11/06/2023 00:00 | Event Informal meeting of agriculture ministersOn 11–13 June 2023, EU agriculture ministers will take part in an informal meeting in Stockholm, chaired by Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren. The theme of the meeting is the potential of agriculture to contribute to the green transition. |
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Informal ministerial meeting
11 - 13 June 2023
Informal meeting of agriculture ministers
Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren.© Johannes Frandsen/Government Offices
Practical information
Date
11 - 13 June 2023
Place
Scandinavian XPO
Location
Stockholm, Sweden
On 11–13 June 2023, EU agriculture ministers will take part in an informal meeting in Stockholm, chaired by Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren. The theme of the meeting is the potential of agriculture to contribute to the green transition.
This meeting provides an opportunity for the participants to learn about and see more of Swedish agriculture, research and innovation in an informal and relaxed setting. The programme includes a number of study visits, including the chance to see Swedish innovative agricultural solutions. Mr Kullgren will then host a dinner for the delegates that will showcase Swedish food and culture.
An attaché meeting for the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) will be organised alongside the ministerial meeting.
Programme – media information
Tuesday 13 June09:00 Handshake and doorstep
11:30 Family photo
13:00 Press conference
Programme
Preliminary Programme 11 13 June
PDF, 127Kb
Download document
Download media handbook
Agrifish Media Handbok
PDF, 476Kb
Download document
Contact
Erik Palmerik.palm@gov.se
Nina Pasonina.paso@gov.se
Article
1 June 202315:14
Towards a green transatlantic marketplace
The press conference on 31 May.© Government Offices of Sweden
As holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Sweden hosted the fourth meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Luleå on 30–31 May. Luleå, located in Sweden’s Arctic region, was selected as the venue to showcase Swedish solutions for the green and industrial transitions.
“These two days in Luleå have shown how important the TTC is to transatlantic cooperation. The prevailing security situation underscores the importance of joint solutions that pave the way for the green and digital transitions and strengthen our friendship. If we can create common standards and solutions for AI, 6G and green technologies, we will lay the foundations for increased trade, enhanced competitiveness and more green jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. Challenges are best solved when we act together,” says Swedish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.
The programme included a site visit to the Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology (HYBRIT) plant outside of Luleå, a project aimed at revolutionising the iron and steel industries by producing fossil-free steel.
Other parts of the programme included a CEO-level discussion on global connectivity infrastructure and transatlantic collaboration for the development of 6G, as well as a discussion on the role of social dialogue in accelerating the green and digital transitions.
“The TTC is the most important forum for promoting EU-US trade relations. EU competitiveness is stimulated and strengthened by joint strategies and standards for the green and digital transitions, and developing technologies in AI, cybersecurity and 5G/6G,” says Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell.
The programme concluded with a stakeholder dialogue on AI and the green transition, with participation from the business community and civil society.
“Sweden is a strong proponent of transatlantic cooperation. The US is an indispensable partner for Sweden and Europe, and a key actor for Europe’s economy and prosperity, and its safety, security and defence – not least in light of the current security environment,” says Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström.
This is the TTC
The EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was established in June 2021 and is the main forum for the EU and US to coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic and technology issues. Ministerial meetings have previously been held in Pittsburgh, Paris and Washington DC.
The fourth TTC ministerial meeting
At the fourth TTC ministerial meeting in Luleå, the co-chairs were US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, US Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, Executive Vice-President and EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and Executive Vice-President and Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.
They were hosted by Mr Forssell, Mr Billström and Ms Busch.
At the meeting, the EU and US agreed on:a common roadmap for the development and research of 6G;
strengthened cooperation on trade and investments in the area of new technologies (AI, semiconductors); and
a roadmap to accelerate the green transition through promoting trade in green goods and services – the Transatlantic Initiative on Sustainable Trade (TIST).
Read moreEvent page: European Union-United States Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting01/06/2023 11:00 | Article
A patent reform for increased innovationToday, 1 June, the European Unitary Patent System enters into force. It is a reform described as a flagship for innovation in the EU. With the new system, which goes live during the Swedish Presidency, it will be easier and cheaper for business to protect, defend and question patents in the EU.
