The United Kingdom’s Export Control Joint Unit updated its export license application forms for firearms, according to an April 23 notice. The forms now include a “supplementary EC4 form,” which is a “continuation sheet” for the EC3 form. The EC3 form is required for exporting firearms to European Union countries.

The European Commission is narrowing the scope of European Union-wide export controls and expanding export exemptions to more territories, according to an April 24 notice. The measures, announced as draft regulations earlier this month (see 2004160033), apply for 30 days. The commission said it would also notify World Trade Organization partners about the changes “along with other EU coronavirus trade-related initiatives.”

Dutch potato producers, which depend “heavily” on exports, are faced with full warehouses due to the COVID-19 pandemic response measures, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released April 23. About 1.5 million metric tons of the Netherlands’ 2019 potato harvest is still in storage, the report said. Due to “worldwide lockdowns,” Dutch potato growers have lost the equivalent of $186 million to $241 million and are “quite concerned about their inability to identify buyers,” especially as storage costs continue to add up.

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade updated its COVID-19 guidance for U.K. traders with a new section on the export control process for personal protective equipment, according to an April 21 notice. The update provides a link to a guidance for PPE export controls issued by the Department of Health and Social Care.

An extension of the Brexit transition period beyond the end of 2020 looks “increasingly likely,” despite United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s promises to the contrary, the British International Freight Association said in an April 22 press release. “We believe that refusing to even consider extending the transition period is very risky and together with a growing chorus of Brexit commentators, think an extension to the transition period remains likely, and it is really only a question of ‘when,’” director general Robert Keen said.

The Eurasian Economic Commission recently introduced a temporary exemption from import duties for certain “critical food products,” according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report issued April 17. The exemption applies to a range of food imports, including potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbage, rice, rye and buckwheat, the report said. The measure took effect April 18 and retroactively applies to products imported as of April 1. The measure is set to expire June 30.

The United Kingdom’s Export Control Joint Unit updated its guidance for export controls of dual-use items, software, technology and goods used for torture, and “radioactive sources,” according to an April 16 notice. The notice now includes updated contact information for traders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the notice said. The guide contains an overview of export controls for those items, how traders can apply for licenses, restrictions on licenses and penalties for violations.

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade updated its guidance for export controls of military goods, software and technology, according to an April 16 notice. The guidance now includes updated government contact information for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

European Union Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan said the EU could consider temporarily suspending tariffs on most-needed medical equipment to fight COVID-19, as well as asking other countries to do the same. He said the EU could consider “launching a more comprehensive negotiation of a plurilateral agreement that would lead to a level playing field, including the possible permanent liberalisation of tariffs on medical equipment and help to ensure that global supply chains can operate freely in this critical sector, and that our healthcare manufacturers could benefit from new market opportunities.”

The European Commission introduced draft legislation to narrow European Union-wide export controls and extend export exemptions to more territories, according to an April 14 notice. Under the new legislation, the restrictions, which currently apply to a range of personal protective equipment (see 2003200029), would only restrict sales of protective masks. The restrictions would also only last for 30 days beginning April 26, the notice said. The commission said the masks is the “only remaining category, where an export authorization is necessary” to maintain EU supply.