authorising the opening of negotiations on agreements on trade in organic products between the European Union and Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Tunisia and the United States of America

The only available instrument to achieve the objective is an international agreement. An authorisation to open negotiations over an international agreement is therefore required.

According to Article 5(3) of the TEU, the subsidiarity principle does not apply in areas of exclusive EU competence.

Article 218(3) and (4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) shall be indicated as legal basis for this proposal.

By fostering trade on organic products through bilateral agreements, the proposal contributes to the general objective of “a stronger EU in the world”. In addition, by encouraging trade on organics, these agreements will also contribute to the Green Deal objective to work with international partners to improve global environmental standards.

By fostering trade on organic products through bilateral agreements, the proposal contributes to the general objective of “a stronger EU in the world”.

In order to ensure the continuity of trade flows on organics with those partners after 2026, it is necessary to negotiate new equivalence recognitions in the form of trade agreements.

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 establishes the possibility to grant access to Union market for organic products coming from third countries whose organic production and control systems have been recognised as equivalent to those of the Union. This recognition of equivalence of third countries should be granted through trade agreements between the Union and those countries.

The recommendation is consistent with the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

An impact assessment took place in the context of the reform of the organic regulation leading to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on which this proposal is based.

A considerable number of stakeholder consultations have taken place in the context of the reform of the organic regulation. Several meetings and Civil Society Dialogue meetings have been organised at that time.

•Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal

This proposal authorises the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the Union, agreements on trade in organic products with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Tunisia and the United States of America. The proposal establishes in its annex the negotiating directives to be followed by the Commission and the special committee to be consulted during the negotiation.

Recommendation for a

COUNCIL DECISION

authorising the opening of negotiations on agreements on trade in organic products between the European Union and Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Tunisia and the United States of America

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 218(3) and (4) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)Article 45(1)(b)(ii) of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and the Council, read in conjunction with Article 47 of that Regulation, establishes the possibility to grant access to the Union market for organic products coming from third countries that have been recognised under a trade agreement as having a system of production meeting the same objectives and principles by applying rules which ensure the same level of assurance of conformity as those of the Union.

(2)In accordance with Article 48 of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2020/1693 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the recognition for the purposes of equivalence of third countries on the basis of Article 33(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 will expire on 31 December 2026. Therefore, it is necessary to open negotiations with a view to concluding the relevant agreements with the third countries concerned.

(3)The trade in organic products between the Union and Switzerland is covered by the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agriculture products. Switzerland was included in Annex III to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 for transparency reasons. Annex 9 to that Agreement provides for a mechanism to update the agreement in case of changes to the laws and regulations of one of the parties. It is therefore not necessary to open negotiations with Switzerland.

(4)Chile is recognised as an equivalent third country by means of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Chile on trade in organic products. Chile was included in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 for clarity reasons. Articles 3 and 4 of that Agreement provide for the possibility to adapt the recognition in case of changes to the laws and regulations of one of the parties. It is therefore not necessary to open negotiations with Chile.

(5)The Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, on the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the other part, established a reciprocal recognition of equivalence of the current organic legislation and control system of both parties to the Agreement. Article 3(3) of Annex TBT-4 on organic products provides that in view of the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on 1 January 2022, the equivalency recognition is to be reassessed by each Party by 31 December 2023. It is therefore not necessary to open negotiations with the United Kingdom.

(6)Therefore, it is appropriate to authorise the Commission to open negotiations with a view to concluding the relevant agreements with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Tunisia and the United States of America.

(7)In order to enable the Union to pursue reciprocal relations with third countries concerning trade in organic products, it is appropriate to set out negotiating directives for agreements allowing the Union and the third country concerned to acknowledge the equivalence of their organic production standards and control systems,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Commission is hereby authorised to negotiate, on behalf of the Union, agreements on trade in organic products with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Tunisia and the United States of America.