The Federal Council wants to tackle health crises with the EU in future
Published: Monday, May 27th 2024, 10:20
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The Federal Council is planning to conclude an agreement with the EU in order to act across borders and in a coordinated manner with its neighbors in the event of a health crisis. In addition to this area, the national government is also negotiating with the EU Commission on updating the treaties in the areas of food safety and air transport.
Since mid-March, the Federal Council has been in talks with the Commission of the European Union (EU) to regulate future relations between the two partners. According to the Common Understanding, Switzerland is to dynamically adapt its laws to EU law in future, both for any new agreements and for existing agreements.
In order to combat cross-border health threats such as a pandemic, the Federal Council would like to participate in the EU's crisis management networks and mechanisms. It is also seeking to participate in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the EU's health program, as stated in the negotiating mandate.
Talks on a healthcare agreement between Switzerland and the EU have been ongoing since 2008. However, due to the unresolved institutional issues, these have never been concluded. Cooperation has therefore taken place on a case-by-case basis and is limited to crisis situations.
Exception for Swiss animal welfare
The two partners are also negotiating a new food safety agreement. To this end, the existing agricultural agreement is to be extended to cover the entire food chain. The Federal Council stated that the term "food chain" encompasses all aspects of food law from the field to the plate.
On the one hand, the Federal Council is pursuing the goal of preventing counterfeit food and unsafe, unhealthy products on the market. On the other hand, Swiss food producers will have improved access to the domestic market, writes the Swiss government.
Existing exemptions such as the animal transit ban and the ban on genetically modified seeds would be retained. In addition, new exceptions to safeguard Swiss standards, particularly in the area of animal welfare, are to be enshrined in the agreement, as both parties write in their negotiating mandates. Agricultural policy is not affected by the negotiations.
Extended liberalization in air traffic
In the field of aviation, Switzerland has had an agreement with the EU since 2002 that gives Swiss airlines access to the European single market. According to the Federal Council, it also ensures a high level of safety and regulates Swiss participation in the European Aviation Safety Agency.
The Federal Council is also striving for an additional expansion of freedoms in air traffic. It would like to implement so-called cabotage. This would allow Swiss airlines to offer domestic connections to third countries and vice versa. This practice is already being implemented within the EU.
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