In 2023, the EU‘s livestock populations were lower than a year earlier. Compared with 2022, the pig and bovine populations decreased by 1%, while sheep declined by 3%, and goats by 5%. In 2023, the EU had 133 million pigs, 74 million bovine animals, 58 million sheep, and 11 million goats. This information comes from provisional data […]
European Health Union: Progress made in EU health policy over the last four years
The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Health Union, which highlights the strides made in EU health policy over the last four years, for the benefit of citizens in the EU and worldwide. The start of this mandate was marked by the biggest pandemic in a century, which caused human suffering on a worldwide scale and […]
Council approves gas and hydrogen market package
The Council has adopted a regulation and a directive establishing common internal market rules for renewable and natural gases and hydrogen and reforming the existing EU gas legislation. The new rules will help make the shift to renewable and low-carbon gases, in particular hydrogen, in the energy system, with a view to achieving the EU’s […]
New Eurobarometer shows Europeans’ positive attitude towards language learning
A vast majority of Europeans (86%) believe that everyone should speak at least one foreign language, and almost three out of five (59%) can have a conversation in one. These are some of the results of the new Eurobarometer on “Europeans and their languages” that the Commission published. Coinciding with the world day for cultural diversity, […]
CJEU Judgment: frontier workers must enjoy the same social advantages as resident workers
A Belgian national works in Luxembourg and lives in Belgium. As a frontier worker, he depends on the Luxembourg system for family allowances, which he received for several years for a child placed in his household by a court order. In 2017, the Luxembourg Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants (CAE) (Children’s Future Fund) nevertheless withdrew […]
EIB and MicroBank to provide €200 million to finance microenterprises and self-employed in Spain
The EIB and MicroBank have signed a €100 million loan that MicroBank will top up with a further €100 million to provide microloans to small businesses and self-employed individuals wanting to launch or expand their businesses. The transaction will boost job creation, especially among young entrepreneurs in need of liquidity to turn their ideas into business […]
EU mobilises assistance for Gaza via Cyprus Maritime Corridor
A new aid shipment from Cyprus to Gaza via the Maritime Corridor and the newly constructed US pier is taking place, carrying EU supplies. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Romania is sending more than 88,000 cans of food to Palestinians in need. The Commission covers the transport costs of this delivery. An EU logistics […]
European Commission initiates formal proceedings against Meta under the Digital Services Act in relation to the protection of minors on Facebook and Instagram
The Commission has opened formal proceedings to assess whether Meta, the provider of Facebook and Instagram, may have breached the Digital Services Act (DSA) in areas linked to the protection of minors. The Commission is concerned that the systems of both Facebook and Instagram, including their algorithms, may stimulate behavioural addictions in children, as well as […]
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU
Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia have no place in the European Union or anywhere in the world. Ensuring that no one is left behind requires us to focus on fighting inequalities and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. Equality, freedom and justice must apply to everyone regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender […]