Latest news with #UFC-QueChoisir
Local France
22-05-2025
- Business
- Local France
French lawmakers move to stop annoying telemarketer calls
Under the legislation, passed in a senate vote, it will be up to a company to prove that a call made on their behalf to an individual's telephone was done so with the person's express consent. The only exception would be when the company is calling to carry out an already-agreed contract. According to an October 2024 survey by French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir, 97 percent of people in France have expressed irritation at the cold calls. READ MORE: France leads Europe with highest volume of spam phone calls Often the telemarketers use different phone numbers from different geographic areas as a tactic to place the calls about heat pumps, changing utility or cell phone providers, installing windows, or other transactions. The lawmakers, backed by the government, decided to erect a law against the cold-callers after seeing that a French service, Bloctel, meant to prevent such spam calls, was not working. READ MORE: REVEALED: The most common French telemarketing phone numbers One Frenchwoman, Lucie Kapfer, 43, said she got rid of her landline after receiving "several calls each week" from unwanted telemarketers. "But they continued on my mobile phone. Several calls a day -- it was sheer hell," she said. Advertisement The French government was also concerned by how many of the calls were about arranging fraudulent access to publicly funded schemes, such as training programmes or subsidies for making homes more energy efficient. The law will protect "the more vulnerable people, the elderly, those who sometimes don't realise that this harassment by telephone is only an entry point to massive fraud schemes", said the minister for public accounts, Amelie de Montchalin. The law is scheduled to come into effect in August 2026. Companies "will have a year to organise themselves" to comply with the law, but after that "there will be no exceptions," said the senator Pierre-Jean Verzelen, who promoted the measure. Spain, too, is looking at taking action against telemarketers. Its government last week said it wants telecom operators to block calls from firms not using a dedicated prefix identifying them as commercial callers.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
French lawmakers move to stop annoying telemarketer calls
Representative AI image The French parliament moved Wednesday to stop telemarketers making annoying, unsolicited phone calls, with measures due to come into force in just over a year. Under the legislation, passed in a senate vote, it will be up to a company to prove that a call made on their behalf to an individual's telephone was done so with the person's express consent. The only exception would be when the company is calling to carry out an already-agreed contract. According to an October 2024 survey by French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir, 97 percent of people in France have expressed irritation at the cold calls. Often the telemarketers use different phone numbers from different geographic areas as a tactic to place the calls about heat pumps, changing utility or cell phone providers, installing windows, or other transactions. The lawmakers, backed by the government, decided to erect a law against the cold-callers after seeing that a French service, Bloctel, meant to prevent such spam calls, was not working. One Frenchwoman, Lucie Kapfer, 43, said she got rid of her landline after receiving "several calls each week" from unwanted telemarketers. "But they continued on my mobile phone. Several calls a day, it was sheer hell," she said. The French government was also concerned by how many of the calls were about arranging fraudulent access to publicly funded schemes, such as training programmes or subsidies for making homes more energy efficient. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like China Power: Washington's loss, Beijing's gain as Chinese students shun the US for SE Asia? CNA Read More Undo The law will protect "the more vulnerable people, the elderly, those who sometimes don't realise that this harassment by telephone is only an entry point to massive fraud schemes", said the minister for public accounts, Amelie de Montchalin. The law is scheduled to come into effect in August 2026. Companies "will have a year to organise themselves" to comply with the law, but after that "there will be no exceptions," said the senator Pierre-Jean Verzelen, who promoted the measure. Spain, too, is looking at taking action against telemarketers. Its government last week said it wants telecom operators to block calls from firms not using a dedicated prefix identifying them as commercial callers.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
French group issues Valentine's Day warning that cut flowers have a variety of pesticides
Those Valentine flowers might come with a bit more than vivid colors and a nice scent. France's oldest consumer group is reminding people that any imported cut flower likely also contains pesticides -- even those banned in Europe. The flower industry points to studies saying that cut flowers pose no health risk to consumers, though some advocates say there hasn't been enough study on whether the contamination could endanger florists who touch them daily. Paris-based UFC-Que Choisir chose Valentine's Day to release results of what it said were tests of roses, gerberas and chrysanthemums sold at florists, shops, supermarkets and online. It said it found potentially harmful residues of pesticides in every bouquet. In the Netherlands — which produces roughly 60% of the global trade — a similar study came to similar conclusions. Unlike for produce that is consumed, regulations in Europe on cut flowers place no limits on the level of pesticides, UFC-Que Choisir notes. The group is calling on authorities to introduce maximum levels of pesticide residues, a ban on imports of flowers treated with pesticides that are banned in Europe, and mandatory labelling of the origin and treatment of flowers. The group bought 15 bouquets of flowers. In each one, between seven and up to 46 different pesticide residues were identified, of which an average of almost 12 were deemed hazardous because they are possibly carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting, the group said. Residues of pesticides banned in the EU were found in two-thirds of the bouquets. Valhor, the French inter-trade organization for horticulture, floristry and landscaping, however pointed to a study in Germany that concluded there were no risks for consumers who buy cut flowers. 'The entire industry is compliant and transparent,' it said. 'With regard to European and particularly French flower production, the industry complies with a strict and demanding legislative and regulatory framework for the use of plant protection products." Valhor added that it promotes health and safety practices in the flower industry workplace to limit exposure, including the use of gloves. Pierre Lebailly, a pesticide expert at University of Caen, regrets that there have been only a small number of studies on the impact of pesticides on florists' health. Among those, a study in Belgium showed that pesticides could be absorbed through the skin when handling contaminated flowers, with a potential damaging effect on health. Contamination goes beyond France The Dutch branch of the Pesticide Action Network — a network of European NGOs promoting sustainable alternatives to pesticides —- tested 13 bouquets of tulips, roses, and mixed bouquets in a certified laboratory. Residues of pesticides were found in all bouquets. According to PAN, Valentine's roses are typically sourced from Dutch growers with greenhouses or fields in Kenya and Ethiopia. A total of 71 different active substances were found in the bouquets, of which 28 are banned in the EU. The study found that, on average, each bouquet contained 25 toxic substances.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
