(1)

Pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, France’s application to register the name ‘Kiwi de Corse’ was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (2).

(2)

As no statement of opposition under Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 has been received by the Commission, the name ‘Kiwi de Corse’ should therefore be entered in the register,

(1)

Chapter III of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 lays down general production rules for organic products, while detailed production rules are set out in Annex II to that Regulation. In order to ensure harmonised conditions for the implementation of that Regulation, some additional rules should be laid down.

(2)

The conversion to the organic production method requires certain periods of adaptation of all means in use. The required conversion period starts at the earliest after a farmer or an operator that produces algae or aquaculture animals has notified the activity to the competent authorities. As an exception and under certain conditions, a previous period may be retroactively recognised as being part of the conversion period. The documents to be submitted to the competent authorities for the purpose of the retroactive recognition of a previous period should be specified.

(3)

In order to ensure the observance of a high level of animal welfare respecting species-specific needs in organic livestock production, it is necessary to lay down the stocking densities, the minimum surfaces for indoor and outdoor areas and their characteristics, as well as technical requirements and characteristics for buildings and open air areas for bovine animals, ovine animals, caprine animals, equine animals, cervine animals, porcine animals, poultry and rabbits. Additionally, for suckling animals the minimum periods to be complied with for feeding preferably with maternal milk should also be laid down.

(4)

In order to ensure the observance of a high level of animal welfare respecting species-specific needs in organic aquaculture production, it is also necessary to lay down rules per species or per group of species on the stocking densities and the characteristics for production systems and containments systems for aquaculture animals.

(5)

Processed organic products should be produced using processing methods which guarantee that the organic characteristics and qualities of the products are maintained through all stages of organic production. Considering the great number of techniques used in the processing of food products in organic production, establishing an exhaustive list of all the techniques authorised is not possible. Therefore, as a general rule, techniques complying with the principles and relevant production rules as set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 should be considered as authorised in the processing of food products in organic production.

(6)

However, for certain techniques used in the processing of specific organic food products, opinions of Member States may diverge on the compliance of a technique with the principles and relevant production rules as set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 for producing specific products. For such cases, it is necessary to lay down rules on how such a technique can be assessed and, if confirmed compliant with those principles and production rules, be authorised by the Commission for producing specific food products, where appropriate under certain conditions.

(7)

Ion exchange and adsorption resin techniques may be needed to produce infant formula and follow-on formula and processed cereal-based food and baby food as referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 1(1) of Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) in order to meet the compositional requirements laid down in that Regulation and in acts adopted on the basis of Article 11(1) of that Regulation for the products concerned, or in products regulated by Commission Directive 2006/125/EC (3). It is necessary to authorise the use of ion exchange and adsorption techniques for these categories of products.

(8)

Similarly as for the techniques authorised for use in the processing of food products, techniques that reconstitute properties that are lost in the processing and storage of organic feed, that correct the results of negligence in the processing of organic feed, or that otherwise may be misleading as to the true nature of products intended to be marketed as organic feed, should not be used.

(9)

Considering the great number of techniques used in the processing of specific feed products in organic production, establishing an exhaustive list of all the techniques authorised is not possible. Therefore, as a general rule, techniques complying with the principles and relevant production rules as set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 should be authorised in the processing of feed products in organic production.

(10)

However, for certain techniques used in the processing of specific organic feed products, opinions of Member States may diverge on the compliance of a technique with the principles and relevant production rules as set out in Regulation (EU) 2018/848. For such cases, it is necessary to lay down rules on how such a technique can be assessed and, if confirmed compliant with those principles and relevant production rules, be authorised by the Commission for producing specific feed products, where appropriate under certain conditions.

(11)

Organic plant reproductive material, organic animals and organic aquaculture juveniles should be used in organic production. In order to help organic operators to find information on their availability, each Member State should have in place systems allowing operators that market organic and in-conversion plant reproductive material, organic animals or organic aquaculture juveniles to make information on their supplies publicly available. In particular, detailed information on such species that they are able to supply in sufficient quantities and within a reasonable period should be publicly available. Once a year, Member States should make available to the Commission the synthesis of such information as well as information on derogations granted in case of lack of availability.

