European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EP Answers
The Collaborative Economy: What’s at stake?
Citizens have contacted the European Parliament wanting to know how the EU is regulating the new fast moving ‘collaborative or sharing economy’. This rapidly evolving sector touches on a number of aspects of the economy including in the areas of accommodation (short-term letting); passenger transport; household services; professional and technical services, and collaborative finance. Commission … Continue reading
What is the EU’s role in the introduction of a road toll for private vehicles in Germany?
In view of the new road toll for private vehicles foreseen in Germany, citizens have turned to the European Parliament and have raised concerns that this ‘infrastructural levy’ might discriminate EU citizens who do not reside in Germany. Following the adoption by the German authorities of a law introducing a road charging scheme for cars, … Continue reading
What is the EU doing to fight against poverty and social exclusion?
European citizens regularly contact the European Parliament on the subject of poverty and social exclusion in Europe, calling for more to be done to help poor people to escape their predicament. So what is the EU doing about it? Measures against poverty and social exclusion are among the specific objectives of the Union and its … Continue reading
Summertime: changing of the clocks, but why?
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament with comments on the changing of the clocks. Some citizens are in favour of the summertime /wintertime arrangements; others call on the Parliament to abolish it. On Sunday 26 March 2017 clocks go forward, but why? In fact, twice a year the clocks in all EU Member States … Continue reading
Petitions to the European Parliament: How does it work?
What is the procedure for submitting a petition to the European Parliament? Citizens are broadly aware of their right to submit a petition, however they often request further information about the procedure to send the petition and on the way the petitions are afterwards discussed in the EP Committee. Right of petition Any citizen of … Continue reading
How does the EU promote sign languages?
In reference to sign languages, citizens contact the European Parliament requesting information on the status of sign languages at EU level, the actions taken to promote it and how its interpretation works in the EU institutions. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention), ratified by the European Union on … Continue reading
What measures is the EU taking to combat terrorism?
Following various terrorist attacks in Europe, citizens write to the European Parliament expressing their deepest rejection of these acts of terrorism. Citizens also ask the EU institutions to adopt new measures to combat and prevent these crimes. Many European countries have been affected by terrorism in one form or another. Heinous terrorist attacks have demonstrated … Continue reading
Renewal of the authorisation of the use of the herbicide substance glyphosate
Many citizens want to know what is the European Parliament’s position on the renewal of the authorisation of the use of glyphosate. On November 2015, the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) declared that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and the evidence does not support classification with regard to its … Continue reading
Plastic bags: EU’s response to reducing consumption
Citizens want to know what the EU is doing to reduce the consumption of plastic bags given the negative impact on marine wildlife and the environment. In the EU, plastic carrier bags are considered as packaging under Directive 94/62/EC. The use of plastic carrier bags result in littering and an inefficient use of resources. Moreover, … Continue reading
Citizens’ questions to the European Parliament in 2016
In both European and international politics, 2016 was a memorable year, and this was reflected in over 87 000 questions put by citizens to the President of the European Parliament or to its Citizens Enquiries Unit/Ask EP unit. Top topics: Poland, EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement and Migration The most pressing issue for citizens in 2016 was … Continue reading
EU actions to combat wildlife crime
What are the EU actions to combat wildlife crime and on the import of wild animal parts into the EU? The European Parliament has, on many occasions, denounced the illicit trafficking of wild animal parts and strives to support the protection and welfare of wild animals. The European Union seeks to protect and conserve endangered … Continue reading
Wintertime: why change the clocks?
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament with comments on the changing of the clocks. Some citizens are in favour of the summertime /wintertime arrangements; others call on the Parliament to abolish it. On Sunday 30 October clocks go back one hour, but why? In fact, twice a year the clocks in all EU Member … Continue reading
Fight against corruption
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament to comment on various cases of alleged corruption. Furthermore, they request information on how to lodge a complaint and to ask the EU to act in the fight against corruption. Corruption remains a challenge for society as a whole and is one of the serious crimes that can … Continue reading
A guide to the Sakharov Prize (2016)
Find out more on the procedure related to the European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and how its nominees are chosen. Each year the European Parliament awards the Sakharov to honour individuals or organisations for their efforts on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedoms. This prize was set up in 1988 in … Continue reading
Trending: topics catching citizens’ attention in 2016
Every day, citizens from all over Europe and the rest of the world turn to the European Parliament to request information, express opinions or suggest solutions on a wide range of topics. Ask EP provides an overview of the main issues raised by the citizens who wrote to the European Parliament during the first six … Continue reading
Animal testing
There is a strong public interest in the issue of animal welfare, and many people have concerns about some of the methods used in animal testing. The protection and welfare of animals is an issue covered by a wide range of EU legislation, such as the protection of wildlife, zoo animals, farm animals, animals in … Continue reading
Emissions in the automotive sector
Citizens recurrently turn to the Parliament to request information about the EU’s actions to fight against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles. After the car emissions scandal in September 2015, citizens asked for stricter controls of emission measurements in the automotive sector. Following the car emissions scandal in September 2015, the European Parliament adopted … Continue reading
Recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications
When moving from one EU country to another or whilst studying abroad, citizens frequently write to the European Parliament to request information about the legislation in force with regard to the recognition of professional or academic qualifications. In particular, they enquire about the administrative procedures and documents needed to get a diploma recognised in another … Continue reading
Patents and plant breeders’ rights
Following the decision of the European Patents Office (EPO) to authorise patents on certain products derived from conventional selection methods, many citizens have called on Parliament, as well as the Commission, to take steps in order to clarify existing EU rules and protect plant breeders’ access to biological resources. Plant breeding is an innovative process … Continue reading
Summertime: changing the clocks
Citizens recurrently turn to the Parliament with comments on the switch between summer and winter time. Some citizens are in favour of the summertime arrangements; others call on the Parliament to help to abolish the practice. Twice a year the clocks in all EU Member States are switched forward by one hour from winter to … Continue reading
