The EU is close to agreeing to a truce between Northern Ireland and the UK on chilled meat

The EU is close to agreeing to a truce between Northern Ireland and the UK on chilled meat

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The European Union and the United Kingdom are about to reach a ceasefire agreement on cargo inspections crossing the Irish Sea. This move will lead to long-term issues regarding the implementation of the Brexit agreement that remain unresolved.

The European Commission is expected to extend the grace period by three months before the restrictions take effect Export of cold fresh meat products The diplomat said from England to Northern Ireland.

According to people familiar with the matter, EU Brexit Commissioner Maros Sefcovic gave a relatively optimistic assessment of the prospects for reaching an interim understanding with London in a conversation with diplomats on Wednesday.

The EU’s proposed extension will be subject to a wide range of conditions, including Britain’s commitment to seek longer-term, more sustainable solutions for trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and measures to ensure that the single market is not threatened.

If approved by the Council of the European Union, this extension will mark the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s warning at the G7 summit earlier this month that he will not hesitate to suspend part of the Northern Ireland Brexit agreement unless earlier this month Time to upgrade.The EU stops dealing with this issue “Theology is harsh” Method.

This Northern Ireland Agreement Avoid restoring the north-south trade border in Ireland, but conduct new inspections of goods from the UK to Northern Ireland to prevent them from passing through the region and entering the EU single market.

The EU only allows trade in frozen processed meat products and has a “grace period” to allow Continue to sell British sausages, Northern Ireland’s ground beef and chicken nuggets will expire at the end of June.

The United Kingdom claims that the European Union wants to implement inspections of trade between the two components of the country in an unfairly restrictive manner.

However, the British government is more optimistic that it will agree to an interim agreement to extend the grace period, although it has not yet been formally confirmed.

“We have heard more positive voices, although it has not been set in stone. Like other grace periods, we expect to extend it by three months to September,” said a senior government official.

Lord David Frost, Secretary of State for Brexit, On Tuesday, the Special Committee on Foreign Affairs told members of Congress: “We have proposed an extension of the grace period for frozen meat. The grace period will expire soon. I know that both parties are considering this very actively. I don’t want to leave it to anyone. The impression that nothing happened. A lot of things are happening, with participation in one or two areas, and more difficult in other areas.”

Trade groups affected by the deadlock said they welcome any action to postpone the ban, but have repeatedly warned that if there is no veterinary agreement, a temporary solution will not promote trade.

Shane Brennan, CEO of the Cold Chain Federation, which represents the refrigerated logistics industry, said that the extension is a sign of constructive dialogue, but it must be used to find solutions—especially veterinary agreements for meat and dairy products. .

“Temporary delays, partial exemptions and complex digital processes are not enough to give companies the confidence to restart transactions. Without this, the smallest companies will be affected,” he said.

Odan Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Union, said the extension would be a “good start”, but both parties need to carry out political campaigns to create a stable trading environment for businesses and families in Northern Ireland.

“Businesses are frustrated that we can see solutions, such as the Trusted Trader Program, but we have not carried out the required political campaigns. The extension is a welcome move and a good start, but more is needed ——And be fast,” he added.



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