EN    EN  
 EUROPEAN  
COMMISSION 
Brussels, 26.6.2015  
COM(2015) 217 final 
2015/0111 (NLE) 
  
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the position on D ecision No 1/2015 to be taken on be half of the European Union by 
the Joint Veterinary Committee set up by the Agreement between the European 
Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products regarding 
the amendment of Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 of Annex 11 to the Agreement
 
EN 2   EN EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
1. CONTEXT  OF THE  PROPOSAL 
The Agreement between the European Co mmunity and the Swiss Confederation on 
trade in agricultural products (hereinafter: "the Agriculture Agreement") entered into 
force on 1 June 2002. 
A number of legislative provisions have been amended or updated since the last 
amendment to the appendices of Anne x 11 to the Agricultural Agreement. 
In line with the provisions of the Agreem ent, Switzerland has submitted to the Joint 
Veterinary Committee a plan setting out the measures it intends to implement for the 
approval of its poultry and hatching egg production establishments. The Agreement 
provides that the Joint Veterinary Committ ee is competent to approve this plan. 
Until 31 December 2014, Switzerland has the po ssibility of derogating from the 
Trichinella examination of car casses and meat of domestic  swine kept for fattening 
and slaughter in low-capaci ty slaughter establishments. However, as the EU 
legislation on Trichinella examination has recently been amended, Switzerland's 
derogation should be re-examined in order to  allow a gradual adaptation of its current 
practices. 
Since its entry into force, the legislative provisions of Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 
and 10 of Annex 11 to the Agriculture  Agreement have been amended. The 
addresses of the contact points in  Appendix 11 have also changed. 
It is therefore necessary to adapt the provisions of Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 
and 11 of Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement accordingly. 
Article 19(1) of Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement sets up a Joint Veterinary 
Committee made up of representa tives of the Parties. It is  responsible for examining 
all questions relating to the said Annex and its implementation and for carrying out 
the tasks provided for therein. The Joint Veterinary Committee is empowered to 
adopt decisions in the cases provided for in Annex 11. Article 19(3) of Annex 11 to 
the Agriculture Agreement authorises the Joint Veterinary Committee to amend the 
Appendices thereto, in part icular with a view to adapting and updating them. 
The European Union must adopt the position it is to take in the Joint Veterinary 
Committee regarding necessary amendm ents to Annex 11. Under the first 
subparagraph of Article 5( 2) of Decision 2002/309/EC, the European Union’s 
position must be adopted by the Counc il on a proposal from the Commission. 
Decision No 1/2015 of the Joint Veterina ry Committee will be published in the 
Official Journal of the European Union.  
2. LEGAL  ELEMENTS  OF THE  PROPOSAL 
The proposal is based on Article 207(4) of  the Treaty on the Functioning of the 
European Union, in conjunction with Article 218(9). 
EN 3   EN 2015/0111 (NLE) 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the position on Decision No 1/2015 to be taken on behalf of the European Union by 
the Joint Veterinary Committee set up by  the Agreement between the European 
Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products regarding 
the amendment of Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 of Annex 11 to the Agreement 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular 
Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 
Whereas: (1) The Agreement between the European Community and the Sw iss Confederation on 
trade in agricultural products
1 (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement”) entered into 
force on 1 June 2002. 
(2) Under Article 19(1) of Annex 11 to the Agriculture Agreement, the Joint Veterinary 
Committee is responsible for considering a ny matter arising in connection with the 
said Annex and its implementation, and for carrying out the tasks provided for therein. Article 19(3) of that Annex authorises th e Joint Veterinary Committee to amend the 
Appendices to Annex 11, in particular with  a view to their adaptation and updating. 
(3) The first subparagraph of Article 5(2) of Decision 2002/309/EC, of the Council and of 
the Commission
2 provides that the Community position within the Joint Committee 
for Agriculture and the Joint Veterinary Committee should be a dopted by the Council 
on a proposal from the Commission. 
(4) The European Union must adopt the position it is to take within the Joint Veterinary 
Committee regarding the necessary amendments. 
(5) Decision No 1/2015 of the Joint Veterina ry Committee should enter into force on the 
day of its adoption. 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 
The position to be adopted by the European Un ion within the Joint Veterinary Committee set 
up by Article 19(1) of Annex 11 to the Agreem ent between the European Community and the 
Swiss Confederation on trade in agricult ural products regarding the amendment of 
                                                 
1 OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 132. 
2 2002/309/EC, Euratom: Decision of the Council, and of the Commission as re gards the Agreement on 
Scientific and Technological Cooperation, of 4 April 2002 on the conclusion of seven Agreements with 
the Swiss Confederation (OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 1). 
EN 4   EN Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 of Annex 11 shall be based on the draft Decision of 
the Joint Veterinary Committ ee annexed to this Decision. 
Article 2 
Decision No 1/2015 of the Joint Veterinary Committee set up by the Agreement between the 
European Community and the Swiss Confederati on on trade in agricultural products regarding 
the amendment of Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 and 11 of Annex 11 to the Agreement will 
be published in the Official Journal of the Eu ropean Union as soon as it has been adopted. 
Article 3 
Decision No 1/2015 of the Joint Veterinary Co mmittee created by an Agreement between the 
European Community and the Swiss Confedera tion on trade in agricultural products shall 
enter into force on the day of its adoption. 
Article 4 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 
 For the Council 
 The President