Article
1 June 202311:00
A patent reform for increased innovation
Initially, 17 EU Member States are participating in the new system.© EU
Today, 1 June, the European Unitary Patent System enters into force. It is a reform described as a flagship for innovation in the EU. With the new system, which goes live during the Swedish Presidency, it will be easier and cheaper for businesses to protect, defend and question patents in the EU.
The new Unitary Patent System is a two-part package. The first part means that patent holders with a single request at the European Patent Organisation (EPO) get patent protection in almost the entire EU at a significantly lower cost and less administrative burden than before. Until this day, patent holders have been required to pay annual fees to national patent offices in the Member States where they want to protect their patents.
The second part is the establishment of a unified patent court, where disputes concerning infringement and invalidity of patents can be litigated. This will provide a faster and uniform procedure with judgements having legal effect in all participating EU Member States. Previously, the only route for patent litigation has been to refer cases to national courts.
”Under the new system, it will be easier and cheaper to reliably protect and enforce patents in the EU. This is a welcome injection for innovation and competitiveness in the EU,” says Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer.
The Unitary Patent System enters into force during the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU. A general approach on the main features of setting up a Unitary Patent System was reached after many years of intense discussions during the last Swedish Presidency in 2009. At the end of 2012, the instruments laying the groundwork for the system were in place and Sweden has since led and driven the work, including as the chair of the committee responsible for preparing the court.
“It’s gratifying that the system enters into operation during the Swedish Presidency, particularly given Sweden’s engagement in the project. This illustrates the significance of proactive work to strengthen the EU’s single market and improve the preconditions for enterprise, and sometimes it’s good to be patient,” says Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.
To mark the entry into force, the EPO – together with the Swedish Presidency and the Unified Patent Court – will arrange a live stream event, with Mr Strömmer and others participating. The event starts at 15.00 and you can follow it via the link below.
More info
Watch the livestreamPress release:
A new patent system for increased innovation and competitiveness in the EUA Unitary Patent System for almost the entire EU
Initially, 17 EU Member States are participating in the system, but in the future up to 24 Member States can participate. Only Croatia, Poland and Spain are yet to indicate that they will join the system.
| ● Council of the EU | | | 30/05/2023 12:14 | Press release | | | | | The Council today approved its annual report on public access to documents. The report describes trends in the implementation of Regulation 1049/2001 regarding requests for public access to Council documents in 2022 and reviews other related aspects. Legislative activities and transparencyThe report notes that 2022 saw considerable legislative activity. The number of Council negotiating mandates doubled in relation to the previous year, rising from 48 to 97. According to the agreed approach on strengthening legislative transparency, all mandates, the outcome of negotiations with the Parliament and other main documents related to the legislative procedure were made public. Council’s public registerThe report also shows that the Council’s public register included over 480 000 original-language documents on 31 December 2022. Of these documents, almost 72% are public and available for download. Throughout 2022, almost 25 000 original language documents were added to the register, of which around 70% are public and available to download. The Council's public register was consulted more than 385 000 times. Access to documents requestsAnyone can request access to documents listed in the public register and which are not yet public. Access can only be refused based on one of the exceptions provided for in Regulation 1049/2001. These include among others the need to protect the institution's decision-making process and the public interest as regards defence and military matters and international relations. If access is refused at the initial stage, a confirmatory application may be submitted. In 2022, the number of requests for access to Council documents increased considerably (over 30%) compared to 2021. The Council received over 2 700 initial requests for access to documents and 23 confirmatory applications, which required the analysis of around 10 900 documents. As a result of initial and confirmatory requests, access was granted to 79% of the documents requested. Together with partial release, the rate of release amounted to nearly 89%. Types of requestsAccording to the report, the requests for access to documents came mainly from representatives of various civil society and private sector organisations (28%) and from the academic world (25%). The requested documents were related to several policy areas, most notably justice and home affairs (19%), Common Foreign and Security Policy (14 %) and economic and monetary policy (10 %). Annual report on access to documents for 2022 Search in the public register Request a document (online form) Open data regarding access to documents Strengthening legislative transparency (July 2020) |
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 30/05/2023 20:09 | MEETING | | | | | EU agriculture ministers met in Brussels to discuss food safety and food waste aspects of the proposed regulation on packaging and packaging waste, which aims to reduce the amount of packaging waste generated in the EU. They also discussed the market situation for agricultural products with a focus on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the impact of adverse climate conditions on agriculture in southern Europe. |
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 30/05/2023 21:05 | Press release | | | | | The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures against 7 individuals under two distinct sanctions frameworks: a recently established regime targeting persons responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, and the regime addressing the actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. "Moldova is one of the countries most affected by the fallout of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. There are serious, increased and continued attempts to destabilise the country. Today’s listings send an important political signal of the EU’s support to Moldova in the current difficult context. The EU’s stance remains firm: we will continue to crack down on those who destabilise our direct neighbourhood."
