John McGrane, Director General of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce said that businesses in Ireland and across the UK can breathe "a collective sigh of relief" today.
The CEO of the representative body for exporters in Ireland, has warned that while reaching a deal is significant, it does not change the fact that customs and SPS checks will be applied from 1st January 2021. "Today's announcement means that Irish exporters and importers will not have to operate under cumbersome and very expensive WTO rules, however there will still be changes and increased costs to trade and I want to make sure that businesses are not blind sighted by today’s important announcement and disregard preparations already made.
However, Mr McCoy said the trading conditions for Irish business with our nearest neighbour will be very different, involving complex customs procedures and more costly transport options. Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association Chair Nick Whelan said that, while preferable to a no-deal scenario, there is still clarity needed around bureaucracy and dispute resolution.
"If the Northern Ireland protocol is to be durable, the UK and EU will need to address the challenges to local consumers of reduced choice and increased cost as a result of new administrative burdens on GB NI trade," said Mr Whelan.Food Drink Ireland , the Ibec group representing the food and drink sector, has also welcomed the agreement reached.
"Reaching agreement on measures to ease and facilitate customs and SPS requirements should now be a priority for both sides.
Except no one knows what the bleeding deal is yet.
Just waiting for Nephet to recommend shutting it down 😂😂