BEEF imports to the EU from Brazil will be severely restricted and reduced from early 2008 after veterinary experts agreed that the South American producers were not meeting EU standards.

THE EU’s border and passport-free Schengen area stretches as far as Russia, Ukraine and Belarus from midnight last night as eight of the new member states join the zone.

VODKA drinkers should know exactly what their tipple is made from in future following agreement at EU level on a new spirit drinks regulation.

AS THE only country to have a referendum on the EU Reform Treaty all eyes now shift to Ireland following the official signing of the treaty document in Lisbon yesterday.

IRISH people were urged to show their commitment to Europe by voting in favour of the Reform Treaty by the European Commission president, as leaders from all 27 EU countries formally signed the document in Lisbon.

THE Government has joined a British justice group within the European Union in a move criticised by some MEPs as marginalising the country.

SEVERE restrictions on beef imports from Brazil are expected to be agreed by the European Commission as early as next week.

GOVERNMENT proposals to cut Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% over the next 12 years were called into question by an Irish MEP attending the UN Conference on Climate Change in Bali.

EU MEMBER states are being asked to review their anti-abuse rules in the direct tax area, in an effort to ensure it does not conflict with internal market principles and is not being used to allow unfair avoidance of tax.

KOSOVO, seen as a defining issue in the EU’s foreign policy ability, was the focal point of EU leaders in Brussels yesterday, ahead of an EU summit on Friday.