EU Extends COVID Vaccine Export Controls Until June
With large purchase agreements yet to be filled, the European Union extended its vaccine export control regime until the end of June, the European Commission announced March 11. The controls apply only to companies with which the EU has negotiated an advance purchase agreement and require these companies to notify their member state authorities of their intention to export COVID-19 vaccines. To date, only one export of vaccines has been denied, with the EU blocking a shipment of more than 250,000 vaccine doses from British vaccine developer AstraZeneca to Australia (see 2103080006). The EC said it has granted 249 export requests to 31 different countries for a total of over 34 million doses since they did not threaten underlying APAs with the EU.
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The extension comes amid a public spat between the EU and the United Kingdom over the use of export controls for COVID-19 vaccines (see 2103090047). British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, among others, said the U.K. hasn't blocked a single vaccine. The extension of controls opens the door for further export blockages, but European officials are pointing to the many approvals as indication of the EU's role as a leader in vaccine distribution. “The first weeks of the application of this instrument have shown that the trade disruption feared by many did not take place,” EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said. “Since the measure was introduced, shipments were authorised to more than 30 countries. This confirms that even during a very critical health situation, the EU has made a considerable effort to be a reliable and responsible trading partner.”