On Thursday 11 March, the European Commission approved the extension of the transparency mechanism on Covid-19 vaccine exports until 30 June. The authorisation system was due to expire on 31 March. “The decision has been discussed extensively with the Member States”, said Trade spokesperson Miriam García Ferrer.
In its press release, the Commission justifies its decision to extend the mechanism by “persistent delays in some vaccine deliveries to the EU”.
“Not all companies are honouring their contracts with the EU, even though they have received a down payment to enable sufficient production”, said EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.
Since the mechanism came into force on 30 January, 249 applications for exports to 31 countries have been submitted. According to the Commission, only one application was not authorised (see EUROPE 12671/9). As a reminder, the mechanism does not apply to the countries of the European Economic Area, the Western Balkans, neighbouring countries, or countries that are part of the Covax initiative.
For MEP and Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Trade Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), this is the “wrong answer” to the problem: “We should have made sure that the contracts were strong enough not to have to take such measures”, he said.
The EU mechanism was also criticised at the WTO General Council on 1-2 March (see EUROPE 12670/9). A group of countries had spoken out against the export restrictions put in place and called on the EU not to renew them after March. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)