Search Results for: Belgium

BY KEITH NUTHALL

A REPORT from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) has revealed that almost a half of OECD member countries (including many in Europe) have potentially dangerous nutrient and pesticide concentrations in drinking water sources.

Tests carried out in recent years (NOTE: CALLED MID-2000’S IN THE REPORT) on surface water and groundwater monitoring sites in agricultural areas show these pollutants often "exceed national drinking water recommended limits" said a new OECD report on the environmental impact of farming.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

A DEAL has been struck at the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers over unbundling of gas (and electricity) networks, which will allow formal ownership of production and distribution operations.

However, this compromise option will insist on transmission systems being managed by an independent operator.…

BY HELENA FLUSFEDER, in Jerusalem

FOR the fledgling state of Israel in 1951, being dependent on two foreign companies for its supply of petrol was hardly ideal, especially at a time of war when the companies had reduced their activities in the country.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE NUMBER of counterfeit cigarettes seized at the external borders of the European Union (EU) fell 63% in 2007 compared to the previous year, the European Commission has concluded. Brussels said 27.1 million packets worth (20 stick equivalent) of counterfeit cigarettes were seized.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

AN ALLIANCE of Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden have effectively blocked moves to create a European Public Prosecutor position. The European Commission has dropped draft proposals establishing the post within Eurojust, the European Union’s (EU) network of prosecution agencies.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

ROAD transport has been booming in the 10 eastern and southern European countries joining the European Union (EU) in 2004. Between 1995 and 2005, traffic volumes increased by 400%, compared to 16% in longer established EU member states such as Britain, a consultants report written for the European Commission has claimed.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

BRITISH hauliers are still at risk when driving though long road tunnels on the continent, with European governments failing to introduce officially recommended safety designs and equipment.

So concludes the latest European Union (EU)-supported European Tunnel Assessment Programme (EuroTAP) safety probe.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE EUROPEAN Commission yesterday (Tues 20 May) proposed ending a long-established link between paying fibre crop producers’ subsidies and the amount of flax and hemp that they grow. Brussels wants these grants rolled into the EU’s single payment system, where farming subsidies are not governed by harvest levels.…

By Keith Nuthall

A UNITED Nations-sponsored global initiative to encourage business schools to teach and promote social and environmentally responsible commercial practices has gathered a critical mass of support. More than 100 business schools worldwide have now signed up to the Principles for Responsible Management Initiative.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE LOW Countries markets of Belgium and the Netherlands are a good place to take Europe’s converting industry temperature as it rides the recession this year. There is no denying that business is down in this key European region, but there are certainly no signs of melt-down and converters in this country appear well positioned to exploit an economic recovery, when it comes.…