Brussels, 14/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 14 January, the European Parliament adopted at first reading the codecision report by Carlos Coelho of Portugal (EPP-ED) on the collection of biometric elements in passports and other travel documents. The report is the result of a compromise reached at the end of 2008 between the Council and the Parliament. Approving it by 594 votes to 51 and 37 abstentions, the Parliament took a stance against fingerprinting of children under the age of 12 for biometric passports to be issued in the European Union as of 29 June 2009. Only member states that already take the fingerprints of children below the age of 12 may continue to do so for another 4 years. Furthermore, children will no longer appear on their parents' passports but will have their own passport (EUROPE 9817). Although some countries - for example Germany and France - have already begun to use these new passports, the other member states have until 2012 to apply the new regulations. The United Kingdom will not be applying the regulations. (B.C./transl.jl)