(12)

Seedlings are excluded from the collection and exchange of information on organic and in-conversion plant reproductive material. Therefore, to ensure a harmonised approach, it is appropriate to establish a definition of seedlings.

(13)

In order to address the nutritional needs for specific protein compounds of young poultry and porcine animals of up to 35 kg, Member States may authorise the use of non-organic protein feed in poultry and porcine diets under strict conditions and until 31 December 2025. In view of phasing out these respective derogations and for the purposes of Article 53(6)(c) of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, the Commission should monitor their use taking into account the evolution of availability on the market of organic protein feed. For this purpose, a focused questionnaire should be designed by the Commission and Member States should annually submit to the Commission the filled in questionnaire summarising the relevant information collected on the availability of organic protein feed and the authorisations granted to use non-organic protein feed to poultry and porcine animals producers.

(14)

Member States may also set up a similar system of information on availability in relation to breeds and strains adapted to organic production or organic pullets. Considering the possible phasing out of derogations for the use of non-organic animals or pullets, it is important to collect data on the availability of organically reared breeds and strains specifically selected in the respect of organic principles and objectives. Therefore, it is necessary to lay down details for harmonised data to be reported by Member States to the Commission and to the other Member States.

(15)

Operators that have been producing livestock in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 (4) and Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 (5)will have to adapt their production systems to comply with the new specific technical requirements laid down in this Regulation affecting the livestock density, the structural characteristics of animals’ premises and related equipment, the available spaces and land management and the productive system of the holding in general. These adaptations will require variable periods of time according to the extent of the necessary interventions to comply with the new requirements laid down in this Regulation while taking into account on going productions.

(16)

In particular, the provisions concerning the stocking density, minimum indoor and outdoor areas for pullets and brother roosters, the maximum extension of the open air areas for poultry houses, the maximum number of tiers and the equipment for an efficient system of manure removal in multi-tiered poultry houses may imply tangible works and investments like rebuilding of animals’ premises and land acquisitions, or a complete refurbishment of animals’ premises for certain holdings or production units that have been producing until now in compliance with Regulations (EC) No 834/2007 and (EC) No 889/2008. Hence, a transitional period of maximum 8 years from 1 January 2021 should be provided for in respect of these holdings or production units in order to permit them to carry out the necessary adaptations to comply with the new requirements.

(17)

The requirement related to porcine animals concerning a minimum percentage of surface of outdoor area consisting of solid construction may imply the rebuilding of external facilities and changes in the system of collection of manure in holdings or production units that have been producing until now in compliance with Regulations (EC) No 834/2007 and (EC) No 889/2008. Hence, a transitional period of maximum 8 years from 1 January 2021 should be provided for in respect of these holdings or production units in order to permit them to carry out the necessary major renovation of animals’ external premises or the replacement of the equipment to comply with the new requirements.

(18)

Also the length of pop-holes between the verandas and the indoor part of the poultry house, the requirement on solid partitions for fattening poultry other than Gallus gallus, and the specific requirements on perches and raised sitting levels may imply tangible adaptations such as the renovation of part of the animals’ premises and purchase of new equipment for holdings that have been producing until now in compliance with Regulations (EC) No 834/2007 and (EC) No 889/2008. Hence, a transitional period of maximum 3 years from 1 January 2021 should be provided for in respect of these holdings or production units to permit them to carry out the necessary adaptations of animals’ premises or the replacement of the equipment to comply with the new requirements.

(19)

Finally the method of calculation of minimum indoor surface areas in poultry houses with an outdoor part of the building may imply adaptations such as the major reduction of the stocking density of poultry or the renovation of the buildings for holdings that have been producing until now in compliance with Regulations (EC) No 834/2007 and (EC) No 889/2008. Hence a transitional period of maximum 3 years from 1 January 2021 should be provided for in respect of these holdings or production units to permit them to carry out the necessary adaptations of their business plans or of their animals’ premises to comply with the new requirements.

(20)

In the interest of clarity and legal certainty, this Regulation should apply from the date of application of Regulation (EU) 2018/848.

