Following promises earlier this month, Defra have now launched a questionnaire to assess the impact of the Windsor Framework for trade between GB and NI.

The information collected will help Defra:

• make informed decisions on trade between GB and NI
• improve service delivery
• tailor the financial support the UK Government plans to provide for mandatory Phase 1 labelling requirements.

This questionnaire is voluntary and can be completed by any agri-food business across the supply chain that is involved with the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. It is available in English and Welsh and will take approximately 20-40 minutes to complete.

To request the questionnaire in Welsh or if you have any questions about it, please email traders@defra.gov.uk

The survey will be open until 23:59 on 31st July 2023.  

You may find it helpful to collate some information ahead of completing the questionnaire. You will be asked questions on current volumes of goods moving to NI under Official Controls Regulations – in terms of movement of lorries and the sanitary and phytosanitary certificates required for these movements. You will also be asked questions on potential costs incurred to meet Phase 1 product, box, and shelf labelling requirements for 1st October. Please use Windsor Framework Labelling guidance on GOV.UK to assess this  available here.

Why is this relevant to me?  

The UK Government will be offering limited financial support to businesses using the Northern Ireland Retail Movement scheme; specifically, that support will cover a range of activities to help businesses meet the product, box and shelf labelling requirements needed for 1st October 2023 (Phase 1). The funding will not cover the labelling changes for Phases 2 (October 2024) and 3 (July 2025) nor any GB labelling costs in Phase 1.

To benefit from this support, you should keep all evidence of your costs to prepare to meet the new labelling requirements on 1 October 2023, as you may get payment retrospectively. More guidance will follow shortly on GOV.UK regarding the arrangements for benefiting from this support.

Keeping you informed  

As mentioned in the guidance, Defra expect to consult businesses on the proposed UK-wide labelling requirements.

Continual updates on the Windsor Framework will be provided at Defra weekly agri-food forum and roundtables. The BFFF attend this forum, but it is open to all traders. If you would like to attend and do not already have the invite, please email Defra at: NIGBFoodSupplyChainForum@defra.gov.uk

If you have any questions and queries in the meantime, please email Defra at traders@defra.gov.uk