MEPs, who are meeting in Brussels because of the collapse of a roof in the Strasbourg parliament building during August, will also debate the telecoms package, although the full vote on the package is not expected until the next plenary session on 22-25 September. They are expected to call for EU-level co-ordination of the use of radio spectrum frequencies following the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial TV which will take place by 2012. They are also likely to call for access to the European emergency number 112 to be made available via electronic communications.
The agenda includes the Commission's social package, launched on 2 July. Discussion on the new EU directive on cross-border healthcare, which will be steered by John Bowis, a UK conservative MEP, has been scheduled for the second September plenary.
MEPs will vote on 2 September on a resolution seeking an EU ban on the cloning of animals for food, as well as an embargo on imports of cloned animals and their offspring.
On 3 September MEPs will vote on proposals to simplify the rules for computerised reservation systems used by high-street and online travel agents to book airline tickets for customers. MEPs want the measures to ensure all consumers get a fair deal, as well as offers of environmentally-friendly travel options.
Óscar Arias, the president of Costa Rica, will address MEPs on 3 September. Arias received a Nobel Peace prize in 1987 for his efforts to end civil wars which were raging across several Central American countries at the time.