French group issues Valentine's Day warning that cut flowers have a variety of pesticides
PARIS (AP) — Those Valentine flowers might come with a bit more than vivid colors and a nice scent. France's oldest consumer group is reminding people that any imported cut flower likely also contains pesticides -- even those banned in Europe. The flower industry points to studies saying that cut flowers pose no health risk to consumers, though some advocates say there hasn't been enough study on whether the contamination could endanger florists who touch them daily. Paris-based UFC-Que Choisir chose Valentine's Day to release results of what it said were tests of roses, gerberas and chrysanthemums sold at florists, shops, supermarkets and online. It said it found potentially harmful residues of pesticides in every bouquet. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. In the Netherlands — which produces roughly 60% of the global trade — a similar study came to similar conclusions. Unlike for produce that is consumed, regulations in Europe on cut flowers place no limits on the level of pesticides, UFC-Que Choisir notes. The group is calling on authorities to introduce maximum levels of pesticide residues, a ban on imports of flowers treated with pesticides that are banned in Europe, and mandatory labelling of the origin and treatment of flowers. The group bought 15 bouquets of flowers. In each one, between seven and up to 46 different pesticide residues were identified, of which an average of almost 12 were deemed hazardous because they are possibly carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting, the group said. Residues of pesticides banned in the EU were found in two-thirds of the bouquets. Valhor, the French inter-trade organization for horticulture, floristry and landscaping, however pointed to a study in Germany that concluded there were no risks for consumers who buy cut flowers. 'The entire industry is compliant and transparent,' it said. 'With regard to European and particularly French flower production, the industry complies with a strict and demanding legislative and regulatory framework for the use of plant protection products." Valhor added that it promotes health and safety practices in the flower industry workplace to limit exposure, including the use of gloves. Pierre Lebailly, a pesticide expert at University of Caen, regrets that there have been only a small number of studies on the impact of pesticides on florists' health. Among those, a study in Belgium showed that pesticides could be absorbed through the skin when handling contaminated flowers, with a potential damaging effect on health. Contamination goes beyond France The Dutch branch of the Pesticide Action Network — a network of European NGOs promoting sustainable alternatives to pesticides —- tested 13 bouquets of tulips, roses, and mixed bouquets in a certified laboratory. Residues of pesticides were found in all bouquets. According to PAN, Valentine's roses are typically sourced from Dutch growers with greenhouses or fields in Kenya and Ethiopia. A total of 71 different active substances were found in the bouquets, of which 28 are banned in the EU. The study found that, on average, each bouquet contained 25 toxic substances.
Associated Press
14-02-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
French group issues Valentine's Day warning that cut flowers have a variety of pesticides
PARIS (AP) — Those Valentine flowers might come with a bit more than vivid colors and a nice scent. France's oldest consumer group is reminding people that any imported cut flower likely also contains pesticides -- even those banned in Europe. The flower industry points to studies saying that cut flowers pose no health risk to consumers, though some advocates say there hasn't been enough study on whether the contamination could endanger florists who touch them daily. Paris-based UFC-Que Choisir chose Valentine's Day to release results of what it said were tests of roses, gerberas and chrysanthemums sold at florists, shops, supermarkets and online. It said it found potentially harmful residues of pesticides in every bouquet. In the Netherlands — which produces roughly 60% of the global trade — a similar study came to similar conclusions. Unlike for produce that is consumed, regulations in Europe on cut flowers place no limits on the level of pesticides, UFC-Que Choisir notes. The group is calling on authorities to introduce maximum levels of pesticide residues, a ban on imports of flowers treated with pesticides that are banned in Europe, and mandatory labelling of the origin and treatment of flowers. The group bought 15 bouquets of flowers. In each one, between seven and up to 46 different pesticide residues were identified, of which an average of almost 12 were deemed hazardous because they are possibly carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting, the group said. Residues of pesticides banned in the EU were found in two-thirds of the bouquets. Valhor, the French inter-trade organization for horticulture, floristry and landscaping, however pointed to a study in Germany that concluded there were no risks for consumers who buy cut flowers. 'The entire industry is compliant and transparent,' it said. 'With regard to European and particularly French flower production, the industry complies with a strict and demanding legislative and regulatory framework for the use of plant protection products.' Valhor added that it promotes health and safety practices in the flower industry workplace to limit exposure, including the use of gloves. Pierre Lebailly, a pesticide expert at University of Caen, regrets that there have been only a small number of studies on the impact of pesticides on florists' health. Among those, a study in Belgium showed that pesticides could be absorbed through the skin when handling contaminated flowers, with a potential damaging effect on health. Contamination goes beyond France The Dutch branch of the Pesticide Action Network — a network of European NGOs promoting sustainable alternatives to pesticides —- tested 13 bouquets of tulips, roses, and mixed bouquets in a certified laboratory. Residues of pesticides were found in all bouquets. According to PAN, Valentine's roses are typically sourced from Dutch growers with greenhouses or fields in Kenya and Ethiopia. A total of 71 different active substances were found in the bouquets, of which 28 are banned in the EU. The study found that, on average, each bouquet contained 25 toxic substances.
