Posts Tagged ‘life’

The "outraged," Anatomy of an unstructured movement

October 15, 2011 - 5:48 pm Comments Off

On May 15 the "outraged" Spaniards camped in the square of Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Borrowing their name to the pamphlet by Stephen Hessel, they said they were inspired by the Arab Spring to shout their rebellion against the explosion of unemployment and austerity policies implemented by the government … Since then, the challenge has been extended in the rest of Europe but also overseas. Five months after the birth of the movement in Spain, in 82 countries is that these "outraged" will show this Saturday, October 15. Zurich to New York, to Rome, Tijuana, Hong Kong and Johannesburg, calls have been launched in 951 cities worldwide.

Their message to politicians and financial elites, as can be read on the site 15october, is: "The powers that be working for the benefit of some ignoring both the will of the majority that the price human and environmental we pay. This intolerable situation has to stop. "On the site of the movement Occupy Wall Street, the tone is the same:" The thing we all have in common is that we are the 99% who will not tolerate any longer the greed and the corruption of the remaining 1%. "In Italy, the program is summarized as follows: "Occupation of public places by millions of people who do not want to pay the enormous economic and social crisis in the place of those who have caused: political power industrial, economic and financial" .

No central authority

This day of action is to cross an important milestone in the movement, which now acquires an international dimension. "It was needed to make weight against the power of financial markets that operate on a global scale," says Sophie Banasiak, "indignant" Paris.

However, there is no central body to coordinate the different actions. "If the collective Democracia Real Ya played a leading role in the initial mobilization in Spain, he does not prevail, either in the capital of the country or world, Heloise said Nez, a sociologist at the University Paris 13.Many groups are working together, but none have hegemony over the movement horizontal and egalitarian aims. There is no visible head and outraged caregivers to regularly change the voice online pay day loans. "

"If someone asks you 'who is behind it', they reply: 'I'" retorted on those who seek the organizers. The spread of a city or country to another must be spontaneous, for emulation. A process greatly facilitated by social networks, where multiple keywords are emerging, such as "yeswecamp", "# yosoy15O", "# event15oct" or "# Globalrevolution" … "I do not even know exactly who launched the idea of ​​the October 15, recognizes Spyros, OccupyLSX supporter of the movement in London.We have seen that call for Saturday and it was inspired by the movement Occupy wall street to do the same thing here. "

Specific demands of each country

If dissatisfied with the world found common denominators, claims and complaints are divided again according to national issues. In Spain, Real Democracia Ya accent has been on the reform of the electoral law to end the two-party system as well as stopping the evictions of indebted owners. In Anglo-Saxon countries, it is mainly finance, pointed as responsible for the crisis, which is targeted. Witness the names of the movements that develop, "Occupy Wall Street" and "Occupy London Stock Exchange (OccupyLSX)." In Israel, the mobilization is the expensive housing while in Italy, the outraged refuse to pay "a debt they have incurred."But all these central issues do not prevent each protester to express other concerns. In Spain some point impunity surrounding crimes of Francoism and the United States is denounced police brutality or the death penalty …

Above all, each city retains its autonomy: information flows globally, but "decisions, they, are taken at meetings in every city, Banasiak said Sophie. Each city chooses its own way of decision. In Paris and Madrid for example, is the consensus. The international dimension does not change the fact that the essence of the movement is local: it is in the physical encounter and dialogue in the streets. "

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Brussels imposes traceability toys

August 20, 2011 - 3:52 pm Comments Off

The race against time for Christmas toys began. The year 2011 is not easy. In addition to the rising price of raw materials, manufacturers and distributors must manage an additional constraint: the implementation, since July 20, the new European directive on toy safety. This significantly strengthens the requirements. So, in laboratories and offices, the list of requests made to the standards continues to grow … "The timing is not ideal compared to year-end holidays," says Stéphane Azoulai , Vice President Lansay.

The new directive, which replaces a text dating from 1988, strengthens the regulation, including through improved product traceability. Each toy must now be accompanied by his "identity card".Which identifies the entire production chain, from raw material origin to the name of the toy factory where it was manufactured. As for the 'CE' (European Community), it must be printed directly on the product or its label and not only on its packaging.

"The goal is to enable consumers to find out where the toy," says Serge Milon, toy expert at SGS, the world leader in inspection and certification. Mistrust has indeed increased in recent years, the list of suspect products (cadmium, phthalates …) have ceased to grow.

