UK seeks to change post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol
Visit our blog to see how the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol is affecting the UK, prompting its government to call for changes to the protocol's customs procedures and other regulations.
When Brexit came into effect at the end of 2020, it triggered changes in the way the UK traded with other European nations. A new protocol soon came into force, governing how countries transport goods between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, it has already caused disagreements with the European Union (EU), resulting in numerous conflicts, such as a recent one over the transport of sausages and other meats, medicines, and animals. The UK government is thus calling for urgent amendments to the Northern Ireland Protocol in order to remedy these disagreements.
Keeping an Open Border in Ireland
The Northern Ireland protocol came into effect after Brexit to avoid the formation of a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. The treaty states that Northern Ireland remains legally in the UK Customs Territory, meaning that it will be part of any future trade deals the UK strikes with other nations. However, for Northern Ireland to transport goods smoothly over the border to the Republic of Ireland, it must also stick to some EU rules.
Part of the reason for maintaining free trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic was to protect the 1998 Good Friday agreement. As a result, keeping their land borders open without the need for new infrastructure, including cameras and border posts, was a priority.
How Brexit is Different for Northern Ireland
When the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were both part of the EU, keeping borders open was simple. However, because Northern Ireland is now no longer part of the union, special agreements are urgent and vital for this country. Citizens in Northern Ireland have the option for Irish citizenship, meaning that those in Northern Ireland can maintain their EU citizenships.
In terms of trade, the UK can currently sell goods to EU countries without tariffs, thanks to the official deal at the end of 2020. However, UK businesses wishing to trade with the union now face trade barriers such as an increased need for paperwork, certifications, and checks. As Northern Ireland effectively remains within the EU single market, it does not face these additional non-tariff barriers, thus retaining free movement between Northern Ireland and the Republic due to the Northern Ireland protocol.
What Does the UK Government Want to Change about the Northern Ireland Protocol?
While UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed the agreement, he has since vocalized his concern that the UK has had to compromise greatly and that the EU is applying harsh non-tariff barriers.
The UK government therefore wants to abolish many of these checks and customs procedures to allow goods to move out of the UK more freely. Additionally, the UK government is looking to remove the European Commission and the European Court of Justice from overseeing the protocol. While negotiations are in progress, the UK government has called for a freeze on all legal action to seriously encourage the EU to consider its proposals.
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