Bulgarian Presidency begins with €100 million Juncker Plan loan for agri-pharma business Huvepharma

As the College of Commissioners visit Sofia to mark the beginning of the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €100 million loan with Bulgarian agri-pharma business Biovet to finance a boost in production levels and research and development (R&D) in the area of animal health. The loan is guaranteed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the central pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe, the Juncker Plan. As a result of this financing, 210 jobs will be created in rural parts of Bulgaria.

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov witnessed the signing of today’s deal by Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, Agriculture Minister of Bulgaria Rumen Porodzanov, EIB Vice-President Andrew McDowell and Kiril Domuschiev, Chief Executive Officer of Biovet’s parent company Huvepharma.

Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said: “It is a great pleasure to be here to sign the biggest EFSI transaction in Bulgaria so far: €100 million to Biovet. Thanks to the EU budget guarantee, the EIB was able to offer the company this loan and as a result we will see more R&D activity in rural areas in Bulgaria, leading to growth in the economy and new jobs created. I wish every success to Biovet, and to the Bulgarian Presidency for the next six months.”

Commissioner Phil Hogan, responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, said: “The agriculture sector in Europe supports 44 million jobs and is a growth sector with enormous potential for growth. Investment is essential if that potential is to be fully realised. The EIB has a crucial role to play and I warmly welcome their support for agri companies such as Biovet as a clear indication of their firm commitment to the agri food sector, which will continue to provide jobs in rural areas and boost the economy.”

Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Rumen Porodzanov said: “I am delighted that the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union starts with such an important message to the Bulgarian agricultural sector. The financing of this project embodies the European Investment Bank’s credibility towards the Bulgarian government and the Bulgarian business. The possibility of implementing such an extremely important and effective project in the field of veterinary medicine and animal health care is indicative of the perspectives of Bulgarian agriculture. We are proud that BIOVET project is part of the Juncker Plan.“

EIB Vice-President Andrew McDowell said: “This operation supported by the EIB and the Investment Plan for Europe will strengthen the competitiveness of a leading company in the veterinary sector in Bulgaria, reinforcing Europe’s leading position in the animal health market. This is important as animal health is a key element of the EU farming industry and an area of concern for all European citizens.”

Huvepharma CEO Kiril Domuschiev said: “Huvepharma is determined to continue its growth strategy as an EU-based animal health company operating on global markets. Support of the EIB allows us to accelerate our investments in Bulgarian production and R&D facilities, thereby reinforcing our strategy to build a fully-integrated animal health company with production facilities in the EU and selling on global markets.“

The project includes the design, construction and management of two new facilities: a fermentation facility in Peshtera in southern Bulgaria which will manufacture active substances, nutritional supplements, enzymes, probiotics and ready medicinal formulations for animal and human health; as well as a new plant in Razgrad in north-east Bulgaria for the manufacturing of animal vaccines. The project will also enable the

company to carry out R&D in the fields of microbiology and new product development, such as vaccines, enzymes, as well as process improvement and formulation.

Background

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union’s bank. It is the long-term lending institution of the EU and is the only bank owned by and representing the interests of the European Union Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investments in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIB works closely with other EU institutions to implement EU policy.

As the largest multilateral borrower and lender by volume, the EIB provides finance and expertise for sound and sustainable investment projects which contribute to furthering EU policy objectives. More than 90% of EIB activity is focused on Europe but it also supports the EU’s external and development policies.

The Investment Plan for Europe, the Juncker Plan, is one of the European Commission’s top priorities. It focuses on boosting investments to create jobs and growth by making smarter use of new and existing financial resources, removing obstacles to investment and providing visibility and technical assistance to investment projects.

The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is the central pillar of the Juncker Plan. It provides a first loss guarantee, allowing the EIB to invest in more, often riskier, projects. The EFSI is already showing concrete results. The projects and agreements approved for financing under the EFSI so far are expected to mobilise some EUR 256bn in investments and support up to 540 000 SMEs across all 28 Member States. The European Parliament and Member States agreed in December 2017 to extend EFSI’s duration and increase its financial capacity.

