Efforts by Monsanto to introduce genetically modified maize into the European Union hit a fresh roadblock yesterday when member states upheld bans imposed by Austria and Hungary.
European states will have the authority to determine whether to open their energy markets to foreign investment from companies such as Gazprom, according to a compromise agreement reached by European energy ministers yesterday.
The agreement scales back the European Commission's efforts to exercise greater oversight over foreign participation in the EU energy market.
The slowing economy and financial crisis are testing Europe's goal of becoming a world leader in greenhouse gas reduction.
Industry has seized on the slowdown to lobby for delayed or watered down regulations, arguing that directives set out by the European Commission earlier this year would force them to cut jobs or relocate factories abroad.