(21)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Organic Production Committee,

(1)

The Asian brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (‘the stink bug’) is an insect originating from Asia that was accidentally introduced in the Union and in particular in the northern regions of Italy, namely Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige, Lombardia, Piemonte and Friuli Venezia Giulia (‘the affected regions’), through international trade.

(2)

In 2019, the stink bug caused serious damage to the fruit and vegetables production in the affected regions, infecting pears, peaches and nectarines, apples, kiwis, cherries and apricots. The damage inflicted on the fruit and vegetables makes them unusable for both consumption and processing. The losses for fruit and vegetables producers in the affected regions caused by the stink bug are estimated to have reached 500 million EUR only for 2019. Due to the stink bug many producer organisations in the affected regions lost in 2019 a large part of or even their entire harvest of fruit and vegetables.

(3)

The stink bug currently does not fulfil the criteria of a Union quarantine pest in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament of the Council (2) and no measures for eradication can be taken at the Union level. Therefore, at this stage, Italian authorities can take no appropriate protective phytosanitary measures.

(4)

In addition, only limited plant protection tools are currently available to effectively control the stink bug. The ‘Samurai’ wasps (Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii) as an alternative measure for biological control, have only been recently authorised in Italy as antagonist insects and at this point it is unclear whether this biological method of control of the stink bug is effective.

(5)

Producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector in the affected regions have implemented preventive measures (e.g. installation of anti-insect nets and traps) to avoid the damage to their crops. In spite of the efforts, those producer organisations have incurred simultaneously high costs for preventive measures and production losses with important negative impact on the value of their marketed production. This affects producer organisations’ financial stability and their capacity to implement operational programmes in the subsequent years, as well as to introduce measures and actions targeting pest infestations. In addition, the reduction of the value of marketed production impairs producer organisations’ access to Union financial assistance in the fruit and vegetables sector. Moreover, the reduction of the value of marketed production could lead to a loss of recognition for producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector in the affected regions where their value of marketed production decreases below the minimum legal threshold.

(6)

The complexity of the situation in the affected regions resulting from the damage to the fruit and vegetables production, the considerable loss of income and the financial instability of producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector in the affected regions as well as the inability to continue implementing their operational programs efficiently constitute a specific problem within the meaning of Article 221 of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. This specific problem cannot be addressed by measures taken pursuant to Article 219 or 220 of that Regulation, since it is not linked to an existing market disturbance or a currently precise threat thereof. Neither is it linked to measures for combating the spread of diseases of animals or a loss of consumer confidence due to public, animal or plant health risks.

(7)

Emergency measures to improve the access to mutual funds and increase the ceilings of Union financial assistance for producer organisations in the affected regions are therefore necessary for resolving the specific problem in the affected regions. Such measures will ensure the financial stability and boost the resilience and capacity of producer organisations in the affected regions to cope with the damage caused by the stink bug and to implement further crisis prevention and management measures in this regard.

(8)

The use of mutual funds as a crisis prevention and management measure by the producer organisations in the affected regions is a means to mitigate the damage to their fruit and vegetable production and their loss of income. Therefore, the access to the mutual funds for producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector in the affected regions should be improved. Currently, the Union financial assistance covers only the administrative costs of setting-up of a mutual fund and the replenishment of a mutual fund following payment of compensation to the producer members who experience a severe drop in their income as a result of adverse market conditions. To address the damage caused by the stink bug in the affected regions the Union financial assistance should also cover the starting capital of the mutual fund. The Union financial assistance for the starting capital of a mutual fund thus provided should however be dedicated to the compensation of the lost income of producer members due to the damage caused by the stink bug.

(9)

The 4,6 % ceiling of Union financial assistance dedicated to crisis and prevention measures in operational programmes of producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector in the affected regions in accordance with Article 34(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 should be increased by 0,4 % of value of marketed production to 5 % of value of marketed production, in order to improve access of those producer organisations to mutual funds and other crisis and prevention measures and to boost their financial stability. As associations of producer organisations are not concerned by the specific problem, it is not necessary to increase the ceiling laid down in the third subparagraph of Article 34(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013.

