Supermarkets call for urgent intervention on Northern Ireland’s food supply

THE SUPERMARKET HEADS HAVE TOLD THE UK GOVERNMENT URGENT INTERVENTION IS NEEDED TO PREVENT ANY MORE INTERRUPTIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND’S FOOD SUPPLIES

The CEOs of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Iceland, Co-Op and Marks & Spencer have written to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove.

Sold out shelves in several supermarkets have been seen in the early days of the new year as Britain’s trade has been affected as companies adjust to new requirements to move products across the Irish Sea.

Export health certificates are required for food products of animal origin moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland as a result of the region remaining in the EU’s single market for goods.

Since Northern Ireland also applies EU customs rules in its ports, customs declarations are required for products shipped from the rest of the UK.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “A new dedicated team has already been set up in Government that will work with supermarkets, the food industry and the Northern Ireland Executive to develop ways to streamline the movement of goods in accordance with the protocol”.

Northern Ireland is following some of the EU rules to avoid a strict border on the island of Ireland. It is part of the protocol that the United Kingdom agreed with Europe.

The UK government added: “The grace period for supermarkets and their suppliers is working well, products continue to flow effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and we are working intensively with the industry as new requirements emerge.” .

Carriers are spending tens of thousands of pounds bringing empty trucks back to Northern Ireland after outbound deliveries, an industry spokesman said.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “A small quantity of our products are temporarily unavailable to our customers in Northern Ireland while border agreements are confirmed.

“We were prepared for this, so our customers will find a wide range of alternative products in our stores in the meantime and we are working hard to get back to our full regular range soon.”