Sausage Wars: What's happening to Northern Irish trade?

In recent weeks the relations between Northern Ireland and the European Union have deteriorated due to disagreements over the Northern Ireland Protocol. Post-Brexit, Northern Ireland effectively remains in the EU single market and is an entry point for the customs union. The protocol established an Irish Sea Border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain for the movement of goods. This has caused a point of dispute for many Unionist politicians in Northern Ireland, who are strongly opposed to the protocol.

Credit: Euro news

Customs Checks Grace Periods

The most recent dispute has been about the impact of the protocol on trading in Northern Ireland. Brexit negotiations concluded with the implementation of ‘grace periods’ for trading across the Irish Sea Border, meaning that the UK was not required to conform to the customs checks on goods going to NI that would be required by the EU after the period was over.

The grace period for checks on food products was due to end on 1 April 2021. This would have meant the UK would have had to start conforming to the food safety trading requirements of the EU. This includes the issuing of Export Health Certificates for food products with ‘an animal origin.’

Despite the agreed upon deadline, the UK has asked for a formal extension of this date to 1 October 2021. This has sparked a row with the EU, who have argued that the UK are on the edge of breaching international law by refusing to honour the commitments for which they signed up to. The EU has launched infringement proceedings against the UK for their breaching of the agreement. Speaking on this decision, Maroš Šefčovič (Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations) stated ‘The EU and the UK agreed [sic] the Protocol together. We are also bound to implement it together. Unilateral decisions and international law violations by the UK defeat its very purpose and undermine trust between us.’

What Would Happen When Grace Periods End?

With the ending of grace periods, the UK would be required to comply with EU regulations. This would lead to restrictions being placed on trade of food products between the mainland UK and Northern Ireland. This is because the EU regulations prohibit the transport of chilled meat products from third countries. After leaving the EU, this includes the UK. Such chilled goods from the mainland UK could be transported into NI and from there, into the EU (i.e. the Republic of Ireland).

Credit: PA MEDIA

Reactions From Politicians

These trade restrictions within the UK have resulted in political rows involving politicians in NI, the UK and the EU. Unionist politicians in NI have expressed opposition to the restrictions, arguing that trade restrictions on the UK’s internal market are unfair, and contrary to the wishes of the people of NI.

On the other hand, Socialist Democratic and Labour Party MP Claire Hanna has stated there is a ‘gross distortion of the impact [the Protocol] is having.’ Many Nationalist representatives have not taken such strong opposition to the Protocol in comparison to Unionist representatives, with many Nationalists calling for greater recognition of the potential benefits for Northern Ireland. Being in such a unique position with regards to inclusion in both markets, there are opportunities for NI businesses to grow and continue to trade with both the rest of the UK and the EU.

Article 16 Of The Protocol

The protocol contains a safeguarding clause in the form of Article 16. This allows both the UK and the EU to take unilateral action if the protocol is seen to be causing ‘serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties that are liable to persist, or to diversion of trade.’ Prime Minister Boris Johnson has threatened to invoke Article 16 to take action against the protocol.

What You Can Do

• Keep up-to-date with developments in the relations between the parties involved; NI, the UK, and the EU

• To help keep a well-informed view on the issue, follow those from both sides of the debate; exposure to beliefs and opinions different from your own is essential to maintain a view of the whole situation

Sources

Edwards, R. (2021) ‘End of the Brexit Customs Grace Period - What Will Happen on 1st April 2021?’ Available at: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=f1393473-7d8d-4536-88d7-42246a0ab3b7

European Commission (2021) ‘Withdrawal Agreement: Commission sends letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom for breach of its obligations under the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland’ Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1132

Rice, C. (2021) ‘Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol’ Available at: https://ukandeu.ac.uk/explainers/article-16-of-the-northern-ireland-protocol/

Harte, L. (2021) ‘DUP MP Sammy Wilson poses with sausages as he tells EU ‘farcical’ NI Protocol ‘needs to go now’ Available at: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/dup-mp-sammy-wilson-poses-with-sausages-as-he-tells-eu-farcical-ni-protocol-needs-to-go-now-40524052.html