The Directive also takes into account the changing attitudes of children. The markings were made more accessible by using shorter sentences and more punchy ("choking," for example).The new text drummed cards especially among manufacturers, distributors and importers in an area where more than three quarters of the products are manufactured in China. The responsibility for quality and safety, is now shared paydayloan. It no longer lies only to manufacturers.

An implementation guide accompanies the 150-page directive to allow decoding risk analysis, monitoring records … If some importers or distributors may prefer a blind eye to the origin of a particular toy, they could now show zeal. Some will have to conduct additional inspections. "This is monstrous files to provide our clients, Stéphane Azoulai sorry.Some signs are up again test the toys in the laboratory. "

Advantage given to European manufacturers

The cost of the new standards, up from 10% to 20%, also changes the game. It takes 1,000 to 4,000 euros per product, depending on its level of sophistication. Products stored for more than three years must also board safety tests. "When 150 references, it starts to do a lot!" Stéphane Azoulai plague. "These high costs lead us to limit the depth of our range, adds Thierry Bertoux, CEO of Jemini, the French soft toys and furniture for children. It is easier for a multinational company to amortize these costs over several million pieces. "

Some companies have chosen to transform their organization to adapt to the regulations.At Lansay, one person was previously in charge of standards and procurement. A team will soon be established.

If it is more restrictive, the new regulations, however, gives a competitive advantage to European companies, "insofar as it creates barriers to entry," said Thierry Bertoux. "Making cost could lead to compromise at the expense of safety, says Serge Milon. It is a way to make quality and safety of products up by applying best practices. "

Pharmacies out of stock

August 2, 2011 - 2:04 pm Comments Off

Twenty products absent from the shelves of the pharmacy on the first day of the week. This is the situation that a small pharmacy owner in the fifteenth arrondissement of Paris, a few days of the summer closure of his pharmacy. An almost normal, and shared by many of his colleagues. These problems of supply disruptions, the pharmaceutical companies (LEEM) have also identified a few months. Front-line antiretroviral drugs (treatments against AIDS), insulin, or steroids. In some small pharmacies, such as supply disruptions related antidepressants and vaccines.

"The mountain of pharmacies in these areas have alerted us, says we in the trade association of the drug industry, because in general, breaks off and still found the result of bad weather, or social movements. " This was not necessarily the case in recent months."For some specific drugs, including antiretrovirals, there is a significant difference between the amounts made available to the distribution channel for businesses, and far below the number of units dispensed by pharmacies in town," confirms the organization.

In this case, then those products which go missing? According to Leem, some drugs would be captured by "short liners," the new intermediate appeared recently (4-5 years), whose intervention "aims to capture the margins, and do not have to Unlike the traditional players, a culture of health professionals ", warns Leem.And the controversy grew about the possible disruptive effect that these new players would result in the drug market.

Introduction of quotas

These new entrants are currently only 2.5% of the market for thirty entities in competition with wholesale distributors, who are the traditional intermediaries between laboratories and the approximately 23,000 French owners of pharmacies. "This is especially true for drugs produced and distributed in small quantities, such as antiretroviral (ARV) where their intervention significantly affects the fluidity of the market, says Emmanuel Déchin, general secretary of the Chambre Syndicale in the pharmaceutical distribution (CSRP) , which comprises seven members, representing 97% of the French market."We know that none of these ARV box which is sold is intended for the French market.".

In addition, since the early 2000s in France, every distribution is given by pharmaceutical companies, quotas based on national market share. "We understand the concern of an economic actor such as a laboratory to better control the flow of production, Emmanuel Déchin tempers. But it also induces more rigid and can penalize us and expose us to break. " Today, about 600 drugs on the 5300 allowed the French market are subject to these quotas. And strong demand in France for some products, lead to regular stock-outs on nearly 270 specialties, according to the Union of pharmacists (USPO).

Also, some advance to explain that the pharmaceutical giants, or even distributors, do not hesitate to reserve a portion of their stocks of the more "lucrative". Indeed, patented products still sell for an average of three to five times more expensive in the U.S. than in France. And even within the European Union, large disparities persist. On average, the products can be sold 20% more expensive in Germany than in France, while in Spain, prices are generally lower than 10%. "I do not honestly believe that a laboratory, despite its economic imperatives, can do this type of arbitrage to the detriment of the health of patients' tempers Déchin Emmanuel.

