Dr & Mrs gonzi - MaltaRightNow.com

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| EU |A European Toy SafetyCampaign for theChristmas Seasonby Brenda AzzopardiThe European Commission has just triggered offregulations in time for Christmas, after thousandsof suspected toys - many of them Chinese-madeproducts containing high amounts of lead, paint andchoking hazards - were sold in European markets.During the last few months, various batches of toyswere, for some reason or other, found to be unsuitablefor children. Last August, the EU took action byordering the withdrawal of millions of Chinese-madeproducts from shops’ shelves.To increase the awareness of both parents andchildren of this problem, and on how this should betackled to avoid potential danger, Commissionerfor Consumer Protection Meglenda Kuneva, hascome up with a new toy safety campaign, entitled‘Safety Holidays’. Consumer organisations aroundEurope are to assume responsibility for increasingawareness in their respective countries, at local level.According to the European Commission, the currentEU regulatory framework; namely the General ProductSafety Directive together with its RAPEX system, isfundamentally sound, but a double check at everystage of production and effective enforcement of thepresent legal framework would put it on a firmer basis.A review of toy safety checks is also in its finalstages, while the issue of proposals for a directiveon toy safety before Christmas is also in the pipeline,in response to the European Parliament’s requestto improve theCE markingsystem. TheCE markshows thatan item meetsall the essentialrequirements setout by the relevantEU directives and that theapplicable conformity assessmentprocedures have been followed. The current systemdepends more on the conduction of the safety testscarried out by manufacturers themselves, whereasaccording to the European Parliament, checks andcertifications by independent inspectors will be moreeffective.MEPs are now demanding that all toy productsshould clearly show the place of production. Since theendorsement of a proposed Directive by the EU-27before the festive season is highly unlikely, some kindof measure is needed to step up action improvingthe marking system of toys during this campaign.Consistently, the Commissioner has underlined thatthere will be no more compromise where safety issuesare concerned and where European values are atstake. Also, even though the Commission believes inopen markets and fair competition, this will never becarried out at the expense of safety. As for trade withChina, it is in the interest of both parties to maintainstrong relations, as long as problems relating toproduct safety are solved.The ultimate goal for the EU is to strike acompromise between business and consumers, whereone would find companies guaranteeing safe goods;while parents, especially, are being warned about thehazards involved. The ‘Safety Holidays’ campaignis intended to provide direction on how to choose achild’s Christmas present; defining, in the process,which goods are dangerous and what precautionsshould be taken to protect children. In the end, actionat both EU and national level must go hand-in-hand togive consumers the high standards they deserve. For further information contact Forum Malta fl-Ewropaon telephone 2590 9101, or by email on foruminfo@gov.mt.Brenda Azzopardi is Research Analyst at Forum Malta fl-Ewropa22 L&s | DECEMBER ’07
ChristmasHOME FORChristmas is a special time for most of us and it means different things as we grow up. I stillremember, as a child, the thrill of waiting excitedly for Santa, until one day I caught sight ofmy mum creeping into our bedroom to put some toays in our stockings! It was sad to wake upto reality! Then it was the excitement of the first midnight mass, Christmas carols sung in theschool pageant, a fallen wing off a Xmas Angel’s costume, the special red ‘nylon’ tights wewere allowed to wear for showing off at grandma’s, and the general mayhem when meeting thebountiful cousins. I guess growing up has meant transferring all that onto my child, findingdelight in putting up our first family Christmas tree and waiting for the gulbiena togrow, as well as partying with friends, and making that extra effort to meet up withold acquaintances.Charlotte Stafrace asked Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi about hisChristmas memories, and what the festive season means to himand his family.How was Christmas spent when youwere a kid?Christmas was the best time of the year for us.School holidays, football with friends, presents. Familyreunions, which were always a wonderful and excitingexperience for us all. Midnight mass. Chestnuts andcocoa at midnight. When it came to present-giving –we used to exchange presents at my grandma’s onEpiphany.Dr. & Mrs. Gonzi during last year's MaratonaAny early recollections of a particular Christmas orany usual ones?All of them were special events. In hindsight, each onewas an experience in growing up.Did you ever participate innativity plays as a child?No. I was never keen on stageperformances. I was a boy wholoved football because it gaveme the opportunity to express myselfwith a group of close friends whoshared my passions andpastimes.Did you believe in Santa Claus?I suppose so - at least till I was three or four yearsold until I discovered that our Santa bore a strongresemblance to one of my favourite uncles….. I knewthen - something was wrong.Do you holiday abroad in the Christmas season?Sometimes. But as a rule I prefer to spendthe time with my family and enjoy my homeenvironment.How will you be spending Christmas?Hopefully with my family at home.
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Page 5 and 6: | LIFE&STYLE |a change of lifeMaric
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Page 21 and 22: | FOOD |KNOW YOUR TURKEY✁In the r
Page 23 and 24: | FOOD |TURKEY BREASTWITH MUSHROOMS
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