Produce arriving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain that fails Brexit checks will be sent back, according to Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer.
As the Belfast Telegraph reports, Robert Huey said an alternative option would be to destroy any goods that fail to comply with Irish Sea trading rules under the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is designed to maintain the open border on the island of Ireland.
“They can’t retrospectively provide me with certification or provide me with something else,” he warned traders. “If it’s non-compliant, it goes back.”
NI’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEARA) has this week published two guides to help people and businesses navigate the new procedures to follow when moving animals, plants, food and feed from GB to NI when the transition period ends.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Stormont heard in October that Brexit checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea would be “operationally effectives” from the new year even if customs facilities in port are noted on the ground.
Huey said that a short grace period from 1 January will allow businesses time to adjust to the new rules. But from 31 March, certification will be required for all animal food products.
The Belfast Telegraph has more on the story HERE.
