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DRAFT RECOMMENDATION (06518/2021 – C100024/2026 – 2021/0042(NLE))

On the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union

INTA-PR-785251

Committee on International Trade · Rapporteur: Saskia Bricmont

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This draft report recommends that Parliament consent to the Council decision concluding an EU-Pakistan agreement adjusting tariff-rate quotas after the UK's EU withdrawal. The agreement splits existing EU28 quota volumes between the EU27 and UK, based on 2013-2015 trade flows, and recognizes Pakistan's negotiating rights on husked rice.

Committee position. The rapporteur recommends that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

Key points

  1. Parliament is asked to give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement with Pakistan.
  2. The agreement modifies tariff-rate quotas in the EU Schedule CLXXV due to the UK's withdrawal, maintaining total volumes but splitting them between EU27 and UK.
  3. The apportionment is based on trade flows from 2013 to 2015, as detailed in Regulation (EU) 2019/216.
  4. Pakistan has negotiating rights for one tariff-rate quota (husked rice, tariff item 1006 20) and consultation rights for five others.
  5. The EU explicitly recognizes Pakistan's initial negotiating rights on husked rice under GATT Article XXVIII.
  6. The agreement was initialled on 25 January 2021 and signed on 3 February 2026, with the Council referral arriving on 5 February 2026.

Who is affected

  • The European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as parties to the agreement.
  • EU and UK agricultural, fish and industrial sectors affected by tariff-rate quota changes.
  • Pakistan's rice exporters, particularly for husked rice under tariff item 1006 20.

Figures and deadlines

  • 143 EU agricultural, fish and industrial WTO tariff rate quotas are apportioned.
  • Reference period of 3 years from 2013 to 2015 used for trade flows.
  • Agreement initialled on 25 January 2021 and signed on 3 February 2026.

Legal basis: Article 207(4) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union