On-site, Private, Visit

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Committee visit to Brussels

On 13 September 2023, Committee Members agreed a fact-finding mission to Brussels in the Autumn term. The overall purpose was to meet with MEPs and representatives from governments and organisations working in areas related to the Committee’s remit, and with whom the Welsh Government has strategic partnerships. This included trade organisations, agriculture and fisheries organisations and those working on research and development including Horizon Europe.

This visit allowed the Committee to strengthen its links with its counterparts in the EU and relevant organisations at a European level, including the European Parliament and other EU institutions and representatives based in Brussels.

A wide range of issues were discussed during the visit. These included the relationship between Wales, the UK and the EU, the Trade and Cooperation Agreement including fisheries aspects, the Border Target Operating Model; Welsh representation on the UK Domestic Advisory Group, and issues relating to tariffs and rules of origin on batteries and electric vehicles; Agricultural issues including reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, nature restoration measures and the sustainability agenda, and organics equivalence; and Higher Education and research and innovation, including the Taith international exchange programme, and opportunities for collaboration through the Horizon programme.

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Wednesday 15 November

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1 European Parliament

Meeting with François Alfonsi MEP, Member of the Regional Development Committee (REGI) and the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET)

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2 Business Europe

Meeting with Louisa Santos, Deputy Director

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Thursday 16 November

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3 UK Mission to the European Union

Meeting with Zoӫ Compston, Counsellor Goods, Health and Environment, and colleagues

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4 Welsh Government Office in Brussels

Meeting with Eleanor Vaughan, Head of Office, and Gavin Lewis, Head of Economic, Social and Regional Policy

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5 Copa-Cogeca, European representative body for farming and farming unions

Meeting with Branwen Miles, Senior Policy Advisor; Oana Neagu, Director, General Affairs; Ksenija Simovic, Senior Policy Advisor, Trade and International Affairs; Niall Curley, Soil and Biodiversity; Thomas Sanchez, Livestock, & Interim Animal Welfare & Phytosanitary

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6 British Agricultural Bureau

Meeting with Katy Adams, Senior Policy Officer

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7 The Institute of Export and International Trade

Meeting with Fergus McReynolds, Director of EU Affairs

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8 Welsh Higher Education Brussels (WHEB)

Meeting with Catherine Marston, Strategic Development Officer

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Agenda - Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee

On-site, Private, Visit

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