Written question asked by Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated) on Tuesday, 6 February 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 February 2024. It was answered by Lord Douglas-Miller (Conservative) on Thursday, 22 February 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Import Controls: Northern Ireland

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to repeal the Official Controls (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023.

Answer

No. As set out in the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper, the internal market system will ensure the smooth flow of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland for internal UK trade. In line with the Government’s commitments since 2021, these arrangements establish individual schemes that can be used only by UK internal market traders, to preserve those benefits for UK traders and to maintain the smooth flow of that trade.

Checks on Internal UK movements under the scheme will be removed except those conducted by UK authorities and required as part of a risk-based or intelligence-led approach to tackle criminality, abuse of the scheme, smuggling and disease risks.

Goods moving on to the EU will continue to face necessary checks and controls.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL2237
Session: 2023-24
Subjects: Import controls Northern Ireland
Legislation: Official Controls (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Import Controls: Northern Ireland

Secondary information

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