The health minister is prepared to legislate

For his part, and face these charges, the Health Minister Xavier Bertrand was firm: "These systems are known to parallel importation, but I do not want that.What is planned for France should be consumed in France, "he said on Europe 1 radio on Tuesday. He was prepared to legislate if laboratories and wholesalers did not meet their obligations, "or you meet your quota, or I will oblige with a new text, he said. It's a shame to come here but I will not hesitate one second to do so. "

Therefore, to overcome these difficulties, some small pharmacists have no choice but to defeat the usual, explains that another pharmacist in a small pharmacy (800,000 euros of annual turnover): "either we manage with co-major pharmacies that are generally better off than us, or we go directly to the laboratory control. But this can only be temporary, because of course we pay more than the wholesaler! ".For two or three years, the pharmacist admitted being increasingly confronted with such situations, including antiretrovirals and cancer. Clearly, treatments that can not wait. Troubleshooting

Faced with this shortage, Leem and the French Agency for Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS) have set up emergency solutions (stocks troubleshooting, short circuit …) and special issues to avoid the maximum out-of treatment for patients. A temporary workaround, which can not do without an in-depth study of the new challenges of the French system of drug distribution. What the Department of Competition and Fraud (DGCCRF) seems to be addressing.

In turn, dispatchers did not call for the abolition of quotas, nor to that of intra-EU trade, but felt that the resolution of this issue "very complex" pass through "pragmatism and a sense of responsibility on the part of all actors in the chain, given the economic pressure to which they are subjected. "

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The weaknesses of the five Greek plan

July 28, 2011 - 8:00 pm Comments Off

The lull will not last long. A week just after the EU summit that was to stop the crisis by helping Greece, markets fall back into distrust. The plan of 109 billion euros, which would act as a sedative, is no longer effective. "While Greece is doing a little better than before the summit. But Wednesday the gap between interest rates Greek and German, the reference, has widened. Another day or two like this and the country will end up worse off than before, "notes Paul Donovan, economist at UBS.

Feared the contagion to other fragile states (Spain, Italy) was not stopped. Their rates have continued to climb and investors are questioning the limits of the plan presented last Thursday.

Inaccuracies

For the first time, investors will be strongly encouraged to participate in the rescue effort in Greece.Problem: lack of market information needed to assess how the financial industry will lose this game. "Financial institutions are supposed to have the three options, but these are not detailed in the European statement last Thursday", wonders Justin Knight, in charge rates for the euro area at UBS. The banking lobby, the Institute of International Finance, which participated in the negotiations, estimated probable losses for the sector to about 20% of total investments in the Greek debt.

Slow and laborious operation

EU leaders decided to put more tools available to the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), the mechanism to assist states in need. The latter, which could only provide the states, will now buy the debt of these countries if attacked by the markets.Such action requires great responsiveness. However, the EFSF will have to wait to obtain the unanimous agreement of Member States before acting. "It is as if a city council should meet every time before sending firefighters extinguish a fire," concerned the analysis of ING, who would have liked a more flexible operation.

Not enough resources

The EFSF could also not have the means to exercise its new powers. Laurence Boone, euro zone economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said it would take 290 billion euros to defend Italy and Spain if they were attacked by the markets Payday Loan for Bad Credit. However, it has only 220 billion euros available. "The lack of risk to amputate the Fund's effectiveness," the economist concluded. A member of the European Central Bank (ECB) said it would increase the envelope of EFSF to 1000 billion euros.Economists European Centre for the Study of CEPS for their part feel the need to 4000 billion euros.

Not generous enough for Greece

European leaders have relaxed the conditions under which they provide loans to Greece, Portugal and Ireland. The repayment period was extended and the interest rate was lowered to 3.5%. Insufficient, according to analysts at Nomura: "The average interest rate on the Greek debt should be below 3% to enable it to achieve its goals of reducing its debt to 2031, ie to fall below 90% of gross domestic product (GDP). "The rating agency Standard & Poor's therefore believes that a new Greek debt restructuring will be needed in two years.

Not enough integration

The German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, has himself acknowledged Wednesday: the summit does not mark the end of the European crisis of debt. "A deeper economic union, including debt issues debt securities in Europe, is needed before we can declare overcome the crisis of debt in the euro area," said Michala Marcussen, chief economist at Societe Generale CIB.

In the end, "a supranational institution with real power to limit public deficits is essential," ING slice. It is the dream of Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank on the move: a European finance minister who would enforce fiscal discipline, over the states.Until such a reform, economists predict further mounted fever, until the appropriate remedy is provided.

