on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (‘Helsinki Convention’) on the Adoption of a Recommendation for Amending Annex III Part II of that Convention

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.Subject matter of the proposal

This proposal concerns the decision establishing the position to be taken on the Union's behalf in the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission in connection with the envisaged adoption of a Recommendation for amending Annex III Part II of the Helsinki Convention

2.Context of the proposal

2.1.The Helsinki Convention

The Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (‘the Convention’) aims to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution, from industrialisation and other human activities. It entered into force on 3 May 1980. The Convention was amended in 1992.

The European Union is a party to the Convention.

2.2.The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM)

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission - also known as the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) – is made up of representatives of each of the 10 Contracting Parties to the Convention. It meets at regular intervals, and at any time due to special circumstances. Its duties include supervising the implementation of the Convention and reviewing the condition of the maritime area, the effectiveness of the measures being adopted, the priorities and the need for any additional or different measures.

According to Article 23 of the Convention, each Contracting Party has one vote in the Commission. The EU is entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of its Member States, which are Contracting Parties to the Convention. The EU shall not exercise its right to vote when its Member States exercise theirs and conversely.

According to Article 19(5) of the Convention, the Commission shall take its decisions by unanimous vote of the Contracting Parties, unless otherwise provided.

2.3.The envisaged act of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission

On 20 October 2021, during the 2021 HELCOM Ministerial Meeting, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission is to adopt a Recommendation for amending Annex III Part II of the Helsinki Convention (‘the envisaged act’).

The purpose of the amendment is to modernise the requirements of Annex III Part II of the Convention, by including recent developments in scientific knowledge on good agricultural practices and a new glossary of terms, taking into account the existing EU legislation, and to add a new paragraph on nutrient recycling based on the outcomes of Brussels 2018 Ministerial Meeting of the Commission held under EU chairmanship.

The adoption of the envisaged act opens the tacit acceptance procedure of Article 32 of the Convention in order to amend Annex III Part II of that Convention. The amendment of the Annex III Part II of the Convention will be binding on the Union.

3.Position to be taken on the Union's behalf

The need for protection of marine biodiversity and ecosystems in the Baltic Sea, including in the maritime areas beyond national jurisdiction, has been repeatedly recognised.

The amendment of Annex III, Part II, of the Helsinki Convention on “Prevention of Pollution from Agriculture” aims at modernising the Convention’s requirements. In particular, item 3 on manure storage and item 6 on application of organic manures were adapted to include recent developments in scientific knowledge on good agricultural practices. Moreover, a new paragraph on nutrient recycling is introduced to reflect the commitments made in this regard at the HELCOM 2018 Declaration under EU Chairmanship, as well as a new glossary of terms, taking into account the existing EU legislation.

In view of the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in October 2021, a Union position is necessary because the envisaged Recommendation opens the tacit acceptance procedure of Article 32 of the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area in order to amend Annex III Part II of that Convention. The amendment of the Annex III Part II of the Convention will be binding on the Union. Since the amendment of the Annex will modernise requirements regarding the protection of the Baltic Sea, modify EU international commitments and ambitions and improve the protection of the environment, it is proposed that the Union supports the adoption of the Recommendation.