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The package is therefore intended to address on the one hand the sensitive internal situation in Moldova, and attempts to destabilise the country, and on the other hand the involvement of some Moldovan nationals in efforts to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine by supporting Russia’s war of aggression. The sanctioned individuals are politicians and businessmen with Moldovan or Russian nationality that have engaged in destabilising activities. Some of them are linked to the “Bank Fraud” case, which resulted in huge losses for the Moldovan budget. Others are linked to efforts orchestrated by the Kremlin to destabilise Moldova through for instance the planning of violent demonstrations, financial misconduct, unauthorised export of capital and support for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) projects. Furthermore, the two listings linked to Ukraine target individuals who provided support to Russian military forces, and cooperated with Russian occupation authorities. All those listed today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. They are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. The efforts to destabilise the Republic of Moldova have noticeably increased since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and represent a direct threat to the stability and security of the external borders of the EU. The EU remains unwavering in its support to Moldova, its resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by external actors. |
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 31/05/2023 00:06 | Press release | | | | | The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on updated rules to help prevent overfishing. The revision of the fisheries control system modernises the way fishing activities are controlled to ensure that EU vessels and those fishing in EU waters follow the rules set out in the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). "Overfishing is not only one of the biggest threats to the marine environment, it also harms the livelihood of the EU’s coastal communities. To prevent it we need a modern and effective fisheries control system that takes advantage of the latest technological developments. Today’s deal brings us a step closer to realising this aim, ensuring that the environmental principles enshrined in the EU’s fisheries policy are put into practice."
Peter Kullgren, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs The agreement updates around 70% of the existing rules for controlling fishing vessels with the aim of making EU fishing more sustainable. The main changes include: - vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and electronic recording: to ensure compliance with the CFP, all fishing vessels will be tracked via a VMS (for certain smaller vessels, these rules will apply as of 2029) and will be required to record their catches via electronic means
- recreational fisheries: recreational fishers catching specific species will need to undergo registration and to record and report their catches via an electronic system
- landing obligation: remote electronic monitoring tools will be used to ensure that unwanted catches are brought to shore
- revision of the sanctioning system: minimum levels of administrative financial penalties will be set for serious infringements of the CFP rules, as an alternative to criminal sanctions; a list of common criteria for some of the listed serious infringements will be agreed at EU level
- improved traceability along the supply chain: it will be easier to trace fresh fishery and aquaculture products (including processed products following a Commission study and a five-year transition phase)
Preventing overfishingThere are also new rules on the margin of tolerance (or error) when estimating catches, which will help avoid misreporting. Data collection on recreational fisheries will also be enhanced. Finally, certain larger vessels will be equipped with a device to measure engine power, to ensure that their fishing capacity remains within the limits set out in the CFP. In general, the new rules will apply two to four years from their adoption. This will leave enough time for the EU’s fishing authorities and other relevant stakeholders to adapt to the new requirements. New rules for imported productsA digital system (known as “CATCH”) will be introduced in the context of the catch certification scheme for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The aim is to ensure that catch certificates and other related documents will be managed in a single, EU-wide digital environment, thus improving the ability of authorities to detect products stemming from IUU fishing. Non-EU countries will be able to produce and validate catch certificates directly in the CATCH digital environment. For fishery products imported into the EU, importers will also need to submit catch certificates via CATCH. Why control fishing activities?The EU is the world’s biggest market for seafood, and fishing plays an important economic, social and cultural role in many EU countries. The CFP sets out principles to help maintain healthy fish stocks in EU waters while also supporting fishing communities. These include quotas to prevent overfishing, restrictions on the engine power of vessels, and obligations to release sensitive species such as sharks back into the water. In order to ensure compliance with these rules, the EU needs a modern, effective and harmonised fisheries control system that makes use of the best available technology. |
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| ● Council of the EU | | | 01/06/2023 16:59 | MEETING | | | | | The Council held a policy debate on the Commission’s proposal regarding the revised directive on driving licences. The ministers also took note of a progress report on the directive to facilitate cross-border exchange of information on road safety-related traffic offences, and discussed the state of play of current legislative files in the field of transport. |
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Council of the EU
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Transport), 1 June 2023
Main results
Ministers responsible for transport met in Luxembourg to discuss the Commission’s proposal for a revised directive on driving licences and take stock of progress on a revised directive aiming at facilitating the cross-border exchange of information on road-safety-related traffic offences.
