Latest news with #EU
Daily Mirror
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Travellers with Blue Badge may be able to use it abroad on holiday this summer
A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or a passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and may also be exempt from other parking restrictions If you're living with a physical disability, health condition that affects your ability to walk safely, or a hidden illness such as dementia, autism or Parkinson's, you might be eligible for a Blue Badge. This badge allows you to park closer to your destination, whether you're the driver or a passenger. It also grants free parking in disabled bays and may exempt you from other parking restrictions. However, many of the 2.6 million Blue Badge holders - including 235,700 in Scotland - might not know that numerous countries worldwide have reciprocal parking arrangements with the UK. These arrangements allow disabled individuals to travel between countries without needing to fill out extensive paperwork for their parking card or permit to be recognised. These concessions typically include access to parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities, extended parking durations, or exemptions from parking fees. According to guidance on you can use your UK Blue Badge when travelling in some EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, reports the Daily Record. This guidance also provides a list of countries with links to pages that contain: information about parking for disabled people in the country disabled parking notices that you can print off and display with your Blue Badge You do not have to display a local parking notice in another country, but it may help. You should note that: local parking rules may apply in different parts of a country some countries may have changed their rules since the pages we link to were published UK Blue Badges abroad A full list of countries can be found on here, you can use the Blue Badge in: Austria Belgium Croatia Cypress Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France - May not recognise non-EU issued parking cards Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy - Non-EU parking cards accepted in some regions only Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania - Accepts non-EU parking cards Slovakia Slovenia Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) - UK Blue Badge recognition across Spain decided by local administrations Sweden Switzerland How to get a Blue Badge Applications for a Blue Badge can be submitted online at though the guidance states that individuals with mental health conditions must contact their local council directly. It explains: "If you have a mental condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic, you cannot apply online. You should phone your local council's Blue Badge team for a paper application form." The guidance further states that those who don't automatically meet the criteria for the Blue Badge scheme may require a mobility assessment and consultation with a healthcare professional. It's also important to note that there isn't a fixed processing timeframe for new applications or Blue Badge renewals, though it typically takes approximately 12 weeks. Your local council handles Blue Badge applications and determines the cost - they can also provide advice on expected processing times. Other people who may qualify for a Blue Badge If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge in certain circumstances, if you:. Have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all. Have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you're virtually unable to walk If you regularly drive and cannot use parking meters due to a severe disability in both arms, or if you're responsible for a child under 3-years-old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment, or uses bulky medical equipment that can't be carried around, or if you have a mental health condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys, then you may qualify for a Blue Badge. Where can I park with my Blue Badge? Your Blue Badge allows you to park for free in certain restricted areas, including at on-street parking meters, in pay and display bays, in disabled parking spaces, and on single and double yellow lines if there are no loading restrictions. What do I need to apply? Applications are made online to your local council and you'll need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders - you can take this picture yourself. You will also need a photo or scan of your proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence) and proof of address such as a Council Tax bill or government letter - you can also choose to have your local council check the Electoral Register instead. If you receive any benefits, you'll need to provide proof. Additionally, you will need your National Insurance number and the details of your current Blue Badge if you're reapplying. Once you've applied, your local council will process your application and inform you of their decision. If your application is unsuccessful, your local council should explain why you didn't qualify. You can request them to reconsider their decision if you believe they overlooked some crucial information. Should your disability or health condition worsen, you can reapply.
