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The Protocol is contained in the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and will mean customs and regulatory formalities on all goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland from 1 January. This will mean an entirely new regime of customs declarations, veterinary inspections, costs and paperwork. "We desperately need technical detail from the UK Government. We also need a generosity of spirit from the EU to allow derogations to facilitate mitigations. This is going to take movement from both side to make this work"
This could mean the checks and controls happening on company premises before goods leave Great Britain. "We still have a dialogue with the EU through the [European Commission] Taskforce UK, but the level of engagement with the UK government just isn't there", says Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI.
However, the EU believes that goods leaving Northern Ireland must be accompanied by an exit summary declaration. The NIBBWG says the UK needs to provide clarity on this. For example, says Mr Leheny, a 20 tonne load of meat entering the single market means a control fee of €180, a further €7 for checking documents and €7 for ensuring the seal number on the lorry corresponds to the paperwork.
An EU official downplayed any prospect of an adjustment period that would postpone the introduction of the Protocol beyond January 1, pointing out that the UK government has had the transition period, which came into effect at the end of January, to prepare for the changes..
NIAEUMatters Interesting 🤔