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Brexit: No checks on goods between NI and GB, says PM | Brexit: No checks on goods between NI and GB, says PM |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The Prime Minister has briefed Conservative party members in Northern Ireland on his Brexit deal. | The Prime Minister has briefed Conservative party members in Northern Ireland on his Brexit deal. |
The Brexit deal has major implications for Northern Ireland. | The Brexit deal has major implications for Northern Ireland. |
The region will continue to follow many EU rules on food and other manufactured goods, while the rest of the UK will not. | The region will continue to follow many EU rules on food and other manufactured goods, while the rest of the UK will not. |
Northern Ireland will still be part of the UK's customs territory, but it will also continue to follow EU customs rules. | Northern Ireland will still be part of the UK's customs territory, but it will also continue to follow EU customs rules. |
This is likely to mean new bureaucracy for trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. | This is likely to mean new bureaucracy for trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. |
A clip of the briefing has been widely shared on social media. So did Boris Johnson get all the details correct? | |
1. "There will not be checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain." | |
This is a long standing UK government policy. | This is a long standing UK government policy. |
In 2017, it promised that Northern Ireland companies would continue to have "unfettered access" to the rest of the UK, no matter what the Brexit outcome. | In 2017, it promised that Northern Ireland companies would continue to have "unfettered access" to the rest of the UK, no matter what the Brexit outcome. |
The Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has previously said there would be "limited targeted interventions" on trade from Northern Ireland into Great Britain. | The Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has previously said there would be "limited targeted interventions" on trade from Northern Ireland into Great Britain. |
Last month Mr Barclay said goods going from NI to GB would be subject to exit declarations. | Last month Mr Barclay said goods going from NI to GB would be subject to exit declarations. |
He said this would amount to the filing of an electronic form, involving "fairly straightforward data". | He said this would amount to the filing of an electronic form, involving "fairly straightforward data". |
The question then arises whether checks would ever have to be carried out to verify the accuracy of what is in the form. | The question then arises whether checks would ever have to be carried out to verify the accuracy of what is in the form. |
The prime minister says no, but many trade experts are sceptical about whether a policy of no checks can be maintained in the long term. | The prime minister says no, but many trade experts are sceptical about whether a policy of no checks can be maintained in the long term. |
However, the precise details of how it would all work are yet to be explained. | However, the precise details of how it would all work are yet to be explained. |
2. "There will not be tariffs or checks on goods coming from GB to NI that are not going on to Ireland." | |
This is highly unlikely - when it comes to checks. | This is highly unlikely - when it comes to checks. |
The deal means that Northern Ireland will remain part of a 'single regulatory zone' with the Republic of Ireland, a zone which will apply EU rules. | The deal means that Northern Ireland will remain part of a 'single regulatory zone' with the Republic of Ireland, a zone which will apply EU rules. |
The EU has particularly strict rules on the importation of "products of animal origin", that is to say meat, fish and dairy products. | The EU has particularly strict rules on the importation of "products of animal origin", that is to say meat, fish and dairy products. |
These products must enter the EU through a border inspection post where all shipments are subject to document checks and a high proportion are physically checked. | These products must enter the EU through a border inspection post where all shipments are subject to document checks and a high proportion are physically checked. |
Products of animal origin from GB entering NI would be subject to these checks whether they are destined for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. | Products of animal origin from GB entering NI would be subject to these checks whether they are destined for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. |
A few countries, like New Zealand, have a deal with the EU where only 1% of consignments are checked. | A few countries, like New Zealand, have a deal with the EU where only 1% of consignments are checked. |
It is possible that the UK could negotiate a similar deal, but it will not be able to eliminate checks entirely unless the whole of the UK is going to stay in the single market. | It is possible that the UK could negotiate a similar deal, but it will not be able to eliminate checks entirely unless the whole of the UK is going to stay in the single market. |
The current political declaration, which sets out the broad shape of the future EU-UK relationship, suggests that is unlikely. | The current political declaration, which sets out the broad shape of the future EU-UK relationship, suggests that is unlikely. |
There is a second issue to do with tariffs. | There is a second issue to do with tariffs. |
Goods which enter NI from GB and which are to be consumed in NI will not have tariffs charged. | Goods which enter NI from GB and which are to be consumed in NI will not have tariffs charged. |
However, some classes of goods which are deemed 'at risk' of being moved onward to the Republic of Ireland or the wider EU could be subject to tariffs. | However, some classes of goods which are deemed 'at risk' of being moved onward to the Republic of Ireland or the wider EU could be subject to tariffs. |
If those goods are shown to have been consumed in Northern Ireland, then the tariff can be rebated. | If those goods are shown to have been consumed in Northern Ireland, then the tariff can be rebated. |
The definition of "at risk" and the rebate system will have to be negotiated during the post-Brexit transition period. | The definition of "at risk" and the rebate system will have to be negotiated during the post-Brexit transition period. |
3. "Northern Ireland has got a great deal. You keep free movement. You keep access to the single market." | |
It is not completely clear what the Prime Minister means by 'free movement' in this context. | It is not completely clear what the Prime Minister means by 'free movement' in this context. |
Free movement of people is one of the core principles of the European Union. | Free movement of people is one of the core principles of the European Union. |
It gives all citizens of EU countries the right to travel, live and work wherever they wish within the EU. | It gives all citizens of EU countries the right to travel, live and work wherever they wish within the EU. |
The government has promised to end free movement and this will also apply in Northern Ireland. | The government has promised to end free movement and this will also apply in Northern Ireland. |
It seems that Mr Johnson was referring to the continuation of the Common Travel Area after Brexit. | It seems that Mr Johnson was referring to the continuation of the Common Travel Area after Brexit. |
It is an arrangement between the UK and Ireland which pre-dates the formation of the EU. | It is an arrangement between the UK and Ireland which pre-dates the formation of the EU. |
It allows passport-free travel between the UK and Ireland and gives British and Irish citizens a range of rights in each other's countries. | It allows passport-free travel between the UK and Ireland and gives British and Irish citizens a range of rights in each other's countries. |
On the single market, it is correct that Northern Ireland will have better access to the EU's single market for goods compared to the rest of the UK. | On the single market, it is correct that Northern Ireland will have better access to the EU's single market for goods compared to the rest of the UK. |
However, this does not extend to the single market for services. | However, this does not extend to the single market for services. |