Huvepharma is a privately-owned, global animal health company with headquarters in Sofia, Bulgaria, that brands a broad portfolio of products used in swine, poultry and cattle production. The company is committed to develop and produce world-class products with an emphasis on providing value-enhanced solutions for animal-producing customers. Huvepharma is selling in more than 90 countries with subsidiaries in all major farm animal-producing regions globally, including manufacturing sites in Europe and the USA.

More information

Investment Plan website: latest news and results from the EFSI

Memo: Extension of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) – Frequently Asked Questions

EIB EFSI website: full list of EFSI projects and how to apply for financing

Advisory Hub: technical assistance for project promoters and small businesses

Project Portal: free service, matching investment opportunities with investors



CALENDRIER du 15 au 21 janvier 2018

(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 15 janvier 2018

15-18/01 European Parliament plenary session, in Strasbourg

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Joseph Daul, President of the European People’s Party (EPP) and Mr Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Hans-Olaf Henkel, Member of the European Parliament.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Nasr al-Hariri, Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission.

Ms Federica Mogherini receives Mr Adel al-Jubeir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives Mr Ronan Kelly, President of Fibre to the Home Council Europe (FTTH).

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Jean Bizet, Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the French Senate, and a delegation from the Committee.

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Mr Henrik Vuornos, Chairman of the Youth of the National Coalition Party of Finland, and a delegation from the Youth of the National Coalition Party.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives a delegation from the European Affairs Committee of the French Senate.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France (jusqu’à 17/01):rencontre M. Mounir Mahjoubi, Secrétaire d’Etat auprès du Premier ministre français chargé du Numérique.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives Mr Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO of the “Education Above All” foundation.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives Mr Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mr Phil Hogan receives a delegation from the European Affairs Committeeof the French Senate.

Ms Violeta Bulc au Luxembourg: rencontre M. François Bausch, Ministre du Développement durable et des Infrastructures du Luxembourg; visite le terminal intermodal Bettembourg-Dudelange et la gare de Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg; rencontre M. Xavier Bettel, Premier Ministre du Luxembourg; participe à un Dialogue citoyen; et rencontre les membres des commissions des Affaires étrangères et européennes, de l’Economie, du Développement durable de la Chambre des Députés.

Ms Margrethe Vestager receives Mr Zhang Ming, Head of the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union. 

Mr Carlos Moedas receives Mr Petteri Taalas, Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Ms Mariya Gabriel holds a High-Level Expert Group meeting on Fake News, in Brussels.

Ms Mariya Gabriel holds the Western Balkans roundtable of operators, in Brussels.

 

Mardi 16 janvier 2018

College meeting

European Parliament plenary session, in Strasbourg.

President Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the plenary of the European Parliament on the conclusions of the European Council of December and the conclusion of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France:rencontre le Bureau national du Parti Socialiste.

 

Mercredi 17 janvier 2018

European Parliament plenary session, in Strasbourg

President Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the plenary of the European Parliament on the beginning of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete delivers a keynote speech at the 531st Plenary Session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on “The climate finance pact”.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France: est auditionné par la Commission des affaires étrangères de l’Assemblée nationale; et rencontre Mme Nicole Belloubet, Garde des Sceaux, ministre de la Justice.  

Mr Christos Stylianides in Wiesbaden, Germany: meets Mr Peter Beuth, Minister for the Interior and Sports of the Land of Hessen.

Ms Margrethe Vestager delivers a speech at the “Future of Europe 2018: Fair competition as a growth engine for the future of Europe” conference, in Brussels

Mr Carlos Moedas participates in a working lunch with the members of the High-Level Group on Key Enabling Technologies.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Ljubljana, Slovenia (until 18/01): meets Mr Boris Koprivnikar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Administration of Slovenia; and Mr Marko Grobelnik, Digital Champion of Slovenia.

 

Jeudi 18 janvier 2018

European Parliament plenary session, in Strasbourg

President Jean-Claude Juncker hosts the European Commission’s New Year’s reception

Mr Frans Timmermans receives Ms Isabelle Kocher, CEO of Engie.

Mr Jyrki Katainen meets Mr Jukka Mäkelä, Mayor of Espoo, and the city board of Espoo, in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Berlin, Germany (until 20/01): visits “The Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin” research and healthcare centre and participates in a presentation of European Reference Networks; participates in the opening event of the 10th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture “Shaping the Future of Livestock – sustainably, responsibly, efficiently”, organised by the German Ministry for Food and Agriculture in the framework of the International Green Week 2018.

