EU News Radio

End ‘take, make, break and throw away’ culture – EU

The European Commission today announced a package of proposals to make sustainable products the norm in the EU. The package includes new rules to make almost all physical goods on the EU market more friendly to the environment, circular, and energy efficient.

The proposals will also give consumers more power so that they’re  better informed about the environmental sustainability of products and better protected against greenwashing.

When announcing the proposals today, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, said it’s time to end the "take, make, break and throw away" culture.

Out words: why not?

Dur: 00:16

EU must be in charge of its own “energy future” – Commissioner

The EU needs to move “even faster to reshape” its energy system and end its dependency on Russian energy as soon as possible.  

That's the warning from the European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis . This morning he outlined the Commission’s latest proposals for ensuring the security of gas supply for next winter. The plans include ways to mitigate the impact of price increases on households, and to boost renewable energy sources.

The Commissioner told the European Parliament the EU needs to reduce its reliance on Russian fossil fuels this year. And he said renewables are a “perfect solution” for Europe.

Out words: energy choices

Dur: 00:10

Putin risking Africa famine, warns von der Leyen

“Let those ships go!”. Putin is blocking hundreds of Ukrainian food ships from reaching their destinations, according to the President of the European Commission. Ukraine is a major global food exporter. It is particularly important in providing wheat and barley, not just to Europe, but also to developing countries. Speaking to the European Parliament this afternoon, Ursula von der Leyen, warned Russia is risking causing famine and urged Putin to allow food through.

 

Out words:  These ships go! [Clapping]

Dur: 0’41”

EU publishes ideas to cut energy bills

The European Commission has published its ideas on how to bring down energy bills. Electricity and gas prices have increased sharply in recent months, exacerbated by covid and the war in Ukraine. Cutting taxes or introducing a cap on electricity or fossil fuel production are amongst the ideas put forward by the EU. The 27 heads of state and government, including Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, will discuss the proposals when they meet in Brussels tomorrow. Announcing the publication by the European Commission this lunchtime, Executive Vice President, Valdis Dombrovskis, warned reaching an agreement would not be easy.

 

Out words: Member states

Dur: 0’19”

€15m EU aid for Irish farmers

The EU has announced €500 million in aid to support European farmers impacted by the Ukraine crisis. The war in Ukraine has caused a domino effect of problems including rising food, feed and fuel prices. The Irish Farmers Association has also warned of the rising price of fertilizer, up 127 per cent on last year. The EU has now allocated €15.8 million for Irish farmers. The government must prove the money will be used for those “hardest hit by the crisis”. Speaking this lunchtime, the European Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, said we need to increase food production here.

Out words: Food security
Dur: 0’24”

EU moves to secure “rocketing” food prices

Four million hectares of land set aside for the environment can now be dug up, under emergency measures just announced by the EU. The pressure on food was already a worry following covid. Now there is a war in Ukraine - the breadbasket of Europe. Wheat prices have increased by 70 per cent since the start of the conflict, according to the EU. The European Commission has this lunchtime set out a raft of measures to increase farming production and secure food supply. EU Agriculture Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski, says dropping green measures will allow land the size of the Netherlands to be planted with food crops.

 

Out words: Specific situation

Dur: 0’19”

EU doubling Bosnia troop numbers

The EU is doubling its forces in Bosnia to avoid any spillover from the Ukraine conflict.

 

Operation Althea will step up patrols. The EU will also spend 10 million Euro on new military equipment.

 

Speaking on a visit to Bosnia today (Wednesday), the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, said the stability of the Western Balkans is more important now than ever.

 

Out words: Ten million Euros

Dur: 0’55”

Ninety per cent Russians “unaware” of Ukraine war

Ninety per cent of Russians are unaware of the war being fought in Ukraine – that’s according to the European Commissioner against disinformation.

 

As part of its sanctions against Russia, the EU has already blocked RT (Russia Today) and Sputnik, accusing them of broadcasting propaganda.

 

Speaking in Brussels this lunchtime, European Commissioner, Thierry Breton, said the invasion of Ukraine was a “Total War” in which news and information is a new battlefield.

 

Speaking through an interpreter, the French commissioner praised journalists reporting from Ukraine

 

Out words: They’ve been told

Dur: 0’21”

Russia not Europe must suffer most from sanctions - Donohoe

Russia, not Europe, must feel the greatest cost from EU sanctions – that’s the warning from Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe.

Euro ministers are meeting today (Monday) and tomorrow to discuss the impact of the Ukraine war on the European economy. In a joint statement just published, the Eurogroup warned uncertainty has “increased significantly”.

It comes on top of existing pressure on the supply chain, higher energy prices and inflation.

Speaking in Brussels this afternoon, Finance Minister, Paschal Donohoe, said the Irish government has been proactive in trying to support citizens, but the EU may be able to do more together.

Out words: At European level

Dur: 0’17”

Ukrainian refugees can get jobs, education, housing and more – EU Commissioner

An EU protection mechanism for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine will enable them to avail of rights and services in all EU countries, including Ireland.  

Last week EU member states agreed to implement the Temporary Protection Directive which is designed to provide assistance and protection to war refugees.  

Today, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, said the Commission would soon present guidelines on how the directive can be implemented.  

Out words: the European Union

Dur: 01:00