This week in the European Parliament our MEPs will be talking reducing vehicle emissions according to more realistic standards than the current 45% target, ending the tampon tax, the future of Distributed Ledger Technologies and blockchain, as well as debating the Future of Europe with Estonian PM Jüri Ratas.

REDUCING VEHICLE EMISSIONS

New CO2 emission targets for 2030 for new cars and vans will be voted by MEPs on Wednesday. The ECR Group are concerned that the 45% reduction target adopted by the Parliament’s Environment committee is unrealistic, has not been subject to an impact assessment and is way above the 30% target proposed by the Commission. Our MEPs successfully fought attempts to delete the niche derogation which exempts smaller producers from the reduction provisions and are pleased that the amendments have not been re-tabled for plenary.

Debate: Tuesday @ 15:00, vote: Wednesday @ 12:30
Contact: Gareth Goldsmith, gareth.goldsmith@ep.europa.eu, +32 476 668 050

FUTURE OF EUROPE DEBATE WITH ESTONIAN PM

Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas will continue the series of EU leader debates on the Future of Europe. ECR Group MEPs will continue their calls for a reformed EU that does less but does it better, while also supporting the Estonians’ efforts to share their expertise on cybercrime and best practices regarding electronic voting with other Member States, and also call for enhanced EU cooperation with third countries to help solve the migration crisis.

Debate: Wednesday @ 10:00
Contact: Jan Krelina, jan.krelina@ep.europa.eu, +32 493 214 346

ENDING THE TAMPON TAX

On Wednesday MEPs are expected to back new EU VAT rules which will allow Member States to exempt certain essential items such as sanitary products from being taxed. Under the current rules, Member States are obliged to impose a minimum 5% value added tax on these items which has generated negative reactions in a number of member states. Therefore the ECR Group welcomes the introduction of further flexibility within the directive to grant exemptions for these products.

Vote: Wednesday @ @ 12:30
Contact: Cameron Smith, cameron.j.smith@ep.europa.eu, +44 7769 833 605

THE FUTURE OF DLTS AND BLOCKCHAIN

A resolution exploring the policy issues around Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) will be voted by MEPs on Tuesday. DLTs are a fast-evolving approach to recording and sharing data across networks and governments and innovators are exploring opportunities as to how to make use of the technology. ECR Group shadow Ashley Fox welcomes the discussions around standardisation and cautions against regulatory action particularly given the early-stage nature of this evolving technology.

Debate: Monday @ 17:00, Vote: Tuesday @ 12:00
Contact: Gareth Goldsmith, gareth.goldsmith@ep.europa.eu, +32 476 668 050