The presidency also informed ministers about the state of play of the transport components of the ‘Fit for 55’ package and other pending legislative files.
Reform of the driving licences directive
On 1 March 2023, the Commission submitted a proposal for the fourth reform of the driving licences directive as part of the ‘road safety package’ with a view to improving road safety and facilitating the free movement of persons.
The Council held a policy debate with ministers exploring possible ways this piece of legislation could further contribute to increasing road safety in the Union. Ministers expressed their views on the requirement of a health self-assessment before a driving licence is issued or renewed and on whether the Commission’s proposal provides the right elements in terms of digitisation and adaptation to technological development. As regards digital driving licences, ministers expressed their opinions on key elements in their design and implementation, e.g., in relation to EU standards, controllability, phasing-in and gradual replacement of physical licences. The ministerial debate brought good practices applied by member states to the fore, which can be exploited for the ongoing legislative process, and highlighted the basic principles that need to be followed when national experts continue their discussions at the technical level within the Council’s preparatory bodies in the coming months.
Commission’s proposal on the fourth reform of the driving licences directive, policy debate at the TTE Council of 1 June 2023, 12 May 2023Proposal amending the current directive on driving licences, European Commission, 1 March 2023Cross-border exchange of information on traffic offences
The Commission’s proposal to amend the 2015 directive on cross-border exchange of information on road safety-related traffic offences was submitted on 1 March 2023, as part of the road safety ‘package’, aiming to ensure that non-resident drivers respect the rules in other member states.
Ministers took note of the progress report on the work undertaken so far at the Council’s preparatory bodies on this proposed revision. They agreed that this piece of legislation is a helpful tool in enhancing road safety by helping the competent authorities to identify persons responsible for cross-border traffic offences. However, the ministerial debate showed that more work is needed within the Council in the coming months with a view to reaching a good outcome on this legislative proposal.
Proposal for a directive facilitating cross-border exchange of information on road-safety-related traffic offences, progress report for the TTE Council of 1 June 2023, 12 May 2023Directive facilitating cross-border exchange of information on road-safety-related traffic offences, Commission’s proposal, 1 March 2023Any other business
Fit for 55 package
The presidency informed ministers on the state of play of the transport components of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, namely:the regulation on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport (FuelEU maritime initiative)
FuelEU maritime initiative, text of the provisional agreement, 19 April 2023the regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR)
Alternative fuel infrastructure, text of the provisional agreement, 19 April 2023the regulation on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport (ReFuelEU aviation initiative)
ReFuelEU aviation initiative (press release, 25 April 2023)Current legislative proposals
The presidency informed the Council on the state of play of the following pending legislative proposals:the regulations on Singe European Sky 2+ (SES2+ package)
SES2+, Council’s general approach – report to the Council, 3 June 2021the revision of the directive on the framework for the deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS)
Council’s general approach, 2 June 2022the revision of the regulation on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T)
Council’s general approach, 5 December 2022the directive on the Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications
Directive on the Union-wide effect of driving disqualifications, Commission proposal, 1 March 2023Other topics
Ukraine
The Commission informed ministers on the developments in the transport area in response to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine with a focus on the solidarity lanes initiative and specific transport sanctions against Russia.