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European shares nervous

July 13, 2011 - 2:40 pm Comments Off

Rain of bad news and stock prices in free fall: the equity markets reconnect with painful memories of that week. The day after a heavy fall session, the Paris Bourse continued to tumble Tuesday. The listing of the CAC 40, which was no longer available since 9:56, due to technical problems with NYSE Euronext seeks to determine the cause, took over around 1:35 p.m.. To 14h, the index was down 1.19% to 3762.10 points. The Paris index is so close to its lows of the year (3,696.56 points on March 16).

On other European markets, some markets reduced their losses: Milan fell by 0.50% in mid-session, Madrid from 1.47% and the London Stock Exchange fell back to 1.55% and Frankfurt 2.09 %.

On both sides of the Atlantic, countries are faced with concerns about the level of debt.In the eurozone, fears of contagion from the debt crisis, with Italy in its sights, spread. European finance ministers are trying to reassure the markets and say they want to "preserve the financial stability of the euro area" and "resist the risk of contagion" said the head of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Junker. But after a meeting that had at a crisis meeting, the central bankers do not scaffold new plan. A lack of concrete severely punished by the markets. I

They however expressed their readiness to increase the size of the Emergency Fund financial.They are also considering a "lengthening of maturities of loans" made to allow more time for countries struggling to pay to reduce the interest rates of loans to Greece.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese economy expected to contract by 2% in 2011 and 1.8% next year, partly because of the austerity program that the country has committed to implement in exchange for financial assistance international, according to new forecasts from the Bank of Portugal.

And the problem of sovereign debt is a concern across the Atlantic. The U.S. president, however, has indicated a willingness to compromise, particularly on reducing the budget deficit.

As a result, the euro accentuated its losses against the dollar Tuesday, falling to levels seen for four months.Around 11:00 in Paris, the single European currency was worth 1.3930 dollars against 1.4029 dollars the night before.

Inflation and rising Livret A

The consumer prices in France rose 0.1% in June as in May, according to the National Institute of Statistics, an increase that has immediately led to an increase of 2 to 2.25% rate remuneration of the Livret A. Prices over the year were up 2.1% (after + 2%). Excluding tobacco, the increase is the same.

Rising prices of consumer goods in supermarkets rose 0.4% in June, after rising more pronounced 0.7% in May, INSEE said on Tuesday in a statement. OPEC will release today the release of its monthly report.In the U.S., we know the trade in May (1430) and then comes the publication of the minutes of the last Fed meeting (20 hours).

Banks in trouble

The sharp fall of the European banking sector marked a break in the late morning Tuesday, but this improvement technique does not dispel investors' fears of contagion from the debt crisis in Italy or Spain. A Credit Agricole, which fell nearly 5% to 2.33% leaves the opening in mid-session, followed by BNP Paribas which yields 1.32% and Societe Generale was down 0.92%. For his part gleans Natixis 0.40%. The conclusion was the same in Europe with a major Stoxx European banking shares down 1.39% against 5% at the close Monday.

Carrefour lost 3.56%.The group met with a setback in Brazil: the government no longer supports the project Carrefour to approach the local distributor Pao de Acucar, while the Brazilian National Bank for Development has agreed to support the funding. The transaction is challenged by Casino, already a partner of Pao de Acucar, which opposes the merger of the latter with its rival.

The title of the French car rental company short Ucar evolved sharply down on Tuesday for his first day of trading on the Paris Bourse, in a context of very difficult market due to the crisis in the eurozone. At 12:00, Ucar lost 5.31% to 14.1 euros.

In addition, Christophe de Margerie, CEO of Total (-1.8%), was "summoned" to Bercy by the Minister of Economy, Baroin. The goal is to take stock of the evolution of fuel prices. "A study published by Le Parisien suggests that oil tankers are quick to pass on price increases at the pump, which is less true for the declines.

Vivendi (-1.35%) may waive the tax Consolidated Global Profit, writes Les Echos newspaper Tuesday.

Publicis (-1.25%) announced Monday the acquisition of a controlling interest in the advertising agency DPZ, based in Sao Paulo.

Bull after falling 1.52% expressed the signing of an agreement with Carmat, designer of artificial heart, for the development of equipment for carrying artificial heart. And that's the whole electronics sector that folds.

