Sittings · Document
OPINION (2024/2108(INI)) 2025-07-03
On the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Sander Smit
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety submits the following to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on International Trade, as the committees responsible:
Amendment 1
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the joint statement by the leaders of the EU and the UK on 19 May 2025 at the EU-UK Summit 2025, |
Amendment 2
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| – having regard to the Commission statement of 19 May 2025 entitled ‘A renewed agenda for European Union – United Kingdom cooperation Common Understanding’, |
Amendment 3
Motion for a resolution
Recital R a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Ra. whereas the EU and the UK share common ambitions in the fields of environmental protection, climate and food safety; whereas widening regulatory divergence in these areas risks disrupting trade and undermining the effectiveness of environmental and climate efforts, particularly in the context of Northern Ireland and Ireland; whereas the UK Government, in 2024, called for a ‘reset’ to EU-UK relations, in order to strengthen strategic cooperation and regulatory alignment in response to shared challenges and mutual priorities; |
Amendment 4
Motion for a resolution
Recital R b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Rb. whereas the Commission and the UK, in the context of the EU-UK Summit 2025, have explored areas with the potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation, and have committed to work towards the establishment of a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, by way of an SPS Agreement, to facilitate agri-food trade; whereas the EU and the UK have also committed to work towards linking their respective emissions trading systems (ETSs) and carbon border adjustment mechanisms; |
Amendment 5
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Environment and climate | Environment |
Amendment 6
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25a. Highlights the increasing risk of EU-UK regulatory divergence in environmental policy, potentially causing economic disruption and undermining environmental objectives; recognises the shared geopolitical challenges and environmental ambitions of the EU and the UK; encourages further strategic cooperation and alignment in the fields of the environment, nature conservation and biodiversity; |
Amendment 7
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25b. Stresses that the island of Ireland is a single ecological unit; recalls that UK environmental policies impact the environment on the entire island of Ireland and therefore also the achievement of the EU’s environmental protection goals; emphasises the need for increased cooperation on environmental issues through the institutions established under the Good Friday Agreement; |
Amendment 8
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25c. Reiterates the calls for closer bilateral collaboration in the area of chemicals regulation1a; recommends seeking input from the UK Government, and the relevant devolved administrations, regarding the upcoming revision of the REACH Regulation1b, in order to promote cooperation and regulatory convergence so as to facilitate safe and legally predictable cross-border trade in chemicals, while maintaining a high level of environmental protection; | |
| __________________ | |
| 1a UK Government and European Commission, ‘Third Meeting of the Trade Partnership Committee under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement – Joint Minutes’, 7 December 2023, London and virtual format (UK host); joint statement by the EU and UK Domestic Advisory Groups to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 19 September 2024. 1b Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC (OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2006/1907/oj). |
Amendment 9
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 d(new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25d. Stresses the unique situation of the territory of Gibraltar; calls for the establishment of a specific common EU-UK framework to coordinate environmental regulations, health standards, monitoring and joint management plans, in this regard; |
Amendment 10
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25e. Welcomes the UK’s recognition of the CE marking, regarding eco-design requirements on energy-related products and restrictions on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment; welcomes the fact that this facilitates continued trade between the UK and the EU, while reducing compliance burdens for manufacturers; |
Amendment 11
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 f (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25f. Calls for a strengthened role for economic and civil society stakeholders in the implementation, monitoring and advisory processes related to trade and sustainable development commitments under the EU-UK TCA, in line with the joint statement of the EU and UK Domestic Advisory Groups of 19 September 2024; |
Amendment 12
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 g(new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25g. Recalls the EU and UK’s TCA commitment to maintaining high levels of environmental protection in the areas of waste prevention, waste management and the circular economy; stresses the need for both parties to better plan and coordinate, in order to adapt their waste management infrastructure and to ensure sufficient capacity for recycling, repair, remanufacturing and waste treatment in accordance with the waste hierarchy, and to promote solutions to reduce and address residual waste streams; |
Amendment 13
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 h (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25h. Stresses the importance of close EU-UK coordination on the potential inclusion of the waste sector in the EU ETS, to ensure regulatory alignment, prevent carbon leakage and maintain fair competition across borders; |
Amendment 14
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 i (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25i. Recognises that offshore industrial activities and large-scale sustainable energy projects, such as offshore wind farms, may conflict with the conservation objectives of Natura 2000 sites and marine protected areas, and may also have adverse impacts on seabeds and fishing grounds; underlines the need for a careful balance between environmental goals, sustainable fisheries and renewable energy generation; |
Amendment 15
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 j (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25j. Notes that in the UK, biodiversity and climate-related schemes are being phased in to replace direct support for farmers; calls for an EU-UK exchange on sustainable agricultural practices that promote biodiversity and climate change mitigation, and ensure food security and supply chain stability; |
Amendment 16
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| Climate |
Amendment 17
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 k (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25k. Notes that the EU and the UK share common ambitions in the field of climate change mitigation; calls for better alignment of climate policies to provide consistency and to avoid conflicting or overlapping measures, which risk undermining the effectiveness of climate action; encourages the exchange of best practices on climate adaptation and preparedness, particularly regarding the health impacts of rising temperatures on vulnerable groups, such as low-income communities; |
