EU News Radio

Ireland ‘at risk of migratory pressure’, warns EU

The number of migrants arriving in Ireland is putting the national asylum and reception system under strain, the European Commission has warned. For the first time, under the EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the European Commission has calculated the level of migration in each EU member state. Italy, Greece and Spain under the most pressure and will be able to call on other member states to help them. Ireland is one of 12 countries in the second category - judged to be 'at risk' if the number of migrants suddenly increases further. The EU said Ireland was under strain from a “high number” of people asking for international protection. It also said there was a “significant proportion” of migrants arriving illegally from the UK. As a member state classed ‘at risk’, Ireland can apply for extra EU funds and ask for help from EU agencies. The European Commission for Migration, Magnus Brunner, said the new system is about getting a clear picture of the current situation and sharing the burden across the European Union.

 

Out words: On their own

Dur: 0’22”

McGrath to announce EU centre to ‘detect and respond’ to disinformation

Michael McGrath will announce a new unit dedicated to detecting and responding to the threat of foreign interference. The European Commissioner has been speaking in Brussels ahead of the launch of the European Democracy Shield which is expected to be given the go-ahead on Wednesday. At its heart, the Democracy Shield will see the setting up of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience as Michael McGrath explains.

 

Out words: Democratic system

Dur: 0’21”

Shein sex dolls ‘deeply disturbing’ - McGrath

The EU will take action against platforms selling illegal products to Europe, the European Commission for Consumer Protection says. Michael McGrath has just returned from China where he raised concerns about unsafe and illegal products being sold on Chinese platforms to consumers in Europe. More than 12 million low-value parcels from China are delivered to the EU every day. The sheer quantity is overwhelming customs authorities. During his trip, it emerged that the online shopping platform, Shein, was reportedly selling sex dolls with child-like features. Shein says it had now ensured the dolls have been removed from sale. But Michael McGrath is concerned that it is part of a wider problem.

 

LONG CLIP

Out words: At our disposal

Dur: 0’52”

Shadow fleet drone attacks possible – Kubilius

Russia could use its shadow fleet as launching pads for drone attacks anywhere in Europe, the EU’s Defence Commissioner has warned. Suspicious drone activity has been sighted over Munich, Copenhagen and Brussels in recent weeks. Russian vessels are thought to have passed through Irish waters hundreds of times this year. Speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels this morning, the European Commissioner for Defence, Andrius Kubilius, said Europe needs to prepare against drone provocations.

 

Out words: Ready everywhere

Dur: 0’20”

EU ministers agree ‘Paris-proof’ climate target

EU environment ministers have agreed a new climate target for 2040 after talks that lasted through the night. A majority of EU member states voted in favour of cutting greenhouse emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2040. But NGOs have criticised the deal which allows for five percent of the cut to be out-sourced to other parts of the world, effectively paying other countries to make emission cuts on Europe’s behalf. Ministers were also unable to agree a 2035 target – the so-called NDC or National Determined Contribution - which must be presented to the UN ahead of the COP climate change conference. Instead, the EU will aim to reduce emissions ‘in the range of’ 66 to 72.5 percent over the next ten years. But the EU’s Climate Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, defended the deal which he says is both ambitious and pragmatic.

 

EARLY OUT

Out words: We reduce emissions

Dur: 0’24”

 

LONG PLAY

Out words: Of the game

Dur: 0’45”

Digital Euro will not replace cash - Dombrovskis

The digital Euro will not replace cash, the EU’s Economy Commissioner has insisted. It comes as the European Central Bank has completed its preparation phase for the digital currency, potentially clearing the way for politicians to start to legislate for it. The idea is that the digital Euro will be available both on and offline to pay for goods and services. Like using cash, the ECB says digital Euro payments will not be tracked. Responding to fears that the digital Euro could take over, the EU’s Economy Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, said that cash will remain available for physical payments anywhere in the Euro area.

 

Out words: Status of cash

Dur: 0’19”

Last attempt to agree EU climate target before COP

EU environment ministers are meeting in Brussels for a last-ditch attempt to agree a climate target before the COP climate summit. The European Commission has proposed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent by 2040, but so far ministers have not been able to reach an agreement on that percentage. Under the Paris climate agreement, the EU must inform the UN of its ten-year plan to cut emissions before the COP meeting in Brazil. But it cannot do that until the long-term 2040 target has been set. Some member states are worried that setting a target that is too stringent will kill European industry. So far, ministers have only been able to agree to a range of cutting emissions between 66 and 72 percent by 2035. Speaking ahead of the meeting in Brussels this morning, the EU’s Climate Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, insisted that that is already an impressive objective.

 

Out words: Years to come

Dur: 0’20”

Chinese baby products & cosmetics on EU hit list – McGrath

Dangerous Chinese imports including certain baby products and cosmetics will be in the firing line when EU Commissioner Michael McGrath visits China this week.

Mr McGrath, who’s responsible for EU Consumer Protection, says there’s been a “dramatic growth” in the volume of small parcels that EU consumers are buying from Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein. Some of those imports are dangerous according to the Commissioner.

Dur: 00:31

McGrath to tackle safety of Chinese imports on trip to China - Short

The safety of consumer products imported from China into the EU will be a key focus of EU Commissioner Michael McGrath’s visit to China next week.  

According to the Commissioner, about twelve million (12m) small parcels are imported into the EU every day with over ninety percent (90%) of them coming from China. He’s warning there are issues with the safety of some products bought on popular Chinese retail platforms such as Shein and Temu.

Dur: 00:20

“No future for farming” without new farmers – EU Hansen

The European Commissioner for Agriculture is warning there’s a “clear lack of investment in agriculture” which will have a knock-on effect on the productivity and continuity of farming communities.

Christoph Hansen’s comments follow last week’s presentation of the EU’s proposed “Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture”. It aims to double the share of young farmers in the bloc by 2040. The Strategy contains a range of proposed measures including a “mandatory starter pack” in the next CAP (Common Agriculture Policy) to help young people to set up and establish themselves in farming.  

Speaking today in Paris, Commissioner Hansen said less than twelve percent (12%) of EU farmers are below the age of forty (40) with the average age being above fifty seven (57).

Dur:00:22