Aviation
The Commission provided possible guidance on preparations for the summer air travel season, such as coordination of air navigation service providers and measures to limit disturbances linked to industrial actions, to prevent congestion and delays for passengers.
The Austrian, French, Irish and Netherlands delegations addressed the environmental impact of private jet travel at EU level.
Land transport
The Czech delegation informed the Council on the upcoming congress of the world road association (PIARC) due to take place in Prague from 2 to 6 October 2023.
The Bulgarian, Czech, French, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Romanian and Slovak delegations addressed the new EURO 7 vehicle emission standards and their impact on mobility in the EU.
The German and Italian delegations addressed the issue of the free movement of goods along the Brenner motorway.
The Austrian and Netherlands delegations presented the third progress report of the platform on international rail passenger transport (IRP).
3rd progress report on IRP – Information noteShipping
The Finnish delegation presented the Finnish candidature for the post of Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Presidency’s work programme
The Spanish delegation presented its priorities and work programme for the second half of 2023.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of non-legislative A items.
Informal lunch
Over an informal lunch, ministers exchanged views on possible measures for more efficient and environmentally friendly freight transport. Ministers discussed the most important measures and challenges in achieving this objective in Europe in the coming years. The debate showed that special attention should be paid to aviation and maritime transport, as these are, for the time being, still the most difficult sectors to decarbonise, given their global nature, the role of international regulations, long investment cycles and long lifetimes of the assets. Ministers also noted the importance of coordinating public and private investments and explored possible ways in further improving the energy efficiency when transporting goods. Finally, ministers highlighted that member states should also consider the overall industrial policy, including possibilities to increase production capacity in Europe, hence reducing the need and dependency on imports and long transport routes.
Meeting information
Meeting n°3954
Luxembourg
1 June 2023
Preparatory documents
List of A items, non-legislative activitiesProvisional agendaBackground briefOutcome documents
List of participants
| ● Council of the EU | | | 30/05/2023 18:06 | MEETING | | | | | The Council started preparations for the June European Council and held hearings with Poland and Hungary under the respective Article 7 procedures. |
Council of the EU
General Affairs Council, 30 May 2023
Main results
June European Council
The Council started preparations for the European Council meeting on 29-30 June 2023 by discussing an annotated draft agenda.
At their meeting in June, EU leaders will focus on:Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
economic issues
cooperation in the field of security and defence
China and the upcoming EU-CELAC summit
Leaders will also receive information on progress in the implementation of the recent European Council conclusions on migration and on the process towards the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029.Annotated draft agenda
Article 7 proceedings
As part of the Article 7(1) TEU procedure, the Council held two hearings, concerning rule of law in Poland and respect for the EU values in Hungary.
This was the sixth hearing for both member states, covering all the issues raised in the respective reasoned proposals, which triggered the procedure.
The aim of the hearings was to update the Council on the developments on the ground.
The Article 7 procedures regarding Poland and Hungary are continuing. Hearings are a useful tool in this process. They allow member states to get a detailed picture of the reforms undertaken by the respective governments, the implementation process and the issues that still need to be addressed.Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of SwedenReasoned proposal regarding rule of law in Poland
Reasoned proposal regarding respect for the EU values in Hungary
Interim report of the European Parliament
The Council also approved the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items without discussion.
EU-UK relations
Regarding EU-UK relations, the Council adopted three regulations aimed at implementing the Windsor Framework, which was politically agreed between the Commission and the UK government on 27 February 2023 to address, in a definitive manner, the challenges concerning Northern Ireland following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
The new rules will make it considerably easier to move a range of goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland if they are destined for final consumption there. At the same time, safeguards will be put in place to prevent such goods from entering the EU’s single market and to ensure the protection of public, animal and plant health, as well as consumer interests in the EU.
The EU is delivering on its promise to swiftly implement the agreed joint solutions, which respond to the everyday needs of people and businesses in Northern Ireland, for which the EU has always had understanding. It is important to continue work to make them fully operational, as well as to ensure the EU single market is protected.Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of SwedenEU-UK relations: EU takes further steps to implement the Windsor Framework (press release, 30 May 2023)
Access to documents
The Council approved its annual report on public access to documents. The report describes trends in the implementation of Regulation 1049/2001 regarding requests for public access to Council documents in 2022 and reviews other related aspects.Public access to Council documents: 2022 report (press release, 30 May 2023)
Macro-financial assistance to Moldova
The EU continues to support Moldova, also financially.
