Dec 15th, 2020
3 mins
As traders will need to understand and comply with new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements designed to protect human, plant, and animal health when moving products to and through NI, Defra is introducing a new scheme. Known as the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS), it will provide various levels of support to traders.
One level of support is a dedicated contact centre where businesses can call for advice on moving products from GB to NI.
This service will be available from 16 December 2020 and will be able to support you with understanding the policy changes and providing practical support. Specialist advisors will be able to advise on matters such as Export Health Certificates, animal products, plants and plant products.
Secondly, the scheme will provide financial assistance for traders moving food or agricultural products for which specific SPS controls apply—meaning the UK Government will cover, for example, reasonable costs for obtaining Export Health Certificates. Businesses can be assured that despite the new requirements of the Protocol, businesses will be supported to deal with new direct costs.
Defra will share further information on these arrangements and details for the contact centre shortly.
If you have any questions on the above you are invited to email Defra directly on traders@defra.gov.uk.