(10)

As a result of the increase of the ceiling of 4,6 % by 0,4 %, the ceiling of the Union financial assistance to crisis and prevention measures should increase to 0,9 % of the value of marketed production of those producer organisations, instead of the current 0,5 % of the value of marketed production laid down in the second subparagraph of Article 34(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. That additional 0,4 % of value of marketed production should be used for measures to control the stink bug. This is necessary to reinforce the financial stability of producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector in the affected regions, increase their resilience and improve their ability to implement approved operational programmes in the subsequent years.

(11)

In view of the financial instability of the producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector in the affected regions and considering the necessity to implement additional measures to control the stink bug, the limit of Union financial assistance of 50 % referred to in Article 34(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 should be increased to 60 % for all measures in operational programmes targeting the stink bug in the affected regions.

(12)

In view of the implementation of operational programmes by calendar years and considering that the calculation of value of marketed production that determines the amount of Union financial assistance is based on the previous calendar year, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(13)

This Regulation should apply as from 1 January 2020. This is necessary, given that the emergency measures concern the level and scope of Union financial assistance for producer organisations affected by the damage to the fruit and vegetables production caused by the stink bug. These producer organisations need to start applying these measures in their operational programmes as from January 2020, to be able to urgently address the damage to their fruit and vegetables production caused by the stink bug and to ensure the continuity of their operational programmes and their economic stability and viability already in 2020.

(14)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of Committee for Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets and Horticultural products,

(1)

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 lays down rules for, inter alia, the performance of official controls and of other official activities by the competent authorities of Member States. It also empowers the Commission to adopt, by means of an implementing act, appropriate temporary measures necessary to contain risks to, inter alia, human, animal and plant health and animal welfare, if it has evidence of a serious disruption in a Member State’s control system.

(2)

The ongoing crisis related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) represents an exceptional and unprecedented challenge for the capacity of Member States to fully conduct official controls and other official activities in accordance with EU legislation.

(3)

In its ‘Guidelines for border management measures to protect health and ensure the availability of goods and essential services’ (2), the Commission stressed that in the current situation, the smooth functioning of the Single Market should not be impacted. In addition, Member States should continue to ensure the circulation of goods.

(4)

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Member States are obliged to set up a control system, composed of competent authorities designated to perform official controls and other official activities. In particular, in accordance with Article 5(1)(e) of that Regulation, competent authorities are to have, or to have access to, a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff so that official controls and other official activities can be performed efficiently and effectively.

(5)

During the ongoing crisis related to COVID-19, Member States have put in place considerable movement restrictions for their populations, in order to protect human health.

(6)

A number of Member States have informed the Commission that, as a consequence of such movement restrictions, their the capacity to deploy suitable staff for official controls and other official activities, as required by Regulation (EU) 2017/625, is seriously impacted.

(7)

A number of Member States have informed the Commission specifically of difficulties to perform official controls and other official activities which require the physical presence of control staff. In particular, difficulties arise regarding the clinical examination of animals, certain checks on products of animal origin, plants and plant products and on food and feed of non-animal origin, and regarding the testing of samples in official laboratories designated by Member States.

(8)

In accordance with EU legislation regulating trade of live animals and germinal products within the Single Market, notably Council Directives 64/432/EEC (3), 88/407/EEC (4), 89/556/EEC (5), 90/429/EEC (6), 91/68/EEC (7), 92/65/EEC (8), 2006/88/EC (9), 2009/156/EC (10) and 2009/158/EC (11), consignments of animals and germinal products are to be accompanied by originals of animal health certificates throughout their movements between Member States.

(9)

A number of Member States have also informed the Commission that official controls and other official activities resulting in the signature and issuance of original paper official certificates and official attestations which should accompany consignments of animals and germinal products moved between Member States or entering the Union, can currently not be performed in accordance with EU legislation.

(10)

Therefore, an alternative to the presentation of original paper official certificates and official attestations should be temporarily authorised taking into account the use by registered users of the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) as referred to in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1715 (12) and the current technical inability of TRACES to issue electronic certificates in accordance with that Implementing Regulation. This alternative should be without prejudice to the obligation of operators in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625 to present original documents, when technically feasible.

