Post-Brexit grace period extended for UK food arriving in NI; EU says it 'violates' good faith

The British Government has decided the grace period for certain food supplies arriving in Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK will continue until October.

There will be a phased introduction of certification requirements, to avoid traders being overwhelmed by "disruptive" extra red-tape.

Secretary of State says it's part of a "pragmatic and proportionate implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol".

The Protocol has meant checks on some good are mandatory at Northern Ireland's Ports.

However, the European Commission says the UK's unilateral action is a "violation" of the Northern Ireland Protocol, and the "good faith" obligation under he Brexit divorce deal.

These sea checks were agreed between the UK and the EU to avoid a hard border on the Island of Ireland.

Brandon Lewis said: "These (changes) recognise that appropriate time must be provided for businesses to implement new requirements, and support the effective flow of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.''

"For supermarkets and their suppliers, as part of the operational plan the UK committed to at the UK-EU Joint Committee on February 24, the current Scheme for Temporary Agri-food Movements to Northern Ireland (STAMNI) will continue until October 1.

"Certification requirements will then be introduced in phases alongside the rollout of the Digital Assistance Scheme.''

He said further guidance will be provided later this week on parcel movements from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, to provide necessary additional time for traders beyond April 1.

"Guidance will also be set out to help address practical problems on soil attached to the movement of plants, seeds, bulbs, vegetables and agricultural machinery.''

Under the terms of the protocol, which governs the movement of goods in and out of the region post-Brexit, all non-prohibited agri-food goods arriving from GB require an EU export health certificate (EHC) declaring that they pose no risk.

They are a consequence of a Brexit deal that has resulted in Northern Ireland remaining in the EU single market for goods, while the rest of the UK has left that regulatory zone.

The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney expressed concern at the grace period action.

He said: "The decision taken by the British Government today clearly undermines this commitment.

"A unilateral announcement is deeply unhelpful to building the relationship of trust and partnership that is central to the implementation of the Protocol.

"I met earlier today with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis and with the Cabinet Office Minister now responsible for EU-UK relations Lord Frost.

"I made clear to them my regret that the UK had moved in a unilateral way, rather than working in continued partnership with the EU in accordance with the EU-UK joint statements of 11 and 24 February.''

Sinn Fein's Leader described the solo-run as unneccessary.