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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 12488

16 May 2020
Contents Publication in full By article 22 / 34
SECTORAL POLICIES / Plants
Plants and animals obtained by essentially biological processes are not patentable, according to EPO
Brussels, 15/05/2020 (Agence Europe)

Patents on conventionally bred plants and animals can be completely banned in Europe. This is the result of an opinion published on 14 May by the Enlarged Board of Appeal, the highest legal body of the European Patent Office (EPO).

The chamber concluded that plants and animals obtained by essentially biological processes are not patentable, with the exception of patent applications filed before July 2017. “This verdict is in line with the interpretation of European patent law as decided...

Contents

EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19
BUDGET/ECONOMICS: Eurogroup finalises two of three safety nets in response to Covid-19 crisis
ECONOMY: Valdis Dombrovskis stresses importance of striking right balance between need to support economy and climate ambitions
INDUSTRY: EU ministers for a balance between strategic autonomy and openness to international trade
STATE AID: Commission publishes list of national support granted to undertakings due to Covid-19
SOCIAL: Member States give their green light for SURE instrument
HEALTH: Commission suspends delivery of FFP2 masks to Member States after notification of masks not complying with European standards
CIVIL PROTECTION: São Tomé and Príncipe second beneficiary of EU humanitarian airlift of medical aid in response to Covid-19
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
BUDGET/ECONOMICS: European Parliament advocates a €2 trillion recovery plan backed by a “revised upwards” MFF 2021-2027
BUDGET: European Parliament postpones discharge of 2018 expenditure of EU Council and European Economic and Social Committee
TRANSPORT: proposals on port infrastructure charges and validity of certificates will enter into force in coming weeks
EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED KINGDOM: despite difficult talks, London and EU can still avoid failure, says Mr Barnier
MIDDLE EAST: EU intends to step up efforts to prevent annexation of part of West Bank
TURKEY: EU once again condemns actions against Cyprus and Greece
TRADE: anti-dumping investigation on hot-rolled flat products of iron and steel originating in Turkey
MYANMAR: European countries at UN call for a ceasefire
TRADE: calls are growing for European companies to protect textile workers
SECURITY - DEFENCE
NATO: according to Sir Stuart Peach, Allies have reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to Alliance
SECTORAL POLICIES
EQUALITY: Director of EU Fundamental Rights Agency deplores “discouraging results” in equality for LGBTI people
CLIMATE: warming by 3°C would expose 300 million Europeans to deadly heat waves every year, according to Commission
CLIMATE: CAN Europe calls on EU to align an ambitious long-term climate strategy with a robust 2021-2027 budget
CIRCULAR ECONOMY: successful implementation of single-use plastics directive under threat, warn NGOs
PLANTS: plants and animals obtained by essentially biological processes are not patentable, according to EPO
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
TAXATION: Member States express expectations for further revision of Administrative Cooperation Directive
ECONOMY: GDP in first quarter of 2020 falls by 3.8% in euro area and 3.3% in EU
NEWS BRIEFS
STATE AID: green light for €9 million Italian State Aid to shift freight transport from road to rail in Genoa
CITIZENSHIP: Commission registers two new European Citizens' Initiatives
COUNCIL OF EUROPE: Greece takes over chairmanship of Committee of Ministers
HUNGARY: exceptional measures related to Covid-19 could be lifted as early as the end of May says Viktor Orbán
CSDP: EU Council extends mandates of four heads of civilian missions
SOCIAL: Caritas Europa urgently calls for a European Child Guarantee
SOCIAL: European Commission wants to improve its support tool about coordination of social security systems
VENEZUELA: EU-Spain donors’ conference on 26 May
CALENDAR
Main activities of European Institutions: from 18/05 to 24/05/2020
CALENDAR EXTRA
Other Events: until 24 May 2020