M. Pierre Moscovici reçoit Mme Isabelle Kocher, PDG du groupe Engie.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Vienna, Austria: meets Mr Gerald Schöpfer, President of the Austrian Red Cross; and representatives of the Austrian National Council and Federal Council.

Mr Phil Hogan in Berlin, Germany (until 20/01): participates in the official opening of the International Green Week 2018.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Venice, Italy (until 19/01): delivers a welcoming speech at the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year Gala Event.

Mr Tibor Navracsics reçoit M. Francois Germinet, Président de l’Université de Cergy-Pontoise et Président de la Conférence des Universités d’Île-de-France.

Ms Corina Creţu in Bratislava, Slovakia: participates in a working lunch with Mr Peter Pellegrini, Deputy Prime Minister for Investments of Slovakia and Mr Radko Kuruc, State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance.

Ms Corina Creţu in Belgrade, Serbia (until 19/01): meets Mr Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia.

M. Julian King à Paris, France: est auditionné par la Commission des affaires européennes et la Commission de lois du Sénat français.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Ljubljana, Slovenia: speaks in front of the parliamentary committees for EU affairs, for the Interior, public administration and local self-government in the National Assembly; participates in a Citizen’s dialogue; attends a working lunch with stakeholders; a presentation of Digital Economy and Society practices; and a meeting with women in tech at BTC Company.

Vendredi 19 janvier 2018

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives representatives of Orgalime, the European Engineering Industries Association.

Mr Jyrki Katainen delivers a keynote speech on “The Future of European Defence” as part of the Future of Europe Event Series, organised by the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), in Brussels.

Mr Jyrki Katainen receives Ms Minna Arve, Mayor of Turku.

Ms Cecilia Malmström participates in the EU-Korea Trade Committee meeting, in Brussels.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Kim Hyun-chong, Minister for Trade of Korea.

Mr Karmenu Vella delivers a speech at the High-Level Arctic Stakeholders Forum – presentation of the “Summary report of the Arctic Stakeholder Forum consultation”, in Brussels.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis in Berlin, Germany:delivers a speech at the 10th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture High-Level Panel “Animal Health and Welfare: Two cornerstones for the future of globally diversified livestock production”; and, together with Mr Phil Hogan, participates in a joint Citizens’ Dialogue on sustainable food production and consumption in the framework of the International Green Week 2018.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Paris, France: rencontre M. Alexis Kohler, Secrétaire Général de la présidence de la République française.

Mr Christos Stylianides in Berlin, Germany: meets Mr Thomas de Maizière, Federal Minister for the Interior of Germany; and Mr Karl-Heinz Schröter, Minister for the Interior and Local Issues of the Land of Brandenburg.

Mr Phil Hogan in Berlin, Germany: participates in the 10th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture High-Level Panel “Shaping the Future of Livestock – sustainably, responsibly, efficiently”, organised by the German Ministry for Food and Agriculture in the framework of the International Green Week 2018.

Ms Violeta Bulc in Hamburg, Germany: meets Mr Olaf Scholz, First Mayor of Hamburg; visits the Port of Hamburg together with Mr Jens Meier, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority; and the Fleet Support Centre of Hapag Lloyd.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska in Venice, Italy: delivers a keynote speech at the opening of the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year; and opens the 1st EU-China Tourism Business Summit; and meets Ms Nikolina Angelkova, Minister for Tourism of Bulgaria.

Ms Vĕra Jourová receives Mr Carl Dolan, Director of the Transparency International EU Office.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Budapest, Hungary: delivers a speech at the kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ supported project “European Union Physical Activity and Sport Monitoring System”.

Ms Corina Creţu in Belgrade, Serbia: meets Ms Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of Serbia; and Ms Jadranka Joksimović, Minister for European Integration.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Dublin, Ireland: receives the Gold Medal from the Historical Society of Trinity College Dublin; and participates in a Citizens’ Dialogue at the Trinity College.