Irish Examiner
4 minutes ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
What the proposed CAP changes mean for Irish farmers
The proposed EU budget post-2027 has caused waves in the agricultural sphere, with calls to action and pushback coming from all angles. The main worry is the proposed absorption of the CAP under the National and Regional Partnerships Plans (NRPP). The European Commission advertises this move to be more efficient and have a stronger, impactful use of EU funding with agricultural policy 'at its core'. Concerns have been raised revolving around whether money normally allocated to the CAP will be redirected and funnelled into other sections of the NRPP. Initially proposed for the NRPP is €865bn within the 2028-2034 EU budget. Billy Kelleher, MEP for Ireland South, said: 'The 21% cut in CAP funding will cause havoc among farm families in Ireland and across the [European] Union.' Another concern within the proposal is that the income support of €300bn ringfenced for EU farmers post 2027. This is a drop from the €387bn previously set aside for farmers within the current budget. This would mean the nearly 120,000 farmers who avail of EU-funded supports such as Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) or Complimentary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) could experience drops in the amount they receive. Billy Kelleher, MEP for Ireland South, said: The 21% cut in CAP funding will cause havoc among farm families in Ireland and across the [European] Union… "Perhaps it's a negotiating tactic to force member states to increase their national contributions or to agree on new own resources. Either way, it will make farmers deeply worried about their future viability,' said . According to the 2024 National Farm Survey conducted by Teagasc, direct payments amounted to 60% contribution to a family farm income in 2024 across the sectors examined (dairy, cattle rearing, cattle other, sheep, and tillage). This cut will have significant effects on farming families' incomes and livelihoods if a ringfence of €300bn is agreed. A 'Unity Safety Net' of €900m per year of the budget — a total of €6.3bn — is proposed for emergencies within the sector. This is meant to help ensure stable markets and to assist in times of crisis such as extreme weather events, geopolitical situations or persistent structural challenges for EU-based farmers. With the proposals of a single 'rule book', streamlined payments and a young and new farmers' 'starter pack' for targeted supports could benefit small enterprise farmers and young farmers entering or inheriting within the industry, reducing administrative burdens and offering lump sums. Overview is vague on eco schemes Notably vague within the proposal overview made public by the EU Commission was any mention of farming sustainability and eco schemes. Mentions of sustainability schemes and practices were made with no clear outline or budget proposed. In contrast, a leaked document that was circulated before the initial official proposal made several mentions of eco and sustainability schemes with recommendations to enhance these and similar areas for farmers to receive support based on uptake of beneficial practices. Areas outlined in this leaked document suggested support be provided for farmers or individuals who commit to climate change adaptations, climate change mitigations, soil health, preservation of biodiversity, and development of organic farming. Ireland's presidency of the EU Council With the uproar surrounding the proposed EU budget post-2027, the Irish presidency of the EU Council, occurring in the second semester of 2026, will take place throughout a period of finalisation of the 2028-2034 EU budget. Ultimately, this will have farmers and their organisations alike watching the Department of Agriculture closely. The Irish presidency of the EU Council will mean Irish ministers chairing council meetings, and our very own agriculture minister will chair talks that will focus on the finalisation of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in the context of agriculture. 'We'll negotiate through this proposal line by line and we'll have a very significant role to play during our EU Presidency in the second half of next year,' said agricultural minister, Martin Heydon, in a recent press release regarding the formation of a CAP consultation committee. The last Irish presidency occurred in 2013, which oversaw the agreement of the MFF of the time. Agreements were also reached on the seventh Environmental Action Programme and the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. Mr Heydon opened the first meeting of the CAP Consultation Committee, made up of key stakeholders, on July 17, to discuss the prospective CAP and EU Budget post-2027. CAP consultation committee The committee contains representatives from: Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (including NPWS), the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht; The Agricultural Consultants Association, An Taisce, Bord Bia, the County and City Management Association, the Environmental Pillar, the EPA, Ibec; Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA), Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Irish Grain Growers Association, Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association, Irish Organic Association; Irish Rural Link (also representing National Rural Network), Local Development Company Network, Macra na Feirme, National Biodiversity Data Centre, National CAP Network, academic members (UCD and UCC), Teagasc, and Women in Agriculture Stakeholder Group. Mr Heydon said: 'The committee will play a crucial role in ensuring that the CAP reform process is transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of various stakeholders within the agricultural and rural community.' He concluded: 'The Commission proposals for new CAP structures in a new MFF architecture will require careful analysis. This seems like a very big change, but in fact this announcement marks the starting point in a long negotiating process. "I will continue to work very closely with Commissioner Hansen, the European Parliament, and my EU counterparts to ensure that the end result delivers the best possible outcome for Irish farmers and the rural communities in which they live.' Following the committee's meeting, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine informed the Irish Examiner that: 'Committee members were briefed on the European Commission announcements, bearing in mind that the detailed CAP legislative proposals have not yet been published. Committee members gave their initial reactions to the announcements and outlined their priorities for the CAP negotiations. Opening the meeting, Mr Heydon emphasised that the commission proposals are only the first step in a lengthy negotiation process. He emphasised that stakeholders on the committee will be essential partners in the process of working to secure a robust CAP that delivers for Ireland and for all member states.'
