and commissioners think that a weak REACH is industry friendly? At least, they do not seem say that a weak REACH is good for the people in the EU. And who is voting on them?

If environment and public health are considered important issues (globally) then a strong REACH will give the European chemical industry a boost compared to non-EU companies that does not have the competive edge of both a strong regulation and less use of hazardous chemicals.

The history of environmental regulations specifically regarding chemicals clearly demonstrate that overall (chemical) industry is quick to respond to and find economically viable solutions when external pressure in terms of regulations is applied. Most of the time at lower direct costs than forecasted by the industry itself.

The Collaborative of Health and the Environment recently released a report on the strong links between the exposure to modern day chemicals and cancer.

This of course also makes me wonder why the EU commissioner for public health has been completely silent regarding the REACH.