AQO 3215/17-22

Ms Cara Hunter
Social Democratic and Labour Party
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 17/02/2022
Answered On Date: 02/03/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on discussions on a veterinary agreement between the UK and the EU.

Answer:

AQO 3215

Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, the Northern Ireland Protocol and domestic legislation, Northern Ireland (NI) continues to align with the European Union’s sanitary and phyto-sanitary , or “SPS”, rules.

I am firmly opposed to the detrimental impact of these rules on Northern Ireland’s businesses and consumers, and the barriers they place on the movement of animals, goods and products within the United Kingdom, from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The establishment of a common SPS area, under the terms of a potential veterinary agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union could assist in facilitating trade in live animals and agri-food products, which would be welcome; however, it would not address the entirety of the new rules associated with implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

I have already engaged with my Ministerial Colleagues here and in London, and will continue to engage with them, to explore all available options that can minimise the impact of the requirements of the NI Protocol on intra-UK trade.

Nevertheless, responsibility on any future alignment of the United Kingdom with the European Union’s SPS rules, as well as the negotiation of any veterinary agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, rests solely with the United Kingdom Government.