Winnipeg Free Press
5 minutes ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
EU and Japan agree to work together to promote free trade and economic security
TOKYO (AP) — Leaders of the European Union and Japan launched an alliance Wednesday aimed at boosting economic cooperation, defending free trade and countering unfair trade practices as the two sides face growing challenges from the United States and China. The agreement followed a meeting among European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. It comes just as Tokyo and Washington reached a new trade deal, which places 15% tariffs on Japanese cars and other goods imported into the U.S., down from an initial 25%. The leaders agreed to launch 'competitiveness alliance' aimed at stepping up trade, economic security and cooperation in innovation, energy and other areas, according to a joint statement released by the EU. The leaders also supported 'a stable and predictable rules-based free and fair economic order,' and reaffirmed the importance of Japan-EU cooperation to uphold multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, as well as with other multilateral cooperation efforts. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. The EU and Japan also agreed to strengthen defense industry cooperation and to start talks on an information security agreement. Japan and the EU have been stepping up their security and defense cooperation amid growing global tensions and conflicts, including Russia's war on Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and increasingly assertive China's military activity in Asia, recognizing that challenges in Europe and Indo-Pacific are inseparable.
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Business Standard
6 minutes ago
- Business
- Business Standard
European Union readies €100 bn no-deal plan to match US 30% tariff
The European Union plans to quickly hit the US with 30 per cent tariffs on some €100 billion ($117 billion) worth of goods in the event of no deal and if US President Donald Trump carries through with his threat to impose that rate on most of the bloc's exports after Aug. 1. As a part of a first wave of countermeasures, the EU would combine an already approved list of tariffs on €21 billion of US goods and a previously proposed list on an additional €72 billion of American products into one package, a European Commission spokesman said on Wednesday. The US exports, which include industrial goods such as Boeing Co. aircraft, US-made cars and bourbon whiskey, would face a levy that matches Trump's 30 per cent threat, according to people familiar with the matter. The threatened retaliation from Brussels would hit about one-third of American exports to the EU, based on the €335 billion worth of US goods shipped to the bloc last year. The tariffs would be prepared to come into force next month but only if there is no deal and the US implements its levies after the August deadline, said the people who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The euro extended a fall after the report, down 0.3 per cent at $1.1723, leading losses among major currencies. German bonds trimmed an earlier decline. The plans come as EU member states, including Germany, have hardened their positions in response to the US stiffening its negotiating stance. Berlin would be willing to even support the activation of the EU's anti-coercion instrument, or ACI, in a no-deal scenario, a government official said on condition of anonymity. This tool would come into play only if a deal fails to materialise. Trump announced two tariff deals on Tuesday — one with the Philippines and another with Japan, and both featured across-the-board duties on their imports that were lower than initially threatened. Also noteworthy was the 15 per cent US levy on Japanese autos that was lower than the current 25 per cent rate on major car exporters including the EU. European leaders are in Tokyo and Beijing this week for talks with some of the the bloc's biggest trading partners in Asia. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking with Bloomberg Television on Wednesday, said the EU hasn't yet brought anything as innovative as the Japanese offer. 'Talks are going better than they had been,' he said in the interview. 'I think that we are making good progress with the EU, but as I've said before, the EU has a collective action problem with 27 countries.' The EU's most potent trade tool is the ACI, and a growing number of member states is pushing for its use if a deal isn't reached. The instrument is primarily designed as a deterrent and is currently not on the table, with its activation requiring a qualified majority of member states to support the move. The ACI would enable the EU to launch a broad range of retaliatory actions, including new taxes on US tech giants, targeted curbs on US investments, and limiting access to the EU market. 