Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Minutes of Proceedings - 13 November 2025
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee - Minutes of Proceedings - 13 November 2025.pdf (155.94 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Ciara Ferguson MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Steve Aiken MLA
Eóin Tennyson MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Declan Kearney MLA
Peter Martin MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
Apologies:
None.
In Attendance:
Jessica Jacques, Senior Assistant Clerk
Chris Dickison, Senior Assistant Clerk
Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk
Damien Brown, Clerical Officer
Shelley Garner, Clerical Officer
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Carla Campbell, Clerical Supervisor
The meeting commenced at 10.01 in public session.
1. Apologies
None.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2025.
4. Matters Arising
None.
5. COM/2025/652 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards certain obligations of operators and traders
The Committee considered the proposed replacement EU act: COM/2025/652 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 as regards certain obligations of operators and traders.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request legal advice and an initial departmental assessment of impact to help inform its decision on whether to monitor the proposed EU act.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to inform the Ulster Farmers' Union and the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association that it had been notified of the proposed EU act.
6. European Commission Work Programme 2026 - Assembly Research and Information Service (RaISe) Oral Briefing
Eóin Tennyson joined the meeting at 10.06am.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.06am:
Glenda Doherty Research Officer, RaISe
Megan McDermott Research Officer, RaISe
The officials briefed the Committee on the European Commission's 2026 Work Programme.
Kate Nicholl joined the meeting at 10.10am.
A question and answer session followed.
The officials left the meeting at 10.32am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to share RaISe's briefing paper with the UK Government, the Executive Office, the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels, the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee, and the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to publish RaISe's briefing paper on its webpage.
7. Correspondence
7.1 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Economy following its oral evidence sessions with the Independent Reviewer of the Windsor Framework, and the Road Haulage Association.
7.2 The Committee noted a status update from RaISe on COM/2023/769 Proposal for a Regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability.
7.3 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (NISC) to the UK Government regarding COM/2025/503 Proposal for a Directive as regards digitalisation and common specifications, and COM/2025/504 Proposal for a Regulation as regards digitalisation and common specifications.
7.4 The Committee considered a copy of correspondence from the NISC to the UK Government regarding COM/2025/580 Proposal for a Council Directive on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco and tobacco related products, and COM/2025/581 Proposal for a Council Directive as regards the general arrangements for excise duty in respect of tobacco and tobacco related products.
A Member highlighted that some EU Member States have raised issues in relation to the UK Government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill and its interaction with the Windsor Framework.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to draw this issue to the attention of the Committee for Health.
The Committee considered a copy of correspondence from the UK Government to the NISC regarding veterinary medicines and the Windsor Framework.
The Committee noted that this issue falls outside its remit, as set out in Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to raise concerns about the supply of veterinary medicines to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to the UK Government regarding Regulation (EU) 2024/1860 as regards a gradual roll-out of Eudamed, the obligation to inform in case of interruption or discontinuation of supply, and transitional provisions for certain in vitro diagnostic medical devices.
The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the NISC to the UK Government regarding a Delegated Regulation as regards the requirements for entry into the Union of certain dairy products, certain food additives derived from animals, collagen casings, minced meat, meat preparations, mechanically separated meat and composite products containing gelatine capsules.
8. Chairperson's Business
None.
9. Any Other Business
None.
10. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be an informal meeting on Thursday 20 November 2025 at 10.00am in Room 106.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.47am.
Ciara Ferguson, MLA
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
