New rules affecting GB-NI sheep trade 'will be catastrophic' 19 December 2020 | Northern Irish farmers rely heavily on sourcing breeding stock from the British mainland Looming restrictions affecting the trade of sheep between the British mainland and Northern Ireland will create 'catastrophic consequences' for the sector, a body has warned. Following the release of the NI command paper on 10 December, all movements of live animals between GB and NI will be classified as an EU movement. Sheep industry groups fear the restrictions on movements, to be imposed from 1 January 2021, would add more bureaucracy and red tape to a sector already fearful of Brexit.