Mr Carlos Moedas reçoit M. Pierre Gurdjian, Président du Conseil d’Administration de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), et M. Yvon Englert, recteur de l’ULB.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria: delivers a speech on “Digital and Organisational Transformation: The New Status Quo” at “The Economist World in 2018 Gala Dinner”.

 

Samedi 20 janvier 2018

Mr Karmenu Vella in Nijmegen, The Netherlands: delivers a speech at the 2018 European Green Capital handover and opening ceremony.

Mr Vytenis Andriukaitis and Mr Phil Hogan in Berlin, Germany: participate in the 10th Berlin Agriculture Ministers’ conference “Agriculture and Water – Key to Feeding the World”, hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Valletta, Malta: participates in and delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the European Capital of Culture; meets representatives of the National Youth Council of Malta; and representatives of the European Democrat Students’ organisation.

 

Prévisons du mois de janvier:

22/01 – Foreign Affairs Council, in Brussels.

22/01 – Eurogroup, in Brussels.

23/01 – Economic and Financial Affairs Council, in Brussels.

25-26/01 – Informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

29/01 – Agriculture and Fisheries Council, in Brussels.

31/01 – 02/02 – Informal meeting of competitiveness ministers, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

 

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 13 au 14 janvier 2018:

Johannes BAHRKE: +32 460 75 86 15

Permanence RAPID – GSM: +32 (0) 498 982 748

Service Audiovisuel, planning studio – tél. : +32 (0)2/295 21 23



Press release: Environment Agency announces £750,000 to tackle single use plastics

The announcement follows a pledge to eliminate avoidable waste and crack down on plastics as part of the government’s 25-year environment plan launched yesterday.

The pioneer project will see the creation of a new Plastics and Sustainability team across Devon and Cornwall working with businesses, local councils, charities and community action groups, such as the Bude Cleaner Seas Project.

The team will aim to reduce the amount of plastic pollution across land, rivers and the coastline. It will promote better environmental practices across industry, including a reduction in plastic waste from manufacturing, along with community campaigns to clean up pollution locally.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, made the announcement from Bude, Cornwall today where she met with groups and charities who strive to clean up the coastline and keep it free of pollution.

Emma Howard Boyd said:

The government’s ambitious plan for the environment is a significant step forward and the Environment Agency’s commitment to reduce plastic pollution shows how we are already working to put the plan into action.

Plastic pollution is a threat to our natural environment and our new team promises to tackle it head on. By working together, we can reduce the amount which enters our land, rivers and the sea and protect wildlife for future generations.

The Environment Agency’s work with partners to improve bathing waters has led to a dramatic improvement in water quality in recent years which has benefited coastal communities, visitors and tourism. A similar partnership approach will be taken by the new Plastics and Sustainability team. The ambitions for the project include:

  • A reduction of plastics reaching land, waterways and shorelines.
  • Promotion of better environmental practices in business and a reduction in plastic waste from the start of the manufacturing process.
  • Increased local engagement to change public behaviour and encourage more community action to tackle pollution.
  • Monitoring and research into ways plastics enter and affect the environment, supporting leading academics in the South West.

During Emma Howard Boyd’s visit to Cornwall, she also spent time at Bude Haven school speaking to children about their passion for protecting their coastline and met local business owner Tom Dawe to find out how he had made his beachside restaurant more sustainable.

Emma will return to Bude in June to mark World Oceans Day and to see the project’s progress.



Press release: Waste offender prosecuted in Blackburn

A Director of a former Lancashire waste plastics recycling business has been sentenced to 8 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work after his company breached its environmental permit, failed to comply with enforcement notices and continued to deposit waste despite suspension and subsequent revocation of its permit.

David Holt, 50, of Brockhall Village, Blackburn, was sentenced on Thursday, 04 January 2018 at Preston Crown Court after admitting three environmental offences relating to the operation of the former V10 Polymers Ltd waste plastics recycling business at Rockcliffe Works, Paterson Street, Blackburn.

The Environment Agency became aware of problems at the site in 2012 after complaints from members of the public. At that time, V10 Polymers Ltd was operating a waste plastics recycling business from the Rockcliffe Works site.

Due to concerns about the way the site was being operated, the Environment Agency served a formal notice requiring the company to remove all controlled waste from the site. It also advised the company to apply for an environmental permit if it wished to continue waste operations at Rockwell Works.

