Erstellt am: 14. 2. 2013 - 15:14 Uhr

"Robin Hood" tax set to come to town

Reality Check: Transaction tax, horsemeat scandal, EU-US free trade talks, codes of conduct, down with romance.

Transaction tax

The EU commission presents its plan for a transaction tax, which will be implemented in 11 countries, including Austria.

Our Brussels correspondent Vanessa Mock told Joanna Bostock what we know about the proposal.

Horsemeat scandal

EPA

Despite the scandal, horsemeat butchers say demand is unaffected

Deborah MacKenzie of New Scientist magazine looks at the potential health risks from the horsemeat scandal, and regulation in the complicated and complex food industry.

She says the main lesson from the scandal is that the food industry should not be allowed self regulation, and independent controls must be imposed.

EU-US free trade talks

As the EU and US launch free trade talks, we look at the economic implications of such an agreement with Christian Keuschnigg - Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies.

Codes of conduct

How should politicians behave? What should members of parliament be expected to do and NOT to do? Some countries are introducing Codes of Conduct for MPs and political parties, and are getting help from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Nathalie Tagwerker is with the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and told Joanna Bostock about their work.

The trouble with romance

dpa

On Valentine's day, we look at why romantic love may not be all its cracked up to be - that's according to Mark Vernon, author of "Love:All that Matters".

He explains why we should put less importance on "falling" in love, and more on "standing" in love.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.