Amendment 18
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 l (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25l. Notes the shared objective set out in the Commission statement of 19 May 2025 to establish a formal EU-UK carbon market agreement, linking the UK and EU ETS systems; urges both parties to quickly conclude this agreement, to avoid double carbon costs for companies; echoes the joint position of the Commission and the UK that such an agreement must be clearly and consistently aligned with the rules and principles of the Windsor Framework; |
Amendment 19
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 m (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25m. Notes that, without timely alignment of the UK and EU ETS, UK exports to the EU will be subject to the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) from January 2026; recalls the commitment by the EU and the UK to create the conditions for goods originating in their respective jurisdictions to benefit from mutual exemptions from their respective CBAM systems; stresses that these exemptions should be operational as soon as legally possible to avoid trade disruption; |
Amendment 20
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 n (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25n. Underlines the need to strengthen the bilateral partnership between the EU and the UK to enhance cooperation on renewable energy development, energy security and supply chain resilience; calls for stronger EU-UK dialogue and joint research on carbon-neutral energy to address shared challenges and drive innovation in reducing carbon emissions; |
Amendment 21
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 o (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 25o. Notes the joint intention of the EU and the UK to continue technical regulatory exchanges on new energy technologies, including carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen and biomethane, as outlined in the Commission statement of 19 May 2025; encourages EU-UK cooperation to improve SME access to green technologies and climate-resilient infrastructure, ensuring that small businesses can contribute effectively to, and benefit from, the transition towards green technology; |
Amendment 22
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 26a. Welcomes the fact that the EU and the UK have expressed their intention to work towards a comprehensive SPS Agreement, including UK access to relevant EU agencies, systems and databases in the areas covered by the future SPS Agreement; underlines the importance of reducing barriers and unnecessary regulatory burden regarding agri-food trade, especially for small-scale producers and family farms; stresses that any such agreement must maintain high levels of food safety; animal welfare, and consumer and environmental protection; |
Amendment 23
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 26b. Calls on the Commission to launch negotiations on the SPS Agreement without delay; highlights the need to coordinate maximum residue levels for pesticides in order to safeguard human health and facilitate agri-food trade; underlines the importance of concluding a veterinary agreement to ensure animal health, prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks and combat antimicrobial resistance, especially in the light of recent outbreaks of this kind and the resulting trade restrictions; |
Amendment 24
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 26c. Notes the diverging thresholds and restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) between the EU and the UK; calls for closer cooperation between the European Food Safety Authority, the European Chemicals Agency and the competent UK authorities regarding the monitoring and risk assessment of PFAS; recommends enhancing EU-UK scientific dialogue on the limits of these substances in food and feed, in order to safeguard public health while upholding high standards of food safety; |
Amendment 25
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 26d. Takes note of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act, which entered into force in England on 23 March 2023, revising the rules for the release, marketing, and risk assessment of plants and animals developed through gene editing and precision breeding; expresses concern about regulatory divergence uncertainty regarding the legal status and movement of such products between Northern Ireland and the EU; stresses the need to prevent incorrectly labelled products from entering the EU food chain; |
Amendment 26
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 e (new)
| Motion for a resolution | Amendment |
| 26e. Welcomes the pragmatic agreement reached on an arbitration-based dispute resolution mechanism that respects both the constitutional and parliamentary procedures of the UK and the role of the Court of Justice of the EU as the ultimate authority on the interpretation of EU law; welcomes, furthermore, the intention to involve the UK at an early stage in the EU’s decision-making processes in areas covered by the future SPS Agreement; |
ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR FOR OPINION HAS RECEIVED INPUT
The rapporteur for opinion declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
INFORMATION ON ADOPTION BY THE COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION
| Date adopted | 3.7.2025 | |
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 61 13 2 |
| Members present for the final vote | Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Pascal Arimont, Bartosz Arłukowicz, Sakis Arnaoutoglou, Anja Arndt, Thomas Bajada, Barbara Bonte, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Pascal Canfin, Laurent Castillo, Mohammed Chahim, Christophe Clergeau, Annalisa Corrado, Antonio Decaro, Ondřej Dostál, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Andreas Glück, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Esther Herranz García, Ewa Kopacz, András Tivadar Kulja, Katri Kulmuni, Peter Liese, César Luena, Catarina Martins, Dolors Montserrat, Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, Jacek Ozdoba, Michele Picaro, Jessica Polfjärd, Carola Rackete, Oliver Schenk, Jonas Sjöstedt, Sander Smit, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Beatrice Timgren, Flavio Tosi, Dimitris Tsiodras, Ana Vasconcelos, Aurelijus Veryga, Kristian Vigenin, Michal Wiezik, Anna Zalewska | |
| Substitutes present for the final vote | Li Andersson, Daniel Buda, Stefano Cavedagna, Susanna Ceccardi, Carmen Crespo Díaz, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Geadis Geadi, Nicolás González Casares, Nora Junco García, Billy Kelleher, Seán Kelly, Norbert Lins, Victor Negrescu, Valentina Palmisano, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Elena Sancho Murillo, Sebastiaan Stöteler, Anna Stürgkh, Bruno Tobback, Laurence Trochu, Roberto Vannacci, Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik | |
| Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote | Barry Cowen, Elisabeth Dieringer, Mélanie Disdier, Evin Incir, Liudas Mažylis, Aleksandar Nikolic, Volker Schnurrbusch, Petra Steger, Matej Tonin, Ivaylo Valchev, Lucia Yar |