UK's proposed changes to NI protocol ‘absolutely ludicrous’ - Smith

The British government's proposed changes to the sections of the NI protocol governing the movement of food have been branded “absolutely ludicrous” by a local Fianna Fáil TD.

The vexed issue of checks on goods travelling from Britain into the North has seen the Tory government unilaterally draft new legislation which undermines the protocol they signed up to post-Brexit with the EU.

Deputy Brendan Smith, speaking in Dáil Eireann with Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the matter, took particular umbrage with the proposed changes that would impact regulatory regimes for food.

“The agrifood sector has grown on a cross-Border and All-Ireland basis. It is essential that the other member states of the European Union continue to support the Government in protecting that sector," said Deputy Smith.

“It will be very vulnerable, should the British Government's decision to tear up parts of the protocol be implemented. It is absolutely ludicrous for the British Government to come up with the idea of two regulatory regimes for food; it is not viable. Who would certify the transfer of milk from Northern Ireland to southern processing units? A food chain, in the context of processing, cannot be broken.”

In response, Taoiseach, Micheál Martin agreed with his party colleague.

“Deputy Smith is correct about what is transpiring in respect of the decision that has been made on the dual regulatory framework," he said. "All of those involved in industry, manufacturing, the dairy industry and agrifood are saying this loud and clear. It is a form of economic illiteracy from the perspective of Northern Ireland that one would create such a dual regulatory framework because it does not allow for full traceability and it creates challenges for those exporting commodities.

“This has been pointed out to me by the interests concerned and I have pointed this out. Manufacturing in Northern Ireland is saying it has had the best time under the protocol. That needs to be said.”