The European Union has retreated from a plan to override part of the Brexit deal on Northern Ireland over export controls on coronavirus vaccines.
But following widespread condemnation of the move, the EU is facing further criticism over its decision to push ahead with imposing controls on vaccines manufactured within member states.
It comes amid a bitter row between the bloc and AstraZeneca over shortfalls in delivery of the pharmaceutical company’s Covid-19 vaccine, which was authorised for use in adults throughout the EU on Friday.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the U-turn and how the row has unfolded.
Boris Johnson expressed “grave concerns” to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and also discussed the issue with Irish premier Micheal Martin, who reportedly was not given advance notice of Brussels’ decision.
The European Commission then reversed the decision and announced it was “not triggering the safeguard clause” to ensure the protocol is “unaffected”.
– Why does the EU have issues with its vaccine supplies?
AstraZeneca has said initial deliveries to the EU will fall short because of a production glitch – said to be at a hub in Belgium – and it will not be able to meet its supply targets for the first three months of this year.
AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine has been authorised for use in the European Union as a row over its supply continues to rumble on.
The EU is frustrated at supply shortages of the jab and has demanded AstraZeneca doses be sent from British plants to make up for a shortfall.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has since licensed the vaccine for use in adults throughout the EU.
Here’s what we know about the dispute between the EU, the UK and AstraZeneca:
– What is the cause of the problem?
AstraZeneca has said initial deliveries to the EU will fall short because of a production glitch – said to be at a hub in Belgium – and it will not be able to meet its supply targets for the first three months of this year.
AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine has been authorised for use in the European Union as a row over its supply continues to rumble on.
The EU is frustrated at supply shortages of the jab and has demanded AstraZeneca doses be sent from British plants to make up for a shortfall.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has since licensed the vaccine for use in adults throughout the EU.
Here’s what we know about the dispute between the EU, the UK and AstraZeneca:
– What is the cause of the problem?
AstraZeneca has said initial deliveries to the EU will fall short because of a production glitch – said to be at a hub in Belgium – and it will not be able to meet its supply targets for the first three months of this year.
AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine has been authorised for use in the European Union as a row over its supply continues to rumble on.
The EU is frustrated at supply shortages of the jab and has demanded AstraZeneca doses be sent from British plants to make up for a shortfall.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has since licensed the vaccine for use in adults throughout the EU.
Here’s what we know about the dispute between the EU, the UK and AstraZeneca:
– What is the cause of the problem?
AstraZeneca has said initial deliveries to the EU will fall short because of a production glitch – said to be at a hub in Belgium – and it will not be able to meet its supply targets for the first three months of this year.