(11)

In view of these specific circumstances, measures should be taken to avoid serious health risks for staff of the competent authorities without jeopardising the prevention of risks to human, animal and plant health arising from animals, plants and their products and without jeopardising the prevention of risks to animal welfare. At the same time, the proper functioning of the Single Market, based on Union agri-food chain legislation should be ensured.

(12)

Member States with serious difficulties to operate their existing control systems should therefore be able to apply the temporary measures laid down in this Regulation, to the extent necessary to manage the related serious disruptions of their control systems. Member States should take all necessary action to remedy the serious disruption in their control systems as soon as possible.

(13)

Member States applying the temporary measures provided for in this Regulation should inform the Commission and the other Member States thereof as well as of measures taken to remedy the difficulties in carrying out official controls and other official activities in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625.

(14)

This Regulation should be applicable for two months, in order to facilitate the planning and the performance of official controls and other official activities during the crisis linked to COVID-19. In view of the information received from a number of Member States, which suggests that temporary measures should be provided for immediately, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following the day of its publication.

(15)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,

(1)

Pursuant to Article 3 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/39 (2), Member States wishing to participate in the Union aid scheme for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk in educational establishments (the school scheme) are to submit to the Commission by 31 January each year their request for Union aid relating to the next school year and, if applicable, update the request for Union aid relating to the ongoing school year.

(2)

In accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 137(1) of the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, the Union programmes and activities committed under the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 or previous financial perspectives are to be implemented in 2019 and 2020 with regard to the United Kingdom on the basis of the applicable Union law.

(3)

In order to ensure the effective implementation of the school scheme, the allocation of Union aid for school fruit and vegetables and for school milk among participating Member States should be fixed on the basis of the amounts indicated in the request for Union aid by those Member States and taking into account the transfers between Member State’s indicative allocations referred to in Article 23a(4)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3).

(4)

All Member States notified the Commission of their request for Union aid for the period from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021, specifying the amount of aid required for school fruit and vegetables or for school milk, or for both parts of the scheme. In the case of Belgium, France, Cyprus and Sweden the amounts requested took account of the transfers between the indicative allocations.

(5)

In order to maximise the full potential of available funds, the unrequested Union aid should be reallocated to Member States participating in the school scheme that indicate, in their request for Union aid, their willingness to use more than their indicative allocation, should additional resources be available.

(6)

In their request for Union aid for the period from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021, Sweden and the United Kingdom sought less than the indicative allocation for school fruit and vegetables and/or for school milk. Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia and Sweden notified their willingness to use more than the indicative allocation for school fruit and vegetables and/or for school milk.

(7)

On the basis of the notified information by Member States, the definitive allocation of Union aid for school fruit and vegetables and for school milk for the period from 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021 should be fixed.

(8)

Commission Implementing Decision C(2019) 2249 (4) final fixed the definitive allocation of Union aid for school fruit and vegetables and for school milk among Member States participating in the school scheme for the period from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2020. Some Member States updated their request for Union aid relating to that school year. Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Austria notified transfers between the definitive allocation for school fruit and vegetables and the definitive allocation for school milk. Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal sought less than the definitive allocation for school fruit and vegetables and/or for school milk. Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Romania and Slovakia notified their willingness to use more than the definitive allocation for school fruit and vegetables and/or for school milk.

(9)

Based on the notified information by Member States, Implementing Decision C(2019) 2249 final should be amended.

(10)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

(1)

ECDC carries out its activities in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 851/2004.

(2)

In accordance with Article 25(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 restrictions of the application of Articles 14 to 22, 35 and 36, as well as Article 4 of that Regulation in so far as its provisions correspond to the rights and obligations provided for in Articles 14 to 22 should be based on internal rules to be adopted by ECDC, where these are not based on legal acts adopted on the basis of the Treaties.

(3)

These internal rules, including its provisions on the assessment of the necessity and proportionality of a restriction, should not apply where a legal act adopted on the basis of the Treaties provides for a restriction of data subject rights.

(4)

Where ECDC performs its duties with respect to data subject’s rights under Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, it shall consider whether any of the exemptions laid down in that Regulation apply.

