EFSA is carrying out a third stakeholder consultation as part of its review of the guidance on risk assessment of pesticides and bees.

EFSA’s dedicated stakeholder consultation group and Member State pesticide network have been asked for feedback on the proposed approach for revising tier 1 risk assessment schemes, with a focus on crop attractiveness and risk assessment methodologies.

Stakeholders and Member State experts have already provided comments on the current guidance, which was published in 2013, and on the protocol that EFSA will use to collect and evaluate data on bee mortality.

EFSA will continue to consult stakeholders and Member State experts throughout the process. A full public consultation and workshop will take place when the guidance document has been drafted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a major economic shock that is already having a significant negative impact in the European Union. The consequences for our economies will depend both on the duration of the pandemic and on the measures being taken by national authorities and at European level.

The severe economic downturn now expected this year requires a resolute, ambitious and coordinated policy response. We need to act decisively to ensure that the shock remains as short and as limited as possible and does not create permanent damage to our economies and therefore to the sustainability of public finances in the medium term.

Ministers of Finance of the Member States of the EU agree with the assessment of the Commission, as set out in its Communication of 20 March 2020, that the conditions for the use of the general escape clause of the EU fiscal framework – a severe economic downturn in the euro area or the Union as a whole – are fulfilled.

The use of the clause will ensure the needed flexibility to take all necessary measures for supporting our health and civil protection systems and to protect our economies, including through further discretionary stimulus and coordinated action, designed, as appropriate, to be timely, temporary and targeted, by Member States.

Ministers remain fully committed to the respect of the Stability and Growth Pact. The general escape clause will allow the Commission and the Council to undertake the necessary policy coordination measures within the framework of the Stability and Growth Pact, while departing from the budgetary requirements that would normally apply, in order to tackle the economic consequences of the pandemic.

Today’s agreement reflects our strong determination to effectively address the current challenges, to restore confidence and support a rapid recovery.

The Council today decided to expand the scope of the mandate of the European Union military mission contributing to the training of the Malian Armed Forces (EUTM Mali). The mission will be able to provide military assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force and to national armed forces in the G5 Sahel countries through military advice, training and mentoring. The Council also prolonged the mission’s mandate until 18 May 2024.

The Council also provided an increased indicative budget to the mission of €133.7 million for a four-year period.

The activities of the mission will continue to be conducted in close coordination and cooperation with other actors such as the United Nations, the Barkhane operation and the Economic Community of West African States.

EUTM Mali is part of the EU’s integrated approach to security and development in the Sahel. The mission was established in 2013, at the request of the Malian Government, to respond to the need to strengthen the capabilities of the Malian Armed Forces, the ultimate goal being a safe and secure environment within Malian borders and a reduction of the threat posed by terrorist groups. To this effect, EUTM Mali contributes to improving the operational capacity of the Malian Armed Forces through the provision of military advice, training, education and mentoring. The tasks carried out by the mission are under the control of Mali’s legitimate civilian authorities and do not comprise combat operations.

The headquarters of the mission are located in Bamako, Mali. The commander of the mission is Brigadier General João Boga Ribeiro, a Portuguese national who took up his duties in December 2019.

There are two other CSDP civilian missions in the region: EUCAP Sahel Mali, which assists the internal security forces with reasserting the government’s authority over the whole of the country, and EUCAP Sahel Niger, which supports the fight against organised crime and terrorism in Niger. In addition, a Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell initiates and coordinates capacity-building activities for all G5 countries and the G5 structures with the support of the existing CSDP Missions.

Last week, the Commission set up a scheme to gather medical equipment (through rescEU) so that the necessary supplies to combat COVID-19 can quickly get to member states facing shortages of equipment. This equipment is needed to treat infected patients, protect health care workers and help slow down the spread of the virus.

Parliament is working with member states to swiftly approve 40 out of 50 million EUR for intensive care medical equipment such as ventilators and personal protective equipment, such as reusable masks.

Member states are also joining forces under the Joint Procurement Agreement to buy personal protective equipment, respiratory ventilators and items necessary for coronavirus testing. Working together in this way will give them a stronger position on the world market.

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Commenting on the Commission’s proposal, the Chair of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR) said:

“Last week, Europe took several historic decisions to counter COVID-19, including its impact on the EU economy. We do not say this enough and we do not say it loud enough. Europe is doing everything it can to save lives. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has previously saved EU citizens in the midst of earthquakes, hurricanes and floods and fighting forest fires. We are now, for the very first time, using EU funds under rescEU to support member states efforts to combat the virus by ensuring we have much needed medical and protective equipment. It is EU solidarity in action.”

“The current crisis also shows that having sufficient means to match the needs of the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism programme post-2020 is important, as per Parliament’s position,” concludes Canfin.

Background

RescEU is part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which strengthens cooperation between EU countries in the field of civil protection. Since rescEU was created in 2019, the EU can directly assist member states hit by disasters when national capacities are overstretched.

Thanks to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, more than 1.800 citizens have been repatriated from all over the world following the outbreak of COVID-19. Click here to find out about your member state.