The Week Ahead: 7th - 11th September 2020

Reversing demographic trends in EU regions; Human Rights situation in Belarus; Situation of the agricultural sector; Vote on the European Climate Law.

Reversing (negative) demographic trends in EU regions

In the EU, one region in three is expected to experience population decline from 2008 to 2030. On Monday morning, ECR Rapporteur Elżbieta Rafalska will present a draft of an opinion how to tackle the challenges within the EU’s less developed, rural, mountain and post-industrial urban areas; all of which are at risk of de-population. In the ECR’s point of view, depopulating regions should benefit more from EU funds in order to improve infrastructure, means of communication and access to broadband Internet as well as to adapt the public space to the needs of the elderly, families with children and the disabled people.

When: Monday @ 9.40 am

Human rights situation in Belarus

The Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold an Exchange on the human rights situation in Belarus following the presidential elections of 9 August together with representatives of the Belarusian civil society, on Monday.

When: Monday @ 11.30 am

Current situation of the agricultural sector

On Monday afternoon, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development will hold an exchange of views with Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski on the situation of the agricultural sector and the rural development. The ECR will stand up for farmers and market gardeners who are currently facing drought, corona and animal diseases.

When: Monday @ 4.45 pm

Vote on the European Climate Law

On Thursday and Friday, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety will vote on the European Climate Law report, which sets out the European Green Deal’s headline goal – for Europe’s economy and society to become climate neutral by 2050. The report makes considerable changes to the Commission proposal; for example, by calling for the EU’s 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target to be revised upwards from 40% to 65%. The ECR is very concerned that the Rapporteur has reworked the European Climate Law, a proposal for framework legislation, into a Treaty-like act. The current changes reach far beyond the ENVI committee’s remit with proposals that have not been impact assessed, but—if adopted—will have significant socio-economic effects on Europe’s citizens.

When: Thursday @ 11 am