EU/Switzerland and Liechtenstein agreement: trade in agricultural products (amend. Additional EC/Switzerland/Liechtenstein Agreement)

PURPOSE: the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union, Switzerland and Liechtenstein with a view to extending to Liechtenstein the agreement between the European Community and Switzerland on trade in agricultural products.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the agreement between the European Community and Switzerland on trade in agricultural products entered into force on 1 June 2002. A further agreement concluded between the European Community, Switzerland and Liechtenstein with a view to extending to Liechtenstein the agreement between the EC and Switzerland came into force on 13 October 2007.

The Commission negotiated on behalf of the European Union, an agreement between the European Union and Switzerland concerning the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs that amended the Agricultural Agreement by adding Annex 12.

The European Union, Liechtenstein and Switzerland agreed that the Additional Agreement should also be amended in order to take into account the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications.

It is therefore appropriate now to conclude the agreement between the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement, on behalf of the EU.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 207(4), first subparagraph, of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) thereof.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the agreement between the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein amends the Additional Agreement concluded between the European Community, Switzerland and Liechtenstein with the purpose of extending the agreement between the EC and Switzerland on trade in agricultural products is approved.

The text of the agreement is attached to the proposed decision.

For further information regarding the content of this agreement, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 10/11/2010.

BUDGETARY IMPACT: the proposal has no impact on the EU’s budget.