Diary For June And Australia In The News…
- June 5th, 2007
- Posted by EUEditor
Climate change, asylum seekers, environmental moves on fisheries and flying, more changes in agriculture are in the diary for this month — and the diary notes some unusual media mentions for Australia.
MONTH OF JUNE
June begins with the debate on efforts to contain climate change at the G8 (see “Cold peace and climate change …”, EUAustralia).
The European Commission is to publish a “refugee policy package” on 6.6.07, a first step towards a common asylum system, part of an overall policy reform sharply separating illegal and legal entry into the EU.
More cuts in EU fishing quotas are expected (7.6.07) after disclosures that 80% of fish stocks are outside of safe biological limits set by scientists. The European Commission says only three out of 33 fish stocks are being exploited sustainably and it wants quotas brought closer to the safe limits.
Agriculture Ministers of the 27 EU countries are expected (11.6.07) to approve changes for the fruit and vegetables industry, where producers will come under pressure to join peak organisations and a single payments scheme; and they’ll be offered subsidies for promotion of healthy foods. The Ministers are also set to approve legislation to phase out public buying of surplus maize, another step in the renovation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), but one encountering resistance from producers and politicians in Eastern Europe, especially Hungary where most stocks are being held.
The European Council will be asked to legislate (13.6.07) to set up a private-public research partnership between the EU and seven aerospace manufacturers, to improve environmental impacts of aviation. The research program is to cost some EU 1.7-billion (A$2.75-billion; dcerates.com, 4.6.07).
AUSTRALIA NOTES
News monitoring in May picked up a little more interest in Australian events beyond routine high mentions in sport; three main stories noted:
The visit of the Greek Prime Minister to Australia for signing of an important pensions and other benefits package.
Australia’s security agreement with the Philippines, seen as the consummation of many efforts to follow up the 2002 Bali bombing with action against terrorists in South-east Asia.
The adoption of greenhouse standards for control of global warming. Coverage refrained from interpretations heard in the past that Australia would be acting to comply with US initiatives. Instead the non-nuclear country was seen as having “one of the world’s worst per capita records” for air pollution (BBC World Service Radio 3-4.6.07); it was reacting to lessons taught by a the severe drought; government was catching up with public demand for action.