Brexit: Lia Nici slams EU export process at borders
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In a furious outburst, DUP leader Arlene Foster accused Brussels of refusing to compromise despite the severe trade issues which have impacted the UK. Following the crunch joint committee between EU and UK officials on Wednesday, Ms Foster expressed her extreme disappointment at Brussels’ intransigence. The DUP also hit out at Brussels for not even granting the UK a minimal extension to the grace period for goods moving between Northern Ireland and Britain.
Speaking following the meeting, she told UTV: “There hasn’t been a breakthrough and I can’t say I’m surprised, given the attitude of the European Union to the protocol.
“It was a hugely disappointing meeting.
“Even the minimal extensions to the grace period which Michael Gove had asked for were not granted and therefore it seems that the EU’s answer to all of this is more protocol.
“Of course, being tone-deaf to what is actually happening in terms of trade and in terms of identity here in Northern Ireland.”
The meeting on Wednesday was chaired by Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove and EU Commission vice-President Maros Sefcovic.
Both sides met to discuss not only the grace period for goods but also the Northern Ireland protocol as a whole.
Mr Gove had asked for the grace period to be extended until 2023 to help traders but that has so far been rejected by the EU.
Indeed, Brussels has demanded certain IT systems and port infrastructure be set up before any grace period can be extended.
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A joint statement from both sides said on Wednesday: “The parties acknowledged the importance of joint action to make the Protocol work for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.
“In that spirit, the EU and UK reiterated their full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, and to the proper implementation of the Protocol.
“Building on the recent outreach by the Joint Committee co-chairs, there would be further joint engagement with business groups and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
“The UK and the EU underlined their shared commitment to giving effect to those solutions agreed through the Joint Committee on 17 December 2020, without delay.
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“The UK noted that it would provide a new operational plan with respect to supermarkets and their suppliers, alongside additional investment in digital solutions for traders in accordance with the Protocol.”
The Northern Ireland protocol was created to maintain trade between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the EU.
By doing that, however, it has left Northern Ireland in Europe’s single market and some of its customs arrangements.
Due to this, the DUP and other Northern Irish officials have called for the procedure to be scrapped due to the issues caused to trade.
In a letter, former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib, has warned officials could take legal action if the Prime Minister does not take action on the protocol.
He said: “This Government has no intention of unpicking the Northern Irish protocol.
“It has no intention of honouring the Act of Union. It is driving a coach and horses through the union of the United Kingdom.
“We have tried every political means to get the Government to back down but it simply has refused to do so.
“The new news this morning is that we’ve been working with pro-unionist leaders and politicians across Northern Ireland and I’m pleased to say we will be sending a joint letter to the Prime Minister today reminding him of the letter of action sent to Brandon Lewis on Friday and making it clear to the Prime Minister that if he doesn’t act very soon on the issue, judicial proceedings will be launched.”
The European Research Group has also called for the Prime Minister to rip up the agreement.
They insisted, following the turn of the year and due to analysis into trade, the procedure must be scrapped.
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