The Council decided to nearly double the amount of macro-financial assistance to Moldova which it had agreed to provide a year ago, from €150 million to a total of €295 million.Council nearly doubles the EU’s financial assistance to Moldova to a total of €295 million (press release, 30 May 2023)
Restrictive measures
The Council imposed restrictive measures against 7 individuals under two distinct sanctions frameworks: a recently established regime targeting persons responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, and the regime addressing the actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.Republic of Moldova: 7 individuals listed - for their destabilising actions and for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine (press release, 30 May 2023)
Meeting information
Meeting n°3953
Brussels
30 May 2023
Preparatory documentsProvisional agenda
List of A items, legislative deliberations
List of A items, non-legislative activities
List of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
Background brief
Outcome documentsVideo footage
List of participants
Meeting voting results
| ● Council of the EU | | | 30/05/2023 10:35 | Press release | | | | | The EU is continuing to put in place the Windsor Framework, which was politically agreed between the Commission and the UK government on 27 February 2023 to address, in a definitive manner, the challenges concerning Northern Ireland following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Council today adopted three regulations aimed at implementing the joint solutions agreed with the UK regarding public, animal and plant health issues, medicines and certain steel products. The new rules will make it considerably easier to move a range of goods from Great Britain into Northern Ireland if they are destined for final consumption there. At the same time, safeguards will be put in place to prevent such goods from entering the EU’s single market and to ensure the protection of public, animal and plant health, as well as consumer interests in the EU. The three regulations were agreed between the Council and the European Parliament through a fast-track procedure. "The EU is delivering on its promise to swiftly implement the agreed joint solutions, which respond to the everyday needs of people and businesses in Northern Ireland, for which the EU has always had understanding. It is important to continue work to make them fully operational, as well as to ensure the EU single market is protected."
Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden Agri-food, plants and petsIn practice, the new rules regarding sanitary and phytosanitary measures, which protect animal, public and plant health, will make it possible to move agri-food retail products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland for end consumption there with minimal certification requirements and controls, once the agreed safeguards have been put in place. These safeguards include sanitary and phytosanitary inspection facilities and “Not for EU” labelling, which will be introduced gradually by 1 July 2025. The movement of certain plants for planting, based on a special plant health label, will become easier, as will the movement of agricultural machinery. The ban on seed potatoes will be removed. Travelling with pets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will become possible with a simple pet travel document, a microchip, and a declaration by the owner that the pet will not travel to the EU. MedicinesAnother set of new rules will ensure that all medicines, including novel medicines, will be available in Northern Ireland at the same time as in the rest of the UK. They will be put on the market in accordance with UK rules and authorisation procedures. This complements the solution the EU adopted in April 2022 for the supply of generic medicines to Northern Ireland. These new arrangements are accompanied by new safeguards, including labelling (“UK only”), to ensure that the medicines do not enter the EU's single market. Steel productsThe third new piece of legislation will make it possible to transfer certain categories of steel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the EU's tariff rate quotas. Northern Ireland companies will thus no longer need to pay the 25% tariff linked to the EU safeguard measures currently in place for steel imports into the EU, which will make the transfer economically viable for them again. Again, these additional transfers are mirrored by appropriate safeguards. Next stepsThe three regulations will enter into force after their publication in the Official Journal. They will be complemented by a set of implementing acts to be adopted by the Commission. As regards sanitary and phytosanitary measures and medicines, the new arrangements will start to apply gradually once the EU has received appropriate written guarantees from the UK about the implementation of the agreed safeguards. Regulation on sanitary and phytosanitary measures on certain retail goods, plants, seed potatoes, agricultural machinery and pet animals moving into Northern Ireland Regulation of the medicinal products for human use to be placed on the market in Northern Ireland Regulation on Tariff Rate Quotas on certain products transferred to Northern Ireland New way forward on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Council greenlights main elements of the Windsor Framework (press release, 21 March 2023) The Windsor Framework (European Commission, 27 February 2023) EU relations with the United Kingdom (background information) |
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