21 March 2023: Joint minutes of the first Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures meeting
Updated 6 November 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-norway-iceland-and-liechtenstein-committee-documents/21-march-2023-joint-minutes-of-the-first-committee-on-sanitary-and-phytosanitary-measures-meeting
Joint minutes of the first meeting of the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures under the free trade agreement between the United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
The first meeting took place on the 21 March 2023 in London.
The UK participants from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Food Standards Agency, and participants from Norway and Iceland had a fruitful exchange of views on matters related to implementation of the SPS Chapter.
1. Opening remarks
All parties noted current collaboration and the importance of the relationships between the countries.
2. Approval and adoption of the agenda and Rules of Procedure
All parties approved the agenda and agreed to follow the Rules of Procedure for the UK-EEA/EFTA Joint Committee mutatis mutandis based on mutual understanding.
3. Organisational structure and distribution of responsibilities between Competent Authorities in the field of SPS measures
All parties provided information on their organisational structures and management of SPS issues.
4. Update on the Target Operating Model (TOM) and requirements for health certificates on seafood.
The UK provided an update on the draft Borders Target Operating Model (TOM). When published, the UK would provide more detail on the timeline and implementation. To note: the ‘Border Target Operating Model: Draft’ consultation document was published on 5 April 2023.
Norway and Iceland highlighted the interest from businesses in the TOM. Further discussion and consultation could be provided following publication of the draft TOM.
The UK provided additional information on health certificates for seafood, indicating that certification was under review. Further discussion could follow publication of the draft TOM.
5. Update on e-certification
Once published the draft TOM would provide a good indication of certification requirements. The UK is committed to digital, and the introduction of e-certification would be via incremental development.
The UK would engage further with partners following the publication of the draft TOM.
Norway provided information on its experience with e-certification.
6. Update on the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Surveillance Authority Audit report findings
Iceland undertook to respond to the UK’s queries after the meeting.
7. Calendar of the SPS Committee
All parties decided that if there were no urgent issues then there could be flexibility on the frequency of the committee meetings. The timing of the next meeting would be coordinated via the secretariats from each country.
8. Publication of minutes
All parties agreed that a condensed version of the minutes could be published.
9. Operational conclusions
The UK summarised the discussions and undertook to circulate the operational conclusions for comment and agreement.
10. Closing remarks
All parties thanked those involved for organising what was a productive and successful meeting.