The UK has called for “significant” changes to Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit trade agreement, but is refraining from breaking some of its transactions.
Brexit Minister Sir David Frost said, “We cannot continue as it is,” but withheld the use of provisions that could allow the element to be suspended.
He warned that the “pure” method by which the Northern Ireland Protocol was being implemented is causing economic and social damage.
Frost has requested a “suspension” period that maintains the existing grace period that allows the flow of goods from the United Kingdom to Northern Ireland.
But he also said that his plan to solve the difficulties required “significant changes to the Northern Ireland Protocol” and “we are not ashamed of it.”
The protocol, signed by Boris Johnson and part of the Brexit divorce agreement negotiated by Frost, effectively keeps Northern Ireland in the European Union’s commodity market.
This means checking for goods sent from the UK to the Single Market, and in some cases certain goods that do not comply with EU regulations may be banned.
The Protocol was implemented to ensure that there were no harsh borders with Ireland, but instead effectively placed trade barriers in the Irish Sea.
Sir Frost said a “new balance” of arrangements was needed to distribute goods in Northern Ireland that meet EU and British standards, as well as the rules set by Brussels.
He added that relations between the UK and the EU should no longer be cracked down by the European Court of Justice.
“This is all in perfect agreement with maintaining the border without an infrastructure check between Ireland and Northern Ireland,” he said.
He told his companions: “We urge the EU to take a fresh look at it, seize this opportunity and work with us to lay the groundwork for our relationship. We work with them. We are ready to realize a bright future that we can reach. “
The proposals announced by the government are as follows:
— A “evidence-based, targeted approach” to products at risk of entering the single market, but products destined for Northern Ireland are allowed to be distributed “almost freely”.
— Continued access to goods from other parts of the UK in Northern Ireland through a regulatory approach that accepts both UK and European Union standards.
— A “normal” treaty framework for governing arrangements that does not have a court role.
One idea proposed is for British traders to declare whether the final destination of their goods is Northern Ireland or Ireland.
“Goods going to Ireland require full customs clearance, and the UK promises to enforce them. Other goods do not require customs clearance.”
Sir Frost explained why change was needed. He stressed that the economic and social damage he said would justify the use of Article 16 and effectively abandoned part of the transaction.
“There is a serious turmoil in East-West trade, and as companies change their supply chains, trade on the island of Ireland has increased significantly, causing considerable disruption to their daily lives.
“There was also the most unfortunate social instability seen in the obstacles across Northern Ireland on Easter.”
The unionist community had a “false but raw” perception of separation from the rest of Britain that had “serious political consequences.”
“Overall, these discussions have not reached the heart of the matter,” Frost told his peers, although negotiations with the European Union are progressing.
“Simply put, we can’t keep going,” he said.
Northern Ireland is facing a decline in supermarket product lines and 200 suppliers have decided not to sell there anymore.
Marks & Spencer’s chairman warned that there will be some “shelf gaps” in Northern Ireland this Christmas.
Archie Norman told BBC Radio 4 Today:
Baroness Chapman, Minister of the Shadow Cabinet Office, said: Still here I’m trying to deselect it.
“The government must find an agreement to solve the problems posed by the prime minister. We have more political brinkmanship. The threat of breaking the protocol without anything happening increases. I am. “
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, welcomed the government’s move as a step in the right direction, adding: Appropriate renegotiation is required. “
By David Hughes and Sam Blewett