The Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union received overall praise from MEPs in a debate with Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme in Strasbourg today.

Speaking in the debate, Jean-Luc Dehaene MEP said that the way Belgium interpreted the Council Presidency over the past six months will be defining for future Presidencies.

The Commission’s main action plan in the field of sport a year after the introduction of sports as an EU competence has been disclosed today.

Sports and the sports betting sector have strong links and mutually beneficial interests. As highlighted by the Communication this is especially true in the fight to preserve the integrity of sport and in the diversification of sports funding.

The Communication clarifies that the possible threats compromising sports integrity are multiple and can be related to illegal betting but also sporting objectives.

A method of attributing a financial value to water is needed to allow individuals, investors, banks and governments to appraise and understand their water resource, according to RICS’ information paper which is launched today.

Brussels 17 January 2011:  The EACA Care Awards 2011 are now open for entries until the 1st April 2011. These Awards for European Social Marketing Campaigns recognise excellence in promoting care for people, resources and the environment. They are part of the EACA’s overall commitment to promote Corporate Social Responsibility and are linked to the ACT Responsible online gallery and the ACT Responsible World Tour.

Brussels, 12 January 2011 - The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) is pleased that the European Union is pursuing a vigilant and cautious approach to indirect land-use change (ILUC) as it relates to biofuels and bioliquids. The report issued by the European Commission on December 22 is an example of continued commitment to improving the science behind ILUC.