STEP 3: DEFENCES - DISTINCTLY APPLICABLE FOR BOTH QRs AND MEQRs ARE ONLY JUSTIFIABLE BY ARTICLE

8 important questions on STEP 3: DEFENCES - DISTINCTLY APPLICABLE FOR BOTH QRs AND MEQRs ARE ONLY JUSTIFIABLE BY ARTICLE

Is the application of the Article 36 TFEU exceptions limited? Explain the exception to this in Preussen Elektra?

Article 36 TFEU is narrowly construed and exhaustive. However, this was challenged in PreussenElektra relating to environmental protection.

Explain why the French government could not rely on the exception of public policy in failing to take steps against French protestors in (Commission v France (Angry Farmers)?

The French Government failed to take action against French protestors who blocked imported goods. The French government could not rely on public policy as the situation went unchecked for many years.

Contrast (Angry Farmers) with (Schmidberger) and explain why the Austrian authorities were successful on policy grounds for the protests?

The Austrian authorities acted in a way that was least restrictive to the free movement of goods by giving an advance warning of the lawful demonstration resulting in the closure of the motorway.
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Explain why the Irish law requiring importers of petrol to buy a certain percentage of petrol from an Irish state-owned refinery was justified in (Campus Oil)?

This was justified as it helped to ensure the continued production of the only local refinery and therefore went beyond 'purely economic considerations'.

Explain why the UK ban on imported French poultry was unjustified on grounds of protection of health in Newcastle Disease?

The UK's import ban on French poultry was unnecessary in avoiding the spread of Newcastle Disease because the real goal was to protect the British poultry sector = protectionist

Explain why the repackaging requirement on imported milk in the UK was unjustified in Re UHT Milk on public health grounds?

As the milk had already been tested in the country of origin and was known to be safe, the ECJ held that the repackaging law was unnecessary.

Explain why the tax on Italian exports of artistic, historic and archaeological value was unjustified in (Art Treasures)?

The export tax was protective and prevented the free movement of goods.

What are the main requirements in justifying the above defences?

Must not be a:
  • Arbitrary discrimination
  • Disguised as a restriction on trade
  • Must be necessary for achieving the objective sought (ie., does not go beyond what is necessary) Re UHT Milk - page 192 manual
  • Must be proportionate
    • In Schmidberger the Austrian authorities balanced protecting the free movement of goods and the right to freedom of expression = proportionate

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