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The primary purpose of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is to contribute to the objectives of the CFP:
• promoting competitive, environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially responsible fisheries and aquaculture;
(...)

(...) Other support included programmes related to control and data collection activities in support of the CFP, aquaculture, processing, the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture dependent areas, the development of maritime policy as well as for contributions to international organizations, technical cooperation, and other headings such as market intelligence.

The updated guidance material on unfair commercial practices clarifies the application of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. (...) The revised guidance also incorporates two sets of self-regulatory principles agreed among stakeholders: one will help comparison tools better comply with the Directive and the other will assist in the enforcement of the unfair commercial practices rules against misleading and unfounded environmental claims.

Finally, the seventh adopted element of the second pillar is a directive on revised rules for occupational pension funds. The new rules aim to: first, ensure that occupational pensions are sound and better protect pension scheme members and beneficiaries; second, better inform members and beneficiaries about their entitlements; third, remove obstacles faced by occupational pension funds operating across borders; and fourth, encourage occupational pension funds to invest long-term in economic activities that enhance growth, the environment and employment. EU countries must transpose the new rules into their national law by 13 January 2019.

The freedom to provide services will be applicable to port services. However, managing bodies of a port may impose minimum requirements on the providers of specific port services. When imposed, these requirements shall only relate to professional qualifications, financial capacity, good repute, availability of services, necessary equipment or maritime safety, general safety and security in the port, and relevant environmental and labour requirements. These requirements should not be used as a way of implicitly introducing market barriers and therefore the criteria should be objective and proportionate ensuring the fair treatment of all operators, both existing and potential. Potential operators should have access to training to acquire relevant specific local knowledge.

A member State will have the possibility to designate authorities competent to impose a public service obligation, in line with the applicable state aid rules. The obligations of public services must be clearly defined, transparent, non-discriminatory and verifiable and must relate among others to the availability (no interruption), accessibility (to all users), affordability (for certain categories of users), and the safety, security and environmental sustainability of the port service. (...)

Managing bodies of the port shall define the port infrastructure charges in an autonomous way and according to their own commercial and investment strategy. The port infrastructure charges may be varied in accordance with commercial practices in relation to the frequent use of the port or in order to promote a more efficient use of the port infrastructure, short sea shipping, or the high environmental performance, energy efficiency or carbon efficiency of transport operations.

As described in the previous TPR report dealing with transport services in 2013 , in November 2012 the EU suspended the application of its aviation Emission Trading Scheme (Directive (EC) No. 2008/101) to non-EU airlines and to extra-EU flights in order to encourage multilateral discussion at ICAO on market-based measures. In October 2016, an agreement was reached at ICAO: it will oblige airlines to offset the growth of their CO2 emissions post-2020. To do so, airlines will buy "emission units" generated by projects reducing CO2 emissions in other sectors of the economy (e.g. renewable energies). In its first phase (2021-2026), 65 countries will participate on a voluntary basis. All EU member States will join from the start. In its second phase (2027-2035) participation is mandatory; except for those exempted (countries with small aviation activities). In that light, and if appropriate, the Commission may also make a proposal to review the scope of the European Union Emissions Trading System, with due consideration to be given to the necessary consistency with EU 2030 climate objectives and policy.

Table A2.2 Status of dispute-related WTO matters involving the EU, March 2015-February 2017
Subject of dispute Raised by/against (WTO document) Request for consultations Panel established/panel report circulated AB report circulateda Other developments
As respondent
Anti-dumping measures on biodiesel from Indonesia Indonesia (WT/DS480) 10.06.2014 Panel composed on 4 November 2015
(...)
Anti-dumping measures on biodiesel from Argentina Argentina (WT/DS473) 19.12.2013 Panel report circulated on 29 March 2016 AB report circulated on 6 October 2016 The reports were adopted on 26 October 2016. Argentina and the EU agreed on a reasonable period of time to implement of 9 months and 15 days expiring on 10 August 2017
(...)
Certain measures on the importation and marketing of biodiesel and measures supporting the biodiesel industry Argentina (WT/DS459) 15.05.2013 No In consultations
(...)
Certain measures affecting the renewable energy generation sector China (WT/DS452) 05.11.2012 No The EU accepted the request of Japan to join the consultations on 19 November 2012. Australia and Argentina requested to join the consultations on 19 November 2012
Certain measures concerning the importation of biodiesels Argentina (WT/DS443) 17.08.2012 No
(...)
As complainant
Recycling fee on motor vehicles Russian Federation (WT/DS462) 09.07.2013 Panel established, but not yet composed
(...)

Reducing the sector's reliance on rain fed agriculture through a well-developed irrigation system and the gradual and sustainable transformation of agriculture from subsistence to a more commercially–oriented farming continues to be the main challenge of the Government in its quest to modernize the sector and improve its performance.