Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
Thursday 30 April 2026
Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee minutes of proceedings 30 April 2026.pdf (179.66 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 30
Present:
Ciara Ferguson MLA (Chairperson)
David Brooks MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Peter Martin MLA
Present by Video or Teleconference:
Steve Aiken MLA
Jonathan Buckley MLA
Pádraig Delargy MLA
Kate Nicholl MLA
Apologies:
Cathal Boylan MLA
In Attendance:
Marie Austin, Clerk
Chris Dickison, Senior Assistant Clerk
Jessica Jacques, Senior Assistant Clerk
Oliver Bellew, Assistant Clerk
Lisa Chestnutt, Clerical Supervisor
Shelley Garner, Clerical Officer
In Attendance by Video or Teleconference:
Sean McCann, Assistant Clerk
Carla Campbell, Clerical Supervisor
Damien Brown, Clerical Officer
The meeting commenced at 10.03am in closed session.
1. Apologies
As above.
2. Declaration of Interests
None.
3. COM/2025/747 Proposal for a Regulation on monitoring and controlling drug precursors and repealing Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005 – Legal Advice
Julie Byers, Legal Adviser, Assembly Legal Services, joined the meeting at 10.05am.
David Brooks joined the meeting at 10.09am.
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following proposed replacement EU act:
COM/2025/747 Proposal for a Regulation on monitoring and controlling drug precursors and repealing Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005.
The Legal Adviser provided advice on whether it appears likely that the proposed replacement act differs significantly (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU act it is amending/replacing.
The Committee noted that further consideration of the proposed replacement EU act would take place in public session.
The Legal Adviser remained in the meeting for agenda item 4.
4. COM/2025/1030 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements – Legal Advice
The Committee considered a notification from the Cabinet Office in relation to the following proposed replacement EU act:
COM/2025/1030 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements.
The Legal Adviser provided advice on whether it appears likely that the proposed replacement act differs significantly (in whole or in part) from the content or scope of the EU act it is amending/replacing.
The Committee noted that further consideration of the proposed replacement EU act would take place in public session.
The Legal Adviser left the meeting at 10.19am.
The Committee moved into public session at 10.19am.
5. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2026
6. Matters Arising
None.
7. COM/2025/747 Proposal for a Regulation on monitoring and controlling drug precursors and repealing Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005 - Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of COM/2025/747 Proposal for a Regulation on monitoring and controlling drug precursors and repealing Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005.
The Committee considered an assessment of impact and written answers from the Department of Health (DoH), and a UK Government (UKG) Explanatory Memorandum (EM) on the proposed replacement EU act.
The following official joined the meeting at 10.21am:
Aaron McKendry Senior Principal Pharmaceutical Officer, Department of Health
The official gave oral evidence on the proposed replacement EU act.
A question and answer session followed.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The official left the meeting at 10.39am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to monitor the progress of the proposed replacement EU act, pursuant to paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that the Department provides a revised assessment of impact if any changes are proposed by the Council of the European Union or the European Parliament, which would have a significant impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland in a way that is liable to persist.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that RaISe monitors the progress of the proposed replacement EU act, including negotiations in the European Parliament and Council of the European Union, and submits quarterly updates, or more often as appropriate, to the Committee.
8. COM/2025/1030 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements – Departmental Oral Evidence
The Committee continued its consideration of COM/2025/1030 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 1829/2003, (EC) No 1831/2003, (EC) No 852/2004, (EC) No 853/2004, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1099/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) 2017/625 as regards the simplification and strengthening of food and feed safety requirements.
The Committee considered assessments of impact from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Department for the Economy (DfE), and the Food Standards Agency (FSA), written answers from DAERA and the FSA, and a UKG EM on the proposed replacement EU act.
The following officials joined the meeting at 10.41am:
Bronagh Mallon Pesticides Policy Officer, DAERA
Helen Thompson Pesticides Policy Officer, DAERA
Philip Kennedy Head of Food Safety Policy and Delivery, FSA
Mark McGregor Trade Windsor Framework Branch, DfE
The officials gave oral evidence on the proposed replacement EU act.
A question and answer session followed.
During the evidence session, officials agreed to provide further written information on a range of issues.
Steve Aiken left the meeting at 11.01am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the transcript of the evidence session to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
The evidence session was reported by Hansard.
The officials left the meeting at 11.28am.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to monitor the progress of the proposed replacement EU act, pursuant to paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 6B to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that the Department(s) provide revised assessments of impact if any changes are proposed by the Council of the European Union or the European Parliament, which would have a significant impact specific to everyday life of communities in Northern Ireland in a way that is liable to persist.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that RaISe monitors the progress of the proposed replacement EU act, including negotiations in the European Parliament and Council of the European Union, and submits quarterly updates, or more often as appropriate, to the Committee.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek a meeting with Intertrade UK and to discuss the proposed replacement EU act during the meeting.
9. COM/2023/192 Proposal for a Directive on the Union code relating to medicinal products for human use, and repealing Directive 2001/83/EC and Directive 2009/35/EC
10. COM/2023/193 Proposal for a Regulation laying down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency , amending Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 and Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider agenda items 9 and 10 together.