'We are now approaching the decisive phase in the tariff dispute with the USA — we need a fair, reliable agreement with low tariffs,' German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters in Berlin on Tuesday after a meeting with his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala. 'Without such an agreement, we risk economic uncertainty at a time when we actually need exactly the opposite.' The Commission, the EU's executive arm, is discussing the instrument with member states, the people said. While some capitals having been pushing to use the tool, most want to wait to see how the situation develops beyond Aug. 1 before progressing discussions further to try to achieve the required majority, they added. The overwhelming preference is to keep negotiations with Washington on track in a bid for an outcome to the impasse ahead of next month's deadline. EU and US negotiators are scheduled to continue talks on Wednesday. The US is now seen to want a near-universal tariff on EU goods higher than 10 per cent, with increasingly fewer exemptions limited to aviation, some medical devices and generic medicines, several spirits, and a specific set of manufacturing equipment that the US needs, Bloomberg previously reported. The two sides have also discussed a potential ceiling for some sectors, as well as quotas for steel and aluminum and a way to ring-fence supply chains from sources that oversupply the metals. Any agreement would need Trump's sign off – and his position isn't clear. The US president wrote to the EU earlier in the month, warning of a 30 per cent tariff on most of its exports from Aug. 1. Alongside a universal levy, Trump has hit cars and auto parts with a 25 per cent customs tax, and steel and aluminum with double that. He's also threatened to target pharmaceuticals and semiconductors with new duties as early as next month, and recently announced a 50 per cent duty on copper. Hoped-for extension Before Trump's letter, the EU had been hopeful it was edging toward an initial framework that would allow detailed discussions to continue on the basis of a universal rate of 10 per cent on many of the bloc's exports. While most capitals and officials accept that any agreement would be asymmetrical in favor of the US and see the EU facing higher than 10 per cent rates, the bloc has been seeking wider exemptions than the US is offering, as well as looking to shield the bloc from future sectoral tariffs. The EU's €100 billion list would cover its response to Trump's universal duties as well as his tariffs on metals and cars. The level of pain that member states are prepared to accept varies, and some are open to landing on a higher 15 per cent levy if enough exemptions are secured and the scope of the duty was clear, the people said. In addition to the tariffs on goods, the bloc's executive arm is also working on measures that could see export controls as well as restrictions on some services and public procurement contracts introduced in future, they said.
6 minutes ago
- Business
EU and Japan agree to work together to promote free trade and economic security
TOKYO -- Leaders of the European Union and Japan launched an alliance Wednesday aimed at boosting economic cooperation, defending free trade and countering unfair trade practices as the two sides face growing challenges from the United States and China. The agreement followed a meeting among European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. It comes just as Tokyo and Washington reached a new trade deal, which places 15% tariffs on Japanese cars and other goods imported into the U.S., down from an initial 25%. The leaders agreed to launch 'competitiveness alliance" aimed at stepping up trade, economic security and cooperation in innovation, energy and other areas, according to a joint statement released by the EU. The leaders also supported 'a stable and predictable rules-based free and fair economic order,' and reaffirmed the importance of Japan-EU cooperation to uphold multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, as well as with other multilateral cooperation efforts. The EU and Japan also agreed to strengthen defense industry cooperation and to start talks on an information security agreement. Japan and the EU have been stepping up their security and defense cooperation amid growing global tensions and conflicts, including Russia's war on Ukraine, conflicts in the Middle East and increasingly assertive China's military activity in Asia, recognizing that challenges in Europe and Indo-Pacific are inseparable.
