Agenda Raad Volksgezondheid en Werkgelegenheid (en)
The Council meeting will take place on 30 November and 1 December in Brussels. The Health and Consumer Protection points will be taken on 30 November. This meeting will be chaired by Ms Liisa Hyssälä Minister of Health and Social Services from Finland and the Commission will be represented by Commissioner Kyprianou. The Employment and Social Affairs points will be taken on 1 December. This part of the Council meeting will be chaired by Ms Tarja Filatov, Minister of Labour from Finland and the Commission will be represented by Commissioner Špidla.
Health and Consumer Protection issues – 30 November
Health Programme.
The Council is expected to reach a political agreement on the Commission’s proposal for a Health Programme. The only outstanding issue with the European Parliament concerns the budget, with the European Parliament’s rapporteur calling for an increase of 10%.
Health in all policies.
The second agenda point concerns Health in all Policies, on which the Council will adopt conclusions. The Council conclusions on health in all policies are linked to the high-level conference on HIAP, which was organised under the auspices of the Finnish Presidency in September 2006 in Kuopio, Finland, with financial support from the Community Public Health Programme.
Alcohol Strategy.
The central point of the morning is the policy debate on the Alcohol Strategy. A note by the Presidency will steer the discussion. On October 24 2006 the Commission adopted a Communication on alcohol and health, setting out an EU strategy to support Member States in reducing alcohol related harm. The Communication addresses the adverse effects of harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption in Europe, identifies areas where the EU can support and coordinate actions to reduce alcohol related harm and maps out actions which Member States are taking, with a view to promoting good practice.
International Health Regulations.
During lunch ministers will discuss the Commission’s Communication on the International Health Regulations following a presentation of the Communication by Commissioner Kyprianou. The Revised International Health Regulations (2005) - “the IHR” - are the most important legal framework to prevent, protect against and control the international spread of a disease, while avoiding unnecessary interference with traffic and trade.
The IHR were adopted by a World Health Assembly Resolution in May 2005, and they enter into force on 15 June 2007. The Commission issued its Communication on the International Health Regulations which seeks to clarify the role of the EU in their implementation.
High level reflection process on health services and medical care.
This is the third report of the High Level Group on Health Services and Medical care. The report summarises the main issues addressed by the HLG (cross-border healthcare, purchasing and provision; health professionals; centres of reference; health impact assessment and health systems; patient safety), progress made in 2006 and orientations for future work. This item is on the agenda for 'exchange of views'.
Advanced Therapies.
In November 2005 the Commission has proposed new EU wide rules to facilitate gene, cell and tissue-based therapies. These so-called advanced therapies enable revolutionary treatment of a number of diseases or injuries, such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, skin in burn victims or serious cartilage damage. The proposal covers all advanced therapies within a single, integrated and tailored European regulatory framework. The current lack of an EU-wide framework leads to divergent national approaches as to the legal classification and authorisation of advanced therapy products, which ultimately negatively affects the EU’s innovative capacity and competitiveness in this key area of biotechnology. To address these problems, the Commission proposes a centralised marketing authorisation procedure, a new expert Committee, strengthened requirements for risk management and traceability and top-quality scientific advice. Ethical decisions about the use or non-use of germ cells or embryonic stem cells remain under the full responsibility of individual Member States. Ministers will continue discussions on the proposal.
Pharmaceutical Forum.
Commissioner Kyprianou will present a joint information note (prepared with Vice President Verheugen) and report from the Forum meeting on 29 September.
Other business items concerning health include information from the Commission on pandemic influenza preparedness, an update on the implementation of the HIV/AIDS action plan, information on the results of the consultation on the Green Paper on Mental Health and the mandate of the Health Security Committee.
Employment, social affairs and equal opportunities – 1st December 2006
The main items on the Employment and Social Affairs agenda are:
Green Paper on Labour Law - presentation/discussion
The Commission will present its newly-adopted Green Paper "Modernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st century".
The Paper which asks Member States, social partners and other stakeholders how labour law at EU and national level can help the job market become more flexible while maximising security for workers (the 'flexicurity' approach). The public consultation will run until 31 March 2007 and its contributions will feed into the upcoming Commission communication on flexicurity in June 2007. The presentation to ministers will be followed by a preliminary exchange of views. Ministers are expected to express their opinion on the priorities to modernise labour law as set out in the Green Paper.
Demographic challenges - presentation
Discussions will also cover the challenges of globalisation and current demographic trends where the Commission will present its recent Communication "The demographic future of Europe – from challenge to opportunity", which was adopted last October.The Communication sets out five areas for concrete action to help Member States adapt to demographic change in their own national context. Ministers will be called upon to endorse an Opinion of the Social Protection Committee on the Communication as well as an opinion of the Employment Committee on increasing productivity and creating more and better jobs, including for those on the margins of the labour market.
Portability of supplementary pension rights - discussion
Ministers will discuss the Commission's proposal for a directive to improve the portability of supplementary pension rights. The proposal aims to enable workers to move freely around EU and national labour markets without losing important work pension benefits.
Decent work and gender equality - adoption
Finally, the Council is expected to adopt conclusions on decent work, including the Commission's proposals to strengthen EU policies, actions and programmes so as to promote decent work both within the Union and worldwide. The Council is also expected adopt conclusions on gender equality following a conference on this issue organised by the Finnish Presidency on 5-6/10/06.
European Globalisation Fund
A trialogue meeting consisting of Commission, European Parliament and European Council representatives will be held on 1 December.