AQO 1543/17-22 Oral question to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what engagement he has had with the UK Government on streamlining the process for organic foods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 28 January 2021
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 28 January 2021
- Answer due by
- 8 February 2021
- Answered
- 8 February 202111 days after tabling
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 8 February 2021. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mr Lyons
I thank the Member. I am aware, of course, of the additional requirements being placed on local businesses on the import of organic products from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. I oppose those restrictions within the UK internal market, especially if the product is retained for use within the UK. Those restrictions cause economic harm to Northern Ireland business. Under UK domestic law, Northern Ireland is required to adhere to EU rules and regulations for organic products as a result of the Northern Ireland protocol. Although the EU has recognised GB organic standards as equivalent, organic certificate of inspection checks are required for organic produce that is imported from GB for businesses that produce, prepare, store, import or sell organic products. My officials have been working closely with their counterparts in DEFRA with the aim of alleviating the difficulties that are arising from those additional checks and administration. I will also write to Michael Gove and George Eustice to raise these issues and seek a timely, pragmatic resolution.
Mr Dickson
Welcome, Minister, to your first Question Time and thank you for your answer. I am encouraged by the work that you are doing and, indeed, by the comments that you just made on seeking political solutions to the difficulties that we face in the import and export of goods to and from Northern Ireland. You, Minister, along with your predecessor, also have a statutory duty to perform your functions. I am sure that you would not wish to be in breach of the ministerial code by dragging your feet or working against them.
Mr Lyons
I am not quite sure whether there was a question in there, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, but it is absolutely correct that I am not dragging my feet on anything.
Mrs Barton
Minister, I welcome you to Question Time and wish Mr Poots all the best in his recovery. Is there any progress on removing the barriers to bringing pedigree breeding cattle into Northern Ireland from Great Britain? That has been a problem.
Mr Lyons
Yes, I am aware of that. It is yet another problem associated with the Northern Ireland protocol, and discussions are going on between my Department and relevant Departments in the UK. Some of the changes are unacceptable. It is not only frustrating from a trade and constitutional point of view but some of them are just absurd and unnecessary, and that is why we need to see change.
Mr McHugh
Uimhir a cúig. Ceist 5.