2021-01-02 13:05:45 GMT2021-01-02 21:05:45(Beijing Time) Xinhua English
LONDON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) The post-Brexit trade deal agreed by Britain and the European Union (EU) last month can be seen to bring both challenges and potential opportunities for Northern Ireland (NI), David Phinnemore, professor of European politics at Queen s University Belfast, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
The fact that there was a deal which allows for zero tariffs, zero quota movement of goods, was welcomed in Northern Ireland, but did not remove frictions that were not clarified in the deal. The deal is obviously much thinner than we thought it was going to be a year ago, it probably does not live up to the expectations that the UK and the EU had when they concluded the withdrawal agreement, said Phinnemore.
The Northern Ireland Protocol governing trade between Great Britain and the region comes into effect when the Brexit transition period ends at 11pm on New Year’s Eve.
Here are answers to some of the main questions about the protocol, its origins and how it will work.
– Why was the protocol needed?
It was the resolution to the main sticking point in the Brexit divorce talks – the Irish border. In order to avoid disrupting cross-border trade and a return of checkpoints along the politically sensitive frontier, the EU and UK essentially agreed to move new regulatory and customs processes to the Irish Sea. That means the checks are now focused on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
BBC News
By John Campbell
Published
image captionBorder control posts have been set up near Belfast s docks
A new trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK will begin operating at 23:00 GMT on Thursday.
The Irish Sea border is a consequence of Brexit.
It means that all commercial goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain will need a customs declaration.
Food products from GB will have to enter through new border control posts at Northern Ireland s ports.
Many food products will also need health certificates and there will be some physical checks.
Some of the new certification processes for food will be phased in over the next three months.
The Northern Ireland Protocol kicks off from tonight - here s what you need to know
New checks and processes on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will come into operation at 11pm tonight. By Press Association Thursday 31 Dec 2020, 12:18 PM Dec 31st 2020, 12:18 PM 49,113 Views 35 Comments
Image: PA
Image: PA
THE NORTHERN IRELAND Protocol governing trade between Great Britain and the region comes into effect when the Brexit transition period ends at 11pm this evening.
Here are answers to some of the main questions about the protocol, its origins and how it will work.
Why was the protocol needed?
It was the resolution to the main sticking point in the Brexit divorce talks – the Irish border.
The continued export of UK meat, fish and dairy to Europe has been confirmed, but industry says ‘crucial information’ has yet to be provided, which is hindering Brexit preparation.
The UK has secured ‘national listed status’ in time for Christmas. Earlier today, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that the UK’s Third Country status means live animals and products of animal origin – such as meat, fish and dairy – can continue to be exported to Europe.
The status was confirmed by the EU after it met the health and biosecurity assurances required for a third country. The decision will also allow the continued movement of equines between the UK and the EU.