Photo : EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP
01 February 2024, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #745
In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
FRANCE
Farmer protests expand to Rungis market resulting in arrest
On 31 January, following Gabriel Attal, France’s Prime Minister repeated assurance to grant subsidy and tax cuts the farmer protests continued in Paris. Despite government warning to the protestors to not block major sites such as Rungis supermarket, farmers gathered outside resulting arrest of 91. The aim of the farmers was to stop the food deliveries to the supermarket against demand for better pay and lesser environmental regulation. According to one of the police chiefs, Laurent Nunez: “Cannot tolerate disturbances to public order.” (“French farmer protests: Dozens arrested at Rungis food market in Paris,” BBC, 31 January 2024)
Nestlé under investigation over water treatment practises
On 31 January, French authorities reported on opening an investigation against the Swiss food company Nestlé under suspicion of fraudulent practises of treating water. According to the report, the investigation comes after a government probe reported in Le Monde said: “…one in three mineral water brands in France undergoes purification treatment supposed to be used only on tap water.” Following a complaint from France's ARS health regulator, the investigation was launched to find out if the natural mineral water label was misleading or not. According to Nestlé Waters, it had passed some waters such as Perrier and Vittel for food safety purpose but had “lost track” on complying with the regulations. As per the French law under the EU directive, it bans “disinfection of water” for which has to be naturally high quality. (“French prosecutors to investigate Nestlé over mineral water treatments,” Le Monde, 31 January 2024)
GERMANY
Destatis reports on increase in consumer prices
On 31 January, Germany’s federal statistics agency Destatis released a report on the state of inflation in Germany for January 2024. According to the report, the consumer prices had increased by 2.9 per cent which was lesser from 3.7 per cent in December. It is considered the lowest since June 2021, whereas the energy cost was 2.8 per cent less in January compared to 2023. Overall, the inflation across Europe has restarted towards a downward trend which might not be sufficient for the European Central Bank (ECB) to lower borrowing cost in short period. Timo Wollmershäuser, ifo economic research director said: “Inflation is therefore likely to fall only slowly in the coming months.” (“German inflation drops to slowest pace since mid-2021,” Deutsche Welle, 31 January 2024)
Strike across 11 major airports demanding increase in hourly wages
On 01 February, Germany’s airport association ADV reported on cancellation and delay of 1000 flights affecting more than 200,000 passengers due to one-day strike across 11 airports. The strike began on 31 January at the Bonn airport with a passenger control staff not reporting for the night shift. Following this security staff stopped working at the Frankfurt, Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Leipzig, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hanover, Stuttgart, Erfurt and Dresden airports after the trade union called “industrial action.” According to the report, the strike is expected cause major disruptions and flight cancellation with the main security checkpoints to remain closed. The trade union Verdi called for strike over failed negotiations with the Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS). They have demanded for increase in hourly wages of EUR 2.80, whereas the BDLS proposed for a four per cent rise which was not close to the demanded rate. (“Germany: Local public transit workers to strike on Friday,” Deutsche Welle, 29 January 2024)
SWEDEN
Dangerous object found and destroyed outside embassy in Israel
On 31 January, Swedish police officers reported on finding a “dangerous object” outside Israel embassy in Stockholm. According to the report, the object was considered as an “attempted attack” and was destroyed. The details of the object remains undisclosed but once found was alerted and assessed by the national bomb squad who decided to destroy. Ulf Kristersson, Sweden’s Prime Minister called the situation as “very serious” and confirmed on the investigation by Sweden’s Security Service. Following the incident, surveillance was furthered in the embassy. According to the reports from Swedish tabloids Expressen and Aftonbladet, the object was found to be hand grenade and Sweden’s deputy prime minister said: “Violent extremism must be stopped.” (James FitzGerald, “Swedish police destroy object outside Israeli embassy in Stockholm,” BBC, 31 January 2024)
THE UK
Welsh government proposes new law to conserve wildlife
On 31 January, the BBC reported on the Welsh government proposal for a new law to control the loss of wildlife and conserve nature. This includes forming of an independent watchdog to monitor organisations and hold them accountable for environmental issues such as sewage spills and air pollution. On enforcement, the public bodies in Wales will be subject to disclose nature recovery action plan. Opposition parties have voiced out stating the plan was long overdue and urged for a “crack on.” This comes after recent continued criticism against the Welsh government over the gap in environmental protection post-Brexit. Earlier, people had the option to raise concerns on the government or public bodies if found to not abide the green laws to the European Commission but it has turned around after the UK’s exit from the EU. The latest proposal would serve as new environmental principle and is expected to have eight commissioners and 12 additional staff to support the governance body. (Steffan Messenger, “Nature laws to protect wildlife in Wales,” BBC, 31 January 2024)