(5)

Within the framework of its administrative functioning, ECDC may conduct administrative inquiries, disciplinary proceedings, carry out preliminary activities related to cases of potential irregularities reported to OLAF, process whistleblowing cases, process (formal and informal) procedures of harassment, process internal and external complaints, conduct internal audits, process health data of ECDC staff, carry out investigations by the Data Protection Officer in line with Article 45(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 and internal (IT) security investigations.

(6)

ECDC processes several categories of personal data, including hard data (‘objective’ data such as identification data, contact data, professional data, administrative details, data received from specific sources, electronic communications and traffic data) and/or soft data (‘subjective’ data related to the case such as reasoning, behavioural data, appraisals, performance and conduct data and data related to or brought forward in connection with the subject matter of the procedure or activity).

(7)

ECDC, represented by its Director, acts as the data controller irrespective of further delegations of the controller role within the ECDC to reflect operational responsibilities for specific personal data processing operations.

(8)

The personal data are stored securely in an electronic environment or on paper preventing unlawful access or transfer of data to persons who do not have a need to know. The personal data processed are retained for no longer than necessary and appropriate for the purposes for which the data are processed for the period specified in the data protection notices, privacy statements or records of ECDC.

(9)

The internal rules should apply to all processing operations carried out by ECDC in the performance of administrative inquiries, disciplinary proceedings, preliminary activities related to cases of potential irregularities reported to OLAF, whistleblowing procedures, (formal and informal) procedures for cases of harassment, processing internal and external complaints, internal audits, the investigations carried out by the Data Protection Officer in line with Article 45(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, (IT) security investigations handled internally or with external involvement (e.g. CERT-EU) and in relation to the handling of personal files of staff members.

(10)

They should apply to processing operations carried out prior to the opening of the procedures referred to above, during these procedures and during the monitoring of the follow-up to the outcome of these procedures. It should also include assistance and cooperation provided by ECDC to national authorities and international organisations outside of its administrative investigations.

(11)

In the cases where these internal rules apply ECDC has to give justifications explaining why the restrictions are strictly necessary and proportionate in a democratic society and respect the essence of the fundamental rights and freedoms.

(12)

Within this framework ECDC is bound to respect, to the maximum extent possible, the fundamental rights of the data subjects during the above procedures, in particular, those relating to the right of provision of information, access and rectification, right to erasure, restriction of processing, right of communication of a personal data breach to the data subject or confidentiality of communication as enshrined in Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.

(13)

However, ECDC may be obliged to restrict the information to data subject and other data subject’s rights to protect, in particular, its own investigations, the investigations and proceedings of other public authorities, as well as the rights of other persons related to its investigations or other procedures.

(14)

ECDC may thus restrict the information for the purpose of protecting the investigation and the fundamental rights and freedoms of other data subjects.

(15)

ECDC should periodically monitor that the conditions that justify the restriction apply and lift the restriction as far as they do no longer apply.

(16)

The Controller should inform the Data Protection Officer at the moment of deferral and during the revisions,

(1)

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco on the amendment of Protocols 1 and 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (‘the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters’) entered into force on 19 July 2019.

(2)

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters was concluded without prejudice to the respective positions of the European Union with regard to the status of Western Sahara and of the Kingdom of Morocco with regard to that region.

(3)

Under the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters, products originating in Western Sahara that are subject to controls by the customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco benefit from the same trade preferences as those granted by the European Union to products covered by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States,of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (‘the Association Agreement’).

(4)

In a spirit of partnership and in order to allow the parties to assess the impact of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters, in particular on sustainable development and with regard to the advantages for the people concerned and the exploitation of the natural resources of the territories in question, the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to exchange information at least once a year by means of the Association Committee.

(5)

The specific arrangements for the evaluation exercise are to be adopted by the Association Committee,

‘Aleksandr Sergeevich MALYKHIN

Alexander Sergeevich MALYHIN

(Александр Сергеевич МАЛЫХИН)

Oleksandr Serhiyovych (Sergiyovych) Y

(Олександр Сергiйович МАЛИХIН)’

‘Aleksandr Sergeevich MALYKHIN

Alexander Sergeevich MALYHIN

(Александр Сергеевич МАЛЫХИН)

Oleksandr Serhiyovych (Sergiyovych) MALYKHIN

(Олександр Сергiйович МАЛИХIН)’