For its part, the title of his new partner earns 7.83%, to 183.10 euros, having announced Carmat a capital increase of EUR 25.5 million.The operation is primarily intended to fund clinical trials in humans and manufacture of prostheses, for a first commercialization in 2013. The total artificial heart specialist has also submitted its application for authorization of clinical trials with the French health authorities (AFSSAPS). If approved, Carmat realize the first implantation in humans before the end of the year.

A consortium of six companies led by EDF EN, a subsidiary of EDF (0.43%) Monday formalized his candidacy for the tender that the French government has launched for offshore windEEN has partnered with Dong Energy, Nass & Wind Offshore Poweo ENR, wpd Offshore and Alstom.

Icade announced the signing of a put option for the purchase of seven clinics belonging to the private hospital Medi-Partners for $ 233 million.

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Baroin Pécresse and Idrac vying to succeed Lagarde

June 15, 2011 - 4:56 am Comments Off

Brasilia, Beijing, New Delhi, Cairo … Christine Lagarde has just completed the first part of his world tour to tout his candidacy for the general direction of the International Monetary Fund. Here she is back in Europe. She is in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday will be the Elysee for the Council of Ministers. For his part, Nicolas Sarkozy consults to choose one who could succeed to the Minister of Economy. Multiplying during the weekend of Pentecost, phone calls to his closest. "Nicolas Sarkozy is favorable to a minimum redesign. Its priorities, it is women and centrists. He feels he can not promote that of men, "says one of them.Another relative agrees: "Even if the president is anxious to raise a generation" Sarko ", its priority is to weaken the operation Borloo."

Another Chirac?

Three candidates stand thus Bercy: Baroin, Valerie Pecresse and former Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Anne-Marie Idrac, whose name has been blown by the President Edouard Balladur. If you believe the president of the UMP group in the Assembly Christian Jacob, the appointment of Baroin would be "more natural". "Francis knows the house and it would be hard at work immediately," says his friend. Which adds: "Remember that the successor will be named Christine Lagarde for a relatively short time."

But Baroin name "would raise another Chirac," sighs an elected UMP. Baroin has used the weekend to demonstrate its utility by Nicolas Sarkozy.The "adopted son" of Jacques Chirac would have intervened with the entourage of the former President of the Republic that he inflected his words on his vote in favor of Francis Holland in 2012. Is he aware of the frustration has been caused to the Elysee, Chirac's exit? He dreads the knock-on effects that this might have on the next redesign? "Sarkozy thinks he was badly rewarded by Chirac. He thinks of the consequences of the attitude of Chirac, "said a close.

"Sarkozy is like Chirac"

Should be appointed Minister of Economy, the carrier would lose Baroin parolat government installment payday loans. Sarkozy has thought of Bruno Mayor to replace him. A nice consolation prize for the former chief of staff to Dominique de Villepin who would succeed him as Christine Lagarde but the president wants to stay in agriculture. "Sarkozy is like Chirac.He does not move people when they give satisfaction to their job, "analyzes a former minister. More recently, he cited the name of the Minister for Ecology Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet for door-parolat.

Nicolas Sarkozy would then play the "woman card" by ricochet. Unless he chooses to replace Lagarde by a woman. In this case, the Minister of Higher Education and Research Valérie Pécresse, Chirac also, who would hold the rope. More centrist than the Anne-Marie Idrac, on which the President recently expressed some reservations. Pécresse has several other advantages: the autonomy of universities is being hailed as the most emblematic of the reforms five years, his training and his career at HEC Ministerial Research have honed economic issues, his mastery of English , Japanese and Russian.

Viewed from the Elysee, his appointment at Bercy present another advantage: that of "liberating" a ministry full for the centrists. "John Leonetti or Marc-Philippe Daubresse Pécresse could succeed, but I think the president has a preference for Daubresse," said a relative. The name of Lawrence Hénart, secretary general of the Radical Party and close to Jean-Louis Borloo, also returns. Indeed, some suggest that poaching of this very close Borloo would be more "useful" than to honor a debt vis-à-vis Leonetti. "Leonetti said a member, is a faithful while qu'Hénart would be a prize of war."

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The state grows Thales and Safran to unite

April 27, 2011 - 7:56 pm Comments Off

A reconciliation between Thales and Safran would be back on the agenda. Rumors of marriage between two French groups regularly return to the front of the stage, but this time the state would be to maneuver, reports the daily Les Echos. Despite the failure of recent negotiations last year, the OEM aerospace and electronics group had engaged "in discussions on a constructive fashion," the newspaper said.

