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DUP and Sinn Féin leaders have sent a joint letter to the European Commission describing as “unacceptable” the alleged threat to the continuity of existing food supplies in Northern supermarkets once the Northern Ireland Protocol enters into force. .
The letter, seen by RTÉ News and signed by Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill, highlights the problem of the need for checks and balances on food products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain as of January 1 and how that it could affect the food supply to supermarket chains.
The Prime Ministers and Deputy Prime Ministers write: “It is difficult to imagine a more fundamental aspect of daily life than the daily grocery shopping. Therefore, we ask you to recognize how important it is that the current consideration of the detail of how the Protocol is implemented. will apply taking into account our unique context. ”
Under the protocol, food and animal derived products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain will be subject to the EU’s food safety regime, meaning that so-called sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls will be required on a range of products destined for the supermarket shelves.
EU and UK officials have been grappling with the issue through the Joint Committee, established under the Withdrawal Agreement to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Industry representatives say thousands of goods in truck containers may require EU export health certificates to enter Northern Ireland.
In a letter to the EU representative in the Joint Committee, the Vice President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, First and Deputy Prime Minister, said: “Last week, there was a meeting that included representatives of our main supermarkets here.
“These representatives have emphasized how critical the current situation is, with a real threat to the continuity of the supply of food and other existing products in our market, unless these problems are urgently addressed and solutions are found.”
They added: “This is an unacceptable situation for us, especially so late in the process.”
The two leaders say they welcome the “constructive work” that both parties have done and acknowledge that they seek “a pragmatic application of the principles and purpose of SPS controls.”
They refer to the “best efforts” clause within the protocol, which they say “can and should ensure a result that guarantees the normal flow of agri-food products to our people.”
The ministers say that any outcome leading to “material price increases and / or reduction of options for consumers would be an unacceptable consequence that could not have been anyone’s intention when the Withdrawal Agreement was resolved.”
The letter says: “We clearly recognize the absolute importance of sanitary and phytosanitary controls for the European Commission and the Member States and we want to make it clear that we are not asking for anything that creates any kind of risk to health.
“We are hopeful and confident that with good will and pragmatism an agreed approach can be established and applied. In any event, we are doing everything we can to ensure that the necessary processes are in place to ensure that goods can flow through. from our ports of entry at the end of the Transition Period. “
The UK has been seeking blanket waivers or facilities covering foodstuffs moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
However, the European Commission and member states are concerned that EU food safety regulations are being respected to protect consumer health.
After 1 January, all goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain will theoretically be able to move through the single market. Products that are food products or derived from animal products will not have been produced according to EU food standards.
There have been reports that some UK supermarket chains may close their outlets in Northern Ireland or reduce the range of products destined for Northern Ireland.
The letter reads: “We look forward to an urgent resolution of these issues, as companies here need clarity as soon as possible on the precise details of the changes that will affect them. Therefore, we look forward to seeing the important decisions resolved and confirmed at the next meeting. of the Joint Committee “.
Ms Foster and Ms O’Neill say that some of the issues will be simplified with the conclusion of a free trade agreement, “but urgent action to resolve the issues of the Protocol does not need and should not depend on that process.”
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