Sep 9th, 2021
3 mins
Every week we attend a Defra-led forum to discuss the ongoing situation with trade between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI).
On last week’s call Defra outlined at a top line level the work they have been undertaking on the Command Paper the Government issued on 21st July 2021.
As you will recall the paper called for a suspension of the Northern Ireland Protocol plus proposed a much simpler process covering the Movement of Goods between GB and NI especially on Products Of Animal Origin (POAO) and High Risk Goods.
This week Defra have updated us further and have confirmed that ongoing discussions with the EU are going well.
On the 23rd August a formal standstill request was submitted to the Commission with which the EU have agreed. This latest standstill means that Government will continue to operate the NI Protocol on the current basis including grace periods and easements. This will allow talks to continue with the EU over a more lasting solution to the issues posed by the NI Protocol.
Additionally, on the 27th August the EU confirmed publicly that they would not pursue any legal proceedings as regards breeching the NI Protocol.
As yet we have no confirmation of when this standstill will come to an end as the duration will largely depend on what is agreed with the EU. However, Government have confirmed that industry will be given a ‘reasonable notice period’ of any changes to enable operating models to be reviewed.
We will of course keep you updated as further detail is released but in the meantime further information regarding the announcement can be found here as well as links to Lord Frosts statement and the EU’s response.
