AQW 20606/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/06/2021
Answered On Date: 09/07/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the work he is doing to ensure the ongoing supply of kosher meats to Northern Ireland from 2022 onwards.

Answer:

You will be aware of Northern Ireland’s obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol to continue to align with the European Union’s sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) rules and my firm opposition to the detrimental impact of the mandated additional rules on the intra-United Kingdom (UK) movement of animals, goods and products, from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI). Restrictions on the supply of Kosher Meats to the local community are solely a consequence of the unnecessary new requirements created by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

I recently met with Lord Frost and Secretary of State Brandon Lewis, to further discuss issues arising from the practical application of the Northern Ireland Protocol and I have clearly presented my assessment of its social and economic impact upon NI, as part of the UK. Please be assured that I will continue to engage with my Ministerial colleagues across the UK, and my officials will do the same with their GB counterparts, to consider all available flexibilities, derogations and potential mitigations that could help to minimise the current impact on trade.

To date my officials have been able to facilitate the continued supply of kosher meats from Great Britain to Northern Ireland because of the special arrangements for retail goods and chilled meat products. If these arrangements are phased out it will be more difficult for GB traders to obtain the certification necessary for these products to move, due to the small volumes involved.

DAERA is currently working with DEFRA officials to establish supply lines and certification capabilities to ensure continuity of supply of all foods including kosher meats. My officials will also raise this particular matter in technical discussions with European Union officials.