The Committee considered an update from DoH on the provisionally agreed texts of COM/2023/192 Proposal for a Directive on the Union code relating to medicinal products for human use, and repealing Directive 2001/83/EC, and Directive 2009/35/EC; and, COM/2023/193 Proposal for a Regulation laying down Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency, amending Regulation (EC) No 1394/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 536/2014 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 and Regulation (EC) No 1901/2006.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to DoH to ask when its full technical analysis of both proposals will be completed and to be provided with a copy of the analysis when available.
11. COM/2024/577 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain
The Committee considered an updated assessment of impact from DAERA on the provisionally agreed text of COM/2024/577 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) 2021/2115 and (EU) 2021/2116 as regards the strengthening of the position of farmers in the food supply chain.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to request that DAERA provides figures on the number of products and relevant consignments that might be impacted by the proposed replacement EU act's definition of meat and meat related products, information on associated compliance costs, and for its assessment of whether the proposed three year period for producers to adapt to the changes is sufficient.
12. Committee Work Planning
The Committee noted an update on all the proposed EU acts which it is monitoring and gathering evidence on, and on others which had been notified.
13. Correspondence
13.1 The Committee considered correspondence from the Seanad Select Committee on EU Scrutiny and Transparency requesting a meeting.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to meet with the Seanad Select Committee.
13.2 The Committee noted a UKG EM on COM/2025/1020 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods.
13.3 The Committee noted a UKG EM on COM/2025/780 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain production, labelling and certification rules and certain rules on trade with third countries.
13.4 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/531 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products.
13.5 The Committee noted a further update from RaISe on COM/2025/531 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products.
13.6 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2024/561 Proposal for a amending Directive 2014/32/EU as regards electric vehicle supply equipment, compressed gas dispensers, and electricity, gas and thermal energy meters.
13.7 The Committee noted an update from RaISe on COM/2025/386 Proposal for a Regulation on the European Chemicals Agency and amending Regulations (EC) No 1907/2006, (EU) No 528/2012, (EU) No 649/2012 and (EU) 2019/1021.
13.8 The Committee noted correspondence from the Executive Office in relation to current proposed EU legislation relevant to Northern Ireland.
13.9 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee (NISC) to UKG regarding COM/2025/1020 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 as regards the extension of certain data protection periods.
13.10 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from NISC to UKG regarding COM/2025/1023 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2017/746 as regards simplifying and reducing the burden of the rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/123 as regards the support of the European Medicines Agency for the expert panels on medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 as regards the list of Union harmonisation legislation referred to in its Annex I.
13.11 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from NISC to UKG regarding the Health and Safety Executive’s Chemicals Legislative Reforms consultation response, and Regulation (EU) 2025/2439.
13.12 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from NISC to UKG regarding COM/2025/836 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2024/1689 and (EU) 2018/1139 as regards the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence.
13.13 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to NISC regarding COM/2025/836 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EU) 2024/1689 and (EU) 2018/1139 as regards the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence.
13.14 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from NISC to UKG regarding Commission Directive (EU) 2026/192 amending Appendix A of Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards cobalt.
13.15 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from UKG to NISC regarding Commission Directive (EU) 2026/192 amending Appendix A of Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys, as regards cobalt.
13.16 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from NISC to UKG regarding COM/2025/993 Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 561/2006, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2019/2144 and (EU) 2024/1257 as regards the simplification of technical requirements and testing procedures for motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 70/157/EEC and Regulation No 540/2014.
13.17 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from NISC to UKG regarding Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1920 amending Regulation (EU) 2017/745, as regards the assignment of Unique Device Identifiers for spectacle frames, spectacle lenses and ready-to-wear reading spectacles.
13.18 The Committee noted a copy of correspondence from NISC to UKG regarding the Draft Chemicals (Health and Safety) (Amendment, Consequential and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026.
14. Chairperson’s Business
14.1 The Chairperson referred to the Committee’s visits to Brussels and Westminster and informed Members that a paper providing a record of the meetings held will be circulated in due course.
14.2 The Chairperson reminded Members that the Committee will attend the Balmoral Show on Wednesday 13 May and, as previously agreed, Secretariat staff will showcase the work of the Committee and Members will attend, if available, on an informal basis.
14.3 The Chairperson proposed that notifications from Cabinet Office of any relevant replacement EU acts that have been proposed by the European Commission, and any relevant replacement EU acts that have been published by the European Union, be paused on 7 May 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that notifications be paused on 7 May 2026.
Members noted that Cabinet Office and the relevant people would be advised accordingly.
14.4 The Committee noted that the previously postponed meeting with the Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in the UK had been rescheduled for 10 June 2026.
14.5 The Chairperson informed Members that an invite had been received to meet with the incoming UK Ambassador to the EU, on Tuesday 26 May 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to meet with the incoming UK Ambassador to the EU.
15. Any Other Business
None.
16. Date, Time and Place of the next meeting
The next meeting will be held on 21 May 2026 at 10.00am in Room 30.
The meeting was adjourned at 11.43am.
Ciara Ferguson MLA
Chairperson, Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee
21 May 2026