The newspaper added that the previous defense minister, Alain Juppe, have pushed for a resumption of negotiations.The state shareholder and largest customer of both groups would want more support two competing consulting firms and advocates a merger of two groups of military assets to reduce costs.

Distrust of employees

Besides the savings from a union of military assets in both groups, the State believes that marriage is relevant from a strategic perspective. The reconciliation of optronics Safran and Thales that would indeed rise to number one in the field, with over one billion euros in revenue. The approximation of the cluster inertial navigation would also be justified.

However, last year and for the same reasons, the government had pushed for such an approximation, but in vain.The outlook for mergers and optronics business inertial navigation had aroused the suspicion of the employees who feared a possible breakup of their business.

But in early March, the CEO of Thales Luc Vigneron said his group was "open to talking with Safran because we are two major international groups, based on French, who have a mutual interest to strengthen an exchange of complementary assets." Remains whether the new defense minister, Gerard Longuet, will be more convincing than its predecessor.

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The Easter boost chocolate sales

April 23, 2011 - 5:08 pm Comments Off

Sunday, many children will go to the Easter egg hunt. A religious symbol, synonymous with abundance and renewal, but also an opportunity to enjoy chocolate in all its forms. "Easter is the traditional appointment with the French chocolatiers. The values ​​of sharing and conviviality carried by the support chocolate consumption during the festive periods, "explains Florence Pradier, general secretary of the union of chocolate.

So last year, purchases of other chickens and rabbits chocolate rose by 3.87% over the same period of 2009. In total, 13,400 tons were tasted in France to mark the Easter weekend, an average of 223 grams per person. At the sales charts, eggs, large or small, still occupy the top of the podium, even though dinosaurs or dolphins have appeared in the windows of chocolate."The large eggs or small eggs filled chocolates, milk and black are the most requested," said Arnaud Tavares, manager of the store of the Marquise de Sevigne in Paris' sixteenth arrondissement.

A distribution channel with bakeries and pastry shops account for 15% of chocolate sales in France as against 85% in supermarkets. "For us, Easter is the strongest period of the year before Christmas," Sophie adds, director of the Museum of Chocolate in Strasbourg, where traditionally it is the Rabbits and hares are popular. Taking into account the Christmas sales, which are chewed 33,800 tons of chocolate, these two periods of the year totaled more than 12% of annual sales of chocolate from France payday loans guaranteed no fax.

The price of cocoa beans has doubled in two years

"During holidays, the French are more likely to eat chocolate with an increase of 600 tons sold at Easter and Christmas 2010, the two highlights traditional chocolate consumption," says Florence Pradier. With 6.3 kg per capita in 2010, 378,000 tons, France is the 5th-largest consumer of chocolate behind Germany (11.3 kg), the European leader, and the United Kingdom (10.9 kg), his heir apparent.

In the kingdom of His Majesty, the Gauls are distinguished particularly because they are much more dark chocolate lovers as the rest of the British. The fans see it as the "only real" chocolate. In fact, dark chocolate is 30% of consumption in France, against 5% in other EU countries.During the year, the shelves are especially popular with just under a third of sales, ahead of sweets, appetizers, and other rocks, totaling a quarter of sales. The rest is divided between the spreads (19%), cocoa powder (15%) and chocolate bars (11%).

However, doubling the price of cocoa beans in two years following the civil war in Ivory Coast that supply 40% of the world, has curbed the appetite of the French. The shelf price of which is the benchmark rose 10% in two years. Result: chocolate sales on the single period of 2010 decreased by 2.9%. The question is how the market will evolve after the lull in Abidjan. Difficult to read in the dregs of cocoa!

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Brussels restarts the carbon tax

April 14, 2011 - 2:32 am Comments Off

The Barroso Commission is preparing a great tussle tax: it was unveiled on Wednesday a proposed carbon tax that would raise the price of diesel and coal, raising the ire of Berlin, London and the annoyance of reservations in Paris.

Reform, touted as essential to put the tax in accordance with the fight against global warming, is especially transport fuels and fossil fuels for heating. The minimum tax rate based on two parameters. CO2 emissions at a price of 20 euros per tonne to reduce harmful emissions.And energy content to promote the most efficient (9.60 euros per gigajoule for fuel and 0.15 euro for fuels).

