UK government reaches new trade milestone for Northern Ireland businesses
New arrangements ensure full benefits for traders
The UK and EU have today (16 May) ratified a new set of arrangements which will ensure Northern Ireland traders can fully benefit from the UK바카라 사이트檚 independent free trade policy.
The deal means over 13,000 tons of lamb, beef, and poultry including from key FTA partners such as Australia and New Zealand will now be covered by UK tariff rate quotas. This will significantly benefit Northern Ireland businesses, and further cements Northern Ireland바카라 사이트檚 integral place in the UK.
The solution follows months of intensive engagement with businesses and is a significant milestone in implementing the 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 commitments to Northern Ireland바카라 사이트檚 prosperity under the Safeguarding the Union command paper published in February this year. The new arrangements will be available alongside the new UK Internal Market system from 30 September 2024.
The new quota regime allows Northern Ireland바카라 사이트檚 businesses to access the same benefits and opportunities as the rest of the UK, while maintaining sufficient protection for farmers. It addresses a key problem with the old Protocol, where businesses exporting their goods could benefit from UK Free Trade Agreements but those importing higher tariff products like meat into Northern Ireland could not benefit from UK trading arrangements.
The agreement, reached in January 2024, has been welcomed by Northern Ireland agri-food industry groups including IMTA.
Minister of State for the Northern Ireland Office Steve Baker said:
바카라 사이트淭his major milestone illustrates the UK 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 commitment to maximising trade and opportunities for Northern Ireland바카라 사이트檚 businesses.
바카라 사이트淭his unique arrangement聽will mean NI importers will be able to benefit from UK Free Trade Agreements, further cementing Northern Ireland바카라 사이트檚 place in the UK. I look forward to our further work to safeguard the Union.바카라 사이트�
The International Meat Trade Association said:聽
바카라 사이트淚MTA welcome today바카라 사이트檚 ratification of the Tariff Rate Quota solution for meat imports into Northern Ireland. We have long advocated for a solution to address this trade barrier and facilitate this crucial supply to NI. We look forward to understanding the details and collaborate with government and industry towards its effective implementation later this year.바카라 사이트�
The deal was ratified by Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Vice President Maro拧 艩ef膷ovi膷聽at today바카라 사이트檚 Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee in Brussels. Full guidance will be published in due course to ensure traders are ready to benefit from the new arrangements.
Today바카라 사이트檚 announcement is the latest example of the 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 commitment to further cement Northern Ireland바카라 사이트檚 place in the UK.
In March we established horticulture and veterinary medicines working groups to advise the government and work through any remaining issues, and both groups have now met twice. We have also successfully lifted the ban on the movement of common hazel trees and we are in active dialogue on lifting bans on a further five species such as sweet cherry.
Elsewhere, we held the inaugural meeting of the East-West Council on 26 March to discuss the main priorities for the Council바카라 사이트檚 work programme. Its aim is to strengthen cooperation between Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK by advising on shared challenges and opportunities with an East-West dimension, such as trade promotion, culture and skills.
The 바카라 사이트 is also providing聽 拢150 million to develop an Enhanced Investment Zone in Northern Ireland to help businesses capitalize on its unique opportunities.