13-17 January European Parliament plenary session

Date: 23/01/1997

CROSS-BORDER payments in the Union will become faster, cheaper and safer under new rules agreed by MEPs. The new EU legislation covers payments of up to 50,000 ecu and is designed to give greater protection to individuals and small businesses transferring funds from one member state to another. It obliges banks to complete transfers within five working days, prevents them from charging both senders and recipients for the service and stipulates that they should refund up to 12,500 ecu if a transfer fails to reach its destination.

DIRECT marketing industries now have clear operating rules after the Parliament approved new EU legislation on distance selling. These will ensure that telesales staff identify themselves and seek permission from potential customers before launching into their sales pitch. Consumers will also have seven working days to change their minds about purchases not made face-to-face and suppliers will have to refund dissatisfied clients within 30 days.

MEPs approved a compromise deal worked out with EU governments on novel foods and new food ingredients. Under the new legislation, all food labels must inform consumers of the characteristics which mean that a novel food no longer corresponds to a traditional product. The label must also state whether genetically-modified organisms are present in the product.

EURO MPs were not short of advice for the incoming Dutch EU presidency. Dutch EPP member and former minister Hanja Maij-Weggen stressed the need for a clear definition of citizenship in the revised Maastricht Treaty and insisted that the Parliament should be given all the powers normally associated with an elected assembly. Her compatriot, Socialist member Hedy d'Ancona, highlighted job creation and protection of the environment as major priorities, while the Dutch leader of the Liberal Group Gijs de Vries singled out a stable single currency and successful preparation of enlargement as the two major challenges for the months ahead.