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Brexit: What are the backstop options? Brexit: What are the backstop options?
(about 1 month later)
A key part of the Brexit negotiations has been the border that separates Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.A key part of the Brexit negotiations has been the border that separates Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The border is a matter of great political, security and diplomatic sensitivity in Ireland.The border is a matter of great political, security and diplomatic sensitivity in Ireland.
Therefore the UK and EU agreed that whatever happens as a result of Brexit there should be no new physical checks or infrastructure at the frontier.Therefore the UK and EU agreed that whatever happens as a result of Brexit there should be no new physical checks or infrastructure at the frontier.
This is where the controversial "backstop" comes in.This is where the controversial "backstop" comes in.
Why might the backstop be needed?Why might the backstop be needed?
At present, goods and services are traded between the two jurisdictions with few restrictions.At present, goods and services are traded between the two jurisdictions with few restrictions.
That is because the UK and Ireland are part of the EU's single market and customs union, so products do not need to be inspected for customs or standards.That is because the UK and Ireland are part of the EU's single market and customs union, so products do not need to be inspected for customs or standards.
But after Brexit, all that could change - the two parts of Ireland could be in different customs and regulatory regimes, which could mean products being checked at the border.But after Brexit, all that could change - the two parts of Ireland could be in different customs and regulatory regimes, which could mean products being checked at the border.
The preference of both sides is to prevent this happening through a deep and comprehensive trade deal.The preference of both sides is to prevent this happening through a deep and comprehensive trade deal.
However, the UK's red lines, which include leaving the customs union and the single market, could make that very difficult. However, the UK's ambition to leave the customs union and the single market, could make that very difficult.
And if both sides couldn't reach agreement on a deal keeping the border as open as it is now - that's where the backstop would come in.And if both sides couldn't reach agreement on a deal keeping the border as open as it is now - that's where the backstop would come in.
So how might it it work? There are several options:So how might it it work? There are several options:
A Northern Ireland only backstop?A Northern Ireland only backstop?
This is what the EU originally proposed.This is what the EU originally proposed.
It would involve Northern Ireland alone remaining in the EU's single market and customs union, leaving Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) free to strike trade deals.It would involve Northern Ireland alone remaining in the EU's single market and customs union, leaving Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) free to strike trade deals.
But the DUP - a Northern Ireland unionist party that propped up Theresa May's minority Conservative government - objected to this.But the DUP - a Northern Ireland unionist party that propped up Theresa May's minority Conservative government - objected to this.
It said it would see Northern Ireland treated differently and could threaten the union.It said it would see Northern Ireland treated differently and could threaten the union.
Boris Johnson has also specifically ruled this out.
A UK-wide backstop?A UK-wide backstop?
After the DUP's objections, Mrs May agreed a backstop involving the whole of the UK retaining a very close relationship with the EU - staying in the customs union - for an indefinite period.After the DUP's objections, Mrs May agreed a backstop involving the whole of the UK retaining a very close relationship with the EU - staying in the customs union - for an indefinite period.
It would also see Northern Ireland staying even more closely tied to some rules of the EU single market.It would also see Northern Ireland staying even more closely tied to some rules of the EU single market.
These arrangements would apply unless and until both the EU and UK agree they are no longer necessary.These arrangements would apply unless and until both the EU and UK agree they are no longer necessary.
What are the Brexit backstop options?
The backstop would not apply if the UK left the EU without a deal but the potential problems with the border would remain.The backstop would not apply if the UK left the EU without a deal but the potential problems with the border would remain.
Opposition to the backstopOpposition to the backstop
The backstop plan was agreed by UK-EU negotiators and formed part of Theresa May's withdrawal agreement in November 2018 (often referred to as the Brexit "divorce deal").The backstop plan was agreed by UK-EU negotiators and formed part of Theresa May's withdrawal agreement in November 2018 (often referred to as the Brexit "divorce deal").
It sparked a backlash from many Conservative MPs (and the DUP) at Westminster and several of her own ministers resigned in protest.It sparked a backlash from many Conservative MPs (and the DUP) at Westminster and several of her own ministers resigned in protest.
They feared that the backstop would be used to permanently trap the UK in the EU customs union, preventing the country from striking its own trade deals.They feared that the backstop would be used to permanently trap the UK in the EU customs union, preventing the country from striking its own trade deals.
In March 2019, the EU and UK agreed a joint interpretation of the backstop, clarifying the earlier deal. Ultimately, her deal was voted down three times, leading to her resignation.
It explained the ways in which the UK could start a "formal dispute" against the EU, if it tried to keep the UK tied into the backstop indefinitely.
This was intended to help Theresa May win parliamentary support for the backstop.
But her deal was voted down three times, leading to her resignation.
An alternative plan?An alternative plan?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is committed to "getting rid" of the backstop, describing it as "anti-democratic".Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is committed to "getting rid" of the backstop, describing it as "anti-democratic".
The UK government has floated the idea of a single zone on the island of Ireland for food standards. His government has instead proposed the idea of a "single regulatory zone" on the island of Ireland.
The EU has a strict rule that products from a non-member state must be checked at the point of entry. That would mean Northern Ireland continuing to follow EU rules on animal health, food safety and manufactured goods.
And many trade experts suggest the only way to prevent those checks at the Irish border would be for the two parts of the island to have the same standards. It would effectively mean a new regulatory border in the Irish Sea with checks and controls at ports.
In effect, that would mean Northern Ireland would have to continue to follow EU standards. The DUP say they can accept this as long as there is a role for the Northern Ireland Assembly to give ongoing consent to these arrangements.
And that would mean some food products coming from elsewhere in the UK would be subject to new checks and controls at Northern Ireland ports. On customs, the UK has said Northern Ireland must leave the EU customs union.
In fact, the island of Ireland is already a single zone for animal health, which means all livestock coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain is checked on entry. However the Prime Minister believes checks at the Irish frontier can be avoided by instead having customs processes mainly at company premises.
The DUP has not ruled out a single food standards zone. The EU is sceptical about this and the latest negotiations have focused largely on customs.
But the Irish government is sceptical about the proposal.
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said: "It's not enough on its own.
"We would need a single Irish economic zone, or whatever you would like to call it, to cover more than agriculture and food."
Alternative arrangementsAlternative arrangements
Many Brexit supporters say what are known as "alternative arrangements" could be used to avoid checks at the border.Many Brexit supporters say what are known as "alternative arrangements" could be used to avoid checks at the border.
The phrase is normally used to refer to technical or technological solutions.The phrase is normally used to refer to technical or technological solutions.
These include things like trusted traders schemes and using GPS to track lorries.These include things like trusted traders schemes and using GPS to track lorries.
The prime minister seems to be suggesting that these would work alongside an-all Ireland food standards zone.
The EU has committed to working on alternative arrangements but has said no systems which could solve the border problem are currently "operational".The EU has committed to working on alternative arrangements but has said no systems which could solve the border problem are currently "operational".
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