During the week of April 7-11, the parliamentary Committees activities will resume in Brussels, including the Committee on Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI), which will address a vast agenda. Topics will range from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to energy labeling, along with a lengthy voting session. Additionally, on Wednesday, the Commission is set to unveil the AI Continent Action Plan.
DIGITAL
Monday 7 April. During the Committee on Internal Market (IMCO) meeting, a public hearing on online child protection will be held. The IMCO Members will also review amendments concerning the proposal on product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and imports from third countries, with rapporteur Salvatore De Meo (EPP) and Brando Benifei (S&D) as rapporteur for the opinion on behalf of the Committee on International Trade (INTA).
Wednesday 9 April. The Commission will publish the AI Continent Action Plan. As outlined in the 2025 Commission Work Programme, the strategy seeks to maximize the potential of artificial intelligence. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, announced on March 25 at the Financial Times’ Enabling Europe’s AI Ambitions conference that the plan will be structured on five pillars: infrastructure, data access, an Apply AI strategy, skills, and simplification.
SUSTAINABILITY
Monday 7 April. The INTA Committee, with rapporteur Karin Karlsbro (Renew) and Antonio De Caro (S&D) on behalf of ENVI Committee, will discuss with Commission representatives the proposed amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/956, focusing on the simplification and strengthening of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 April. The ENVI Committee will convene in Brussels to discuss air quality prospects and hear a presentation from the Commission on the 2025-2030 eco-design of sustainable products and energy labeling work plan.
The following day, a structured dialogue will take place with Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy.
On the voting side, ENVI members will express themselves on:
- The resolution proposal for the market introduction of Acheta domesticus (house cricket) powder as a novel food, modifying Regulation (EU) 2017/2470.
- The resolution proposal for a unified model for national recovery plans.
- On the approval of the draft report with respect to the European strategy for water resilience.
Wednesday 9 April. The Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE) will hear the Commission presenting the list of specific components for net-zero emission technologies and evaluate the reports respectively on amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 regarding gas storage, by the rapporteur Borys Budka (EPP), and on the future of EU biotechnology and bio-manufacturing sectors by Hildegard Bentele (EPP).
OTHER EVENTS
Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 April. During the IMCO Committee meeting, Members will review the report on the implementation and streamlining of EU internal market rules to strengthen the single market. They will also vote on a resolution regarding the challenges and new business practices in the internal market, presented by the rapporteur and IMCO Chair Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA). Additionally, the draft opinion on European Defence Industry Programme and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products (‘EDIP’) will be discussed and voted on.
Moreover, three structured dialogues will also take place with Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, as well as Executive Vice-Presidents Stéphane Séjourné and Henna Virkkunen.
Tuesday 8 April. In the area of trade relations, a joint meeting of the INTA and Foreign Affairs Committees (AFET) will foresee a public hearing on the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an exchange of views with Sabine Weyand, Director-General at DG Trade and a discussion on the status of EU-China trade and investment relations will also be discussed.
In the area of trade relations, a joint meeting of the INTA and Foreign Affairs Committees (AFET) will feature a public hearing on the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. An exchange of views with Sabine Weyand, Director-General at DG Trade, and a discussion on the status of EU-China trade and investment relations will also be held.
Wednesday 9 April. The Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) will hold a public hearing on “The Reforms of European Electoral Law”, featuring constitutional law experts and AFCO Chair Sven Simon (EPP). Here is the full program.
