Brussels, 22/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Economic and Social Committee (ESC) is organising for March, in Brussels, two public hearings on topical issues for consumers and citizens.
The first, to be held on Wednesday 7 March, the day before the Environment Council, will be on "The 6th EU Environment Action Programme". Speakers include representatives of the European employers (UNICE/UEAPME), the Spanish trade union Comisiones Obreras, the Free University of Berlin, the European Environmental Bureau and the Regional Environment Centre in Hungary. The aim of the event is to make specific recommendations on how to make amendments to the programme proposed by the European Commission on 24 January (see EUROPE of 25 January, p.8).
The second hearing, to be held on Friday 9 March, will be on "topical aspects of BSE". Commissioner David Byrne will attend the hearing, which will be an opportunity for the actors concerned (consumers, farmers, industry, NGOs, etc.) to exchange their points of view with the representatives of the European institutions.
For further information: Silvia Calamandrei. ESC in Brussels. Tel.: 02/546 96 57. E-mail: silvia.calamandrei@esc.eu.int