European Parliament - EPRS Podcasts, What Europe does for you

register. GIs are intended to protect consumers from misleading marketing. They also provide information to consumers on the origin of the wine and grape varieties used.

Bank accounts are an essential part of everyday life, allowing us to manage our money, shop online, and pay bills. Despite continuous efforts to integrate financial services further, European citizens often still find it difficult to open an account in another EU country or to change banks. In addition, bank fees are sometimes high and not particularly transparent.

Do you, or someone you know, suffer from a rare disease – that affects fewer than 5 in 10 000 people? Most rare disease patients suffer from even rarer conditions, affecting only 1 person in 100 000 or more. However, as there are over 5 000 rare diseases, the number of people suffering from them is high – it is estimated that 30 million Europeans live with a rare disease.

Most of the farms in the EU are small, although the term includes a wide diversity of operations. Although small farms produce only a portion of the total EU agricultural output, their contribution in creating rural employment, supporting rural societies and landscapes, and ensuring that traditional and local production continues, makes them a cornerstone of European agriculture.

Digital products, services and connected devices are playing an ever increasing role in our lives. The digitalisation of society is changing the way we communicate, work and shop, and means that we need to acquire new digital skills.

suffer sexual abuse before they turn 18? Abuse occurs mainly in their immediate environment, but the internet and new technologies have brought a new dimension to the sexual exploitation of children, which is sometimes of a commercial nature.

Individual investors who buy securities for themselves (and not on behalf of a fund or a bank) have access to a growing range of investment products, funds and investment-linked insurance policies, also known as 'packaged retail and insurance-based investment products' (or PRIIPs), offered by banks and insurance companies. The financial crisis has shown that, when it comes to investing in financial products, the information supplied to investors is of the utmost importance.

Do you believe that democracy is key to world security and universal respect of human rights? Do you want to get involved in democratisation in the world? The EU is on your side.

Our children's early years matter a great deal for their well-being and personal development and later for their success in education and employment. Research shows how 'skills beget skills'; how stunting by the age of two is difficult to reverse; how good-quality early childhood education and care services can help children, even in the long term, to overcome difficulties caused by a lack of help at home.

We live in a time of electronic communication, and enjoy easy and immediate access to friends and information. The internet and social media seem to reign as kings. We also want this ease and freedom to extent to other parts of our life, such as our interaction with administrations. The European Union is actively helping with that.