The Environment Agency made clear that any permit issued would require storage of combustible waste at the site to be improved and meet minimum fire prevention standards.

David Holt made an application for a permit for the site and included detailed proposals as to how the waste would be stored in the future to meet the requirements of the permit. The Environment Agency issued an environmental permit to V10 Polymers Ltd in response to this application.

However, the first inspection of the facility following the issue of the permit in April 2014 revealed excessive quantities of plastic waste stored in a manner that presented a fire risk and in breach of the company’s environmental permit.

Due to the Environment Agency’s concerns about the fire risk, a number of joint inspections were undertaken with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services.

The Environment Agency sought to work with Mr Holt, who was in day to day charge of the company’s operations, to bring about improvements in the storage arrangements and implement a mandatory fire prevention plan at the site. However, Mr Holt failed to adequately respond to those interventions.

This led the Environment Agency to revoke the site’s environmental permit from February 2016, further requiring the company to take steps to remove all remaining waste from the site by 21 March 2016.

The Environment Agency decided to prosecute after the company continued to illegally operate, despite the revocation of its permit, and failed to tackle the fire risk posed by excessive stockpiles of waste.

Environment Agency Officer, Karl Hunter said:

The operators of waste recycling facilities have a legal duty to comply with the requirements of their environmental permit to prevent the risk of harm to people and the environment.

In this case, David Holt deliberately stored an excessive quantity of combustible waste for a number of years without taking the necessary fire prevention measures. He failed to implement a fire prevention plan and repeatedly failed to act on notices served by the Environment Agency to do so. Even when the Environment Agency revoked the company’s permit, he continued to accept waste into the site, illegally.

The fire at the site on 21 August 2017, and three subsequent fires have had a significant impact on local residents and businesses and demonstrated that our concerns were well-founded. In September 2017 we used our emergency powers to create fire breaks within the waste, which significantly reduced the size and duration of subsequent fires. Had David Holt produced and complied with an adequate fire prevention plan, installing fire breaks within the waste, it would have greatly reduced the consequences of fires at the site.

We hope the court’s sentencing decision demonstrates the importance of companies adhering to their environmental permits.

On hearing mitigation on David Holt’s behalf, the court accepted that David Holt had not been a fly by night operator and had been working hard to try and maintain the business and those employed by it. The court also acknowledged his good character and contribution to his local community.

V10 Polymers Ltd and the previous site owner, Holt Developments Ltd, are now both in liquidation and the site has been sold to Driftdale Limited, an Isle of Man based property development company.

The new owner is responsible for ensuring that waste is removed from the site and correctly disposed of. The Environment Agency is working with Driftdale Ltd and our partner organisations to ensure this is completed as soon as possible. The new owners must also take all necessary steps to prevent fire until waste is removed from the site and the company has constant manned security to minimise the risk of further fires.

If you witness suspicious activity or a fire at the site, please call the emergency services. Environmental incidents should be reported to our incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

Mr Holt was also ordered to pay £10,000 towards the Environment Agency’s costs.



Government response: The Vancouver Principles

The ‘Vancouver Principles on Peacekeeping and the Prevention of the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers’ were launched at the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in Vancouver on 15 November 2017. They are a set of political commitments made on preventing child recruitment in the context of peacekeeping operations, including with regard to early warning and the active prevention of recruitment.

The UK is one of the UN Member States to endorse the Vancouver Principles, with the following declaration:

The United Kingdom reaffirms the Paris Commitments to Protect Children Unlawfully Recruited or Used by Armed Forces or Armed Groups on their 10th anniversary. The United Kingdom draws particular attention to Paris Commitment 3, to ensure that conscription and enlistment procedures comply with applicable international law, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and Paris Commitment 5, to seek the release of all children unlawfully recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups unconditionally and at all times including during armed conflict.

Having regard to the legal framework concerning the recruitment and use of children and the Paris Commitments the United Kingdom endorses the guidance set out in both the Paris Principles and the Vancouver Principles, which seek to prioritise and further operationalise child protection within UN peacekeeping missions, in advance of the launch of the Vancouver Principles on 15 November 2017.