"This is to encourage clean energy, biofuels and help reduce dependency created by imports of imported diesel," says Algirdas Semeta, Commissioner of Taxation. The unanimity of the Member States and a vote of the European Parliament will be needed to approve it, which is far from won, as recognized by José Manuel Barroso.

Diesel and fuel oil, which currently taxed, would be more. It would also be true for coal. The minimum rate for diesel would increase from 330 euros to 412 euros per m3 in 2018, an increase of 8 cents per liter. In essence, it would remain unchanged at 359 euros.

Arrangements

The goal is a minimum tax is unique in Europe.It would force it to align countries with low excise duties on fuels, such as Luxembourg or Eastern European countries who purchase Russian diesel. States that are above the floor could maintain their tax unchanged or even decrease.

This carbon tax would apply to transport, building and agriculture, responsible for 60% of the 4.9 billion tons of CO2 and other greenhouse gases emitted each year by the EU. The professionals of the sea would be exempt. Heavy industry and aviation are not affected because already incorporated a mechanism for allocating rights to pollute (ETS). Electricity is regarded as clean, is not affected at the stage of delivery.

Many improvements and grants are drawn. The dual mechanism proposed by Brussels to be operational in 2023.But he faces sensitivities as varied as the uses of energy. Germany, champion of the automotive and diesel engine, responded within the hour: "Reform is in the interest of neither citizens nor the auto industry, or subcontractors, or the environment, "said Minister of Economy, Rainer Bruederle.

France, supported in principle, fear the displeasure of its farmers and its roads. The United Kingdom, which already has a national tax, was opposed in principle to any tax imposed by Brussels. Ireland is on the same line, such as Luxembourg. Large consumers of coal, such as Poland, are finally hostile to any penalty.

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Renault: two new engines manufactured in Spain and Romania

April 1, 2011 - 11:56 pm Comments Off

Renault could have done this possible controversy. But a few weeks after pleading guilty to wrongfully dismissed three executives accused of espionage and one year after the turmoil created by the case of the Clio – it planned to relocate to Turkey – the manufacturer must again be accountable.

The group decided to entrust the production of two new engines to its sites in Romania and Spain, he said Friday. The H4 (3 cylinders) and H5 (4 cylinders) are respectively made from 2013 on the site Dacia Pitesti, specialist low cost, and Valladolid (2012). The announcement had been made in these two countries, but Renault had kept the trumpet in France.

This decision could affect the French mechanics Douvrin in the North.The plant, owned jointly by PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault, the engine produces D4, a less powerful 4-cylinder (60 to 80 horses, 90 horses cons for the H4 and H5 for 115 horsepower). The motor assembly D4 employs 450 people, about 3450. The downturn could cost more than 200 jobs, said the CGT. These positions will not be replaced by the manufacture of cylinder heads and camshafts for the new engines, which could employ 40 people, said the union.

In response, the group has indicated its commitment not to make any plans for layoffs or voluntary redundancy as part of its new strategic plan. But unions fear that retirement will not be replaced.

Lower volumes

"It relocates slowly, even if management tries to minimize," sighs Alain Labarre, CGT Douvrin.The group, however, rejects these accusations. "The H4 and H5 are required to take the place of older models that were almost similar already made in Turkey, Spain and Romania," said a spokesman, adding that such engines "are not competitors D4 Douvrin made. This engine, fitted to small cars like the Twingo and the Clio (as will the H4) and low-cost models, will be "produced in parallel in the coming years," because "it can offer rates aggressive. "

In late January, Philippe De Coene, director of the French mechanics, however, said that the arrival of a small 3-cylinder would "intervene in the market" of 4-cylinder engine manufactured in Douai, as mentioned by Liberation. He said the volume of the D4 engine "will tend to decline," even if "we will not stop producing it in 2013 and he did not" concern "for the job.He added that he "fought to get another engine family."

In 2010, Renault has made 29% of its engines in France, against 85% for PSA. Renault says it will carry, however 40% of its investment in France by 2013. Engine side, the group said it will produce R9M, a 130 horsepower diesel for the Megane to Cleon, Seine-Maritime. A factory will also manufacture electric motors in 2013.

While the new European standards will make diesel engines more expensive gasoline engines of new generation have a bright future ahead of them. H4 and H5 models, which will reduce CO2 emissions by 30 to 40 grams per kilometer, would represent 85% of the volume of gasoline engines for Renault in 2015.