Up the creek without a paddle for years?
Two EU sources familiar with the bloc's latest thinking on a possible Brexit told Reuters on Thursday there was no appetite to grant any extension of the two years provided by the EU's Lisbon Treaty for negotiating a withdrawal, while any new trade partnership would take many more years to conclude. The stark view from Brussels means Britain could initially be cut adrift without any preferential relationship with its biggest trade partner:
Energy policies would be rolled back, demand for environmental experts would drop and Britain's voice in global climate change talks would be lost if it votes to leave the EU, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas told EurActiv's partner edie.net in an exclusive interview: www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/uk-mp-worrying-link-between-leave-camp-and-climate-change-denial/
[UK farmers] are weighing the opportunity [of the EU referendum] to gain more local control of their businesses against the risk of losing some 3 billion pounds in annual subsidies that many rely upon to stay afloat, reports Bloomberg: www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-28/farmers-reliant-on-eu-subsidy-may-want-brexit-anyway
The European Parliament today approved the European Commission's implementation of the EU budget in 2014, granting the so-called "discharge" with an overwhelming support…Before taking its decision, the Parliament examines the accounts and the balance sheet as prepared by the Commission as well as the European Court of Auditors' annual report and any relevant special reports. See the Commission's press release here: europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-16-1612_en.htm
[P]oliticians in Westminster and Stormont have failed to address the risks [for Northern Ireland] associated with the UK's departure from the EU, according to a report by RUSI (Royal United Services Institute) picked up by Politico. These may adversely affect the region's prosperity and the delicate peace process: rusi.org/publication/rusi-journal/who-will-speak-northern-ireland-looming-danger-ulster-brexit
Europe's highest court on Thursday (28 April) ruled that the European Commission's calculation for handing out free carbon permits to industries was flawed, raising the prospect of higher costs for big energy users…If the verdict leads to fewer allowances, as analysts expect, it will be a blow to the big polluters, who brought the case, reports EurActiv: www.euractiv.com/section/climate-environment/news/eu-court-overturns-carbon-market-free-quotas-in-blow-for-big-polluters/
VW and Shell have united to try to block Europe's push for electric cars and more efficient cars, saying biofuels should be at heart of efforts to green the industry instead, reports EurActiv. The EU is planning two new fuel efficiency targets for 2025 and 2030 to help meet promises made at the Paris climate summit: www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/vw-and-shell-try-to-block-eu-push-for-electric-cars/
European Commissioner for Fisheries Karmenu Vella signed a joint declaration on illegal fishing with his Canadian counterpart Hunter Tootoo yesterday, designed to send a "zero tolerance" message to crime in the fishing sector, reports Politico Morning Agri and Food: dub129.mail.live.com
The National Front has moved to block any strengthening of the rules regarding the employment of MEPs' assistants, even as the party is being investigated for abusing EU funds.EurActiv France reports: www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/national-front-tries-to-block-tighter-checks-on-assistants-pay/
The European Commission's charges on Google Android are likely to result in a lengthy dispute as analysts understand the internet giant will put up a vigorous defence to all charges. EurActiv's partner PaRR reports:
Courtesy of Peter Morris, European Movement in North East