Search Results for: France

BY KEITH NUTHALL
AMONGST all European Union (EU) countries, Finland has the highest number of nurses and midwives per head of population, – 2,181 per 100,000 inhabitants – according to the recently released and latest available comparative figures. EU statistical agency Eurostat said that these 1998-2000 figures showed Portugal as having the least nurses and midwives (379 per 100,000) and Greece the second worst performer (391).…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
JANUARY sales figures collated from across the European Union (EU) have shown trade picking up compared with 2003, with a 2.2 per cent increase showing a market improvement over weaker pre-Christmas sales, where a 0.4 per cent rise was recorded.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE WORLD’S increasing reliance on cars is threatening efforts to combat climate change, according to a report published by the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). Although its report ‘Oil Crises and Climate Challenges’ found that oil consumption has been declining since 1973 in every other industrial and service sector, soaring transport demands meant overall levels have not declined.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
A EUROPEAN coastguard service should be established to tighten protection of European Union (EU) shores, the European Parliament’s temporary committee on improving safety at sea has recommended following its Prestige disaster inquiry. The organisation would have the authority to assign emergency moorings and ports in the even t of a maritime accident, strictly monitor the following of ships to correct routes and prosecute the illegal entry of vessels.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE ASSOCIATION of British Insurers (ABI) is pressing the UK Government to maintain its raised level of spending on flood defences, as it works towards its next public spending round announcement in the summer. Following the spate of disastrous floods in 2000, Whitehall in 2002 increased its annual spending on the problem by Pounds 150 million.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
BELGIUM is the European Union’s (EU) salmonellosis hotspot according the latest comparative figures collated by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical agency. In 2001, 104 cases were recorded in Belgium per 100,000 people, with other high figures being recorded in Germany (94 cases), Luxembourg (83) and Austria (81).…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
THE EUROPEAN Union’s (EU) joint research centre (JRC) is testing innovative construction materials that are especially designed to fight against air pollution. In a joint scheme with academic institutes, building supply and chemical companies the JRC’s PICADA project (photo-catalytic innovative coverings applications for de-pollution assessment) is examining special plaster, mortar, architectural concrete and anti-pollution coatings.…

BY ALAN OSBORN
THE FIRST step towards admitting “interspecific” vines, or hybrids, to the top wine classifications in Europe has been taken by the European Commission, which has ordered a study to see if such vines can produce quality wines to rival Bordeaux, Graves or Chianti.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
INVESTMENTS in the waste water systems of the Spanish Basque province of Guipuzcoa that are likely to be supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB) should also positively benefit the environmental health of water supplies in France’s Basque country.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL
EURATOM has released its 2002 report on inquiries carried out by its European Commission officials tasked with checking the safety and security of nuclear installations across the European Union (EU); although the paper’s conclusions was generally satisfactory, it notes a number of problems detected that required resolution.…