Every year, more than 35,000  children are diagnosed with cancer in Europe. Although the average survival rate at five years is 80%, there are significant differences between European countries due to unequal access to the best care and expertise.

Leukaemia appears to be the most frequent and most lethal cancer in children, accounting for more than 30% of new cases and deaths per year.

Fighting cancer is a priority for the EU. In June, the European Parliament set up a special committee to look at how the EU can take concrete  measures to help beat cancer.

Polish EPP member Ewa Kopacz, who is the Parliament coordinator on children’s rights, said: “While we should strive for the prevention of paediatric cancer, we must also work to ensure that all children facing a cancer diagnosis have equal access to treatment and proper care throughout their treatment and recovery.”

The Parliament Vice-President, who is a former paediatrician and health minister, added: “By lightning the European Parliament in gold we send a strong signal of solidarity and support to children and adolescents fighting cancer, their families, childhood cancer survivors and professionals serving them.”

Long-term budget and recovery plan

In May the European Commission proposed a €750 billion economic stimulus plan that along with a revised proposal for the EU’s 2021-2027 budget of €1.1 trillion should help mitigate the shock from the coronavirus pandemic and pave the way to a sustainable future. The proposals are subject to negotiations between Parliament and the member states in the Council.

Green Deal

In September, Parliament’s environment committee will vote on the EU’s climate law, as proposed by the Commission in March, including how the EU can achieve climate neutrality by 2050. It is likely to be voted on by all MEPs during a plenary session in October.

Future of Europe conference

The Conference on the Future of Europe is a new initiative looking at what changes are needed to better prepare the EU for the future. The conference was meant to have kicked off in May, but was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In a resolution adopted during the summer, the Parliament stressed that the conference should start “as soon as possible in autumn 2020”. It is expected to run for two years.

EU-UK negotiations

Talks are ongoing to reach an agreement on the future relationship between the EU and the UK. Under the current withdrawal agreement, there is a transition period until the end of December 2020, so the aim for the two sides is to conclude negotiations before the end of the year. Any agreement can only enter into force if it has been approved by the Parliament.

Digital Services Act

As part of the European Digital Strategy, the Commission has announced it will present a Digital Services Act package in late 2020, which should strengthen the single market for digital services. Parliament’s internal market and consumer protection committee, civil liberties committee and legal affairs committee have all published their draft reports. The committees are expected to vote on their reports in September.

Industrial strategy

In March 2020, the Commission presented a New Industrial Strategy for Europe to ensure that European businesses can transition towards climate neutrality and a digital future. Parliament’s industry and research committee will vote on its report on the matter in September, while all MEPs are expected to vote on it two months after that.

Reform of the EU’s agricultural policy

The final phase of the negotiations on how Europe’s agricultural sector should look after 2020 will depend on a deal on the EU’s budget for 2021-2027. It will also take into account the European Green Deal.

Migration

The Commission is set to present a New Pact on Asylum and Migration, once a preliminary agreement on the EU budget by the member states has been reached. Parliament’s civil liberties committee is currently working on a report on new legal pathways for labour migration to the EU.

Rail passenger rights

The EU is working on new rules to strengthen rail passenger rights, including higher compensation in case of delays and more assistance for people with disabilities. The aim is to be done with this legislative file before 2021, which the Commission has proposed should be the European Year of Rail. After an interruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the interinstitutional negotiations resumed in June.

Crowdfunding

In March 2018, the Commission presented a proposal for a regulation on crowdfunding service providers, as part of its Fintech action plan. The EU market for crowdfunding is underdeveloped compared to other major world economies due to a lack of common rules across the EU. Exactly two years later, Parliament’s economic and monetary affairs committee reached a provisional agreement on the proposal with the Council. This will still need to be formally approved by a majority of MEPs before it can enter into force.