Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government in what circumstances the arrangements for the movement from Great Britain to Northern Ireland of medicinal products and medical devices set out in EU Regulation 2023/1182 can be revoked.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
1 January marked the start of the new arrangements for medicines under the Windsor Framework, ensuring that all medicines can be supplied UK-wide in the same packaging under a single UK licence. The new arrangements have resolved the supply risks created by the Northern Ireland Protocol. The UK Government has worked intensively with industry to ensure a smooth transition.
The UK supplied a Written Guarantee to the EU in accordance with Regulation 2023/1182, following receipt of which, the measures came into force on 1 January 2025.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consultations they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive about its negotiations with the European Union on trade.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to working with the Northern Ireland Executive and the other devolved administrations to ensure that every part of the UK benefits from an improved trading relationship with the EU, as part of our wider reset
The Paymaster General and Minister for EU Relations most recently chaired a meeting of the Interministeral Group on UK-EU Relations in December 2024, which was attended by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. The Government will seek to continue this cooperation as the UK-EU reset progresses.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 6 February (HL4532), what are the names of the representatives of (1) the Ulster Farmers’ Union, (2) the National Farmers’ Union, (3) the Horticulture Trades Association, and (4) the businesses, who are members of the Horticultural Working Group.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL4532 on 6th February 2025. To protect the identities of individuals which are not in the public domain, it is not possible to disclose the names of individual members of bodies which are part of the Group.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL4030), what are the (1) names or (2) job titles of the members of the Veterinary Medicines Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The names and affiliations of members of the Veterinary Medicines Working Group are included in the Terms of Reference, which have been deposited in the House of Commons and House of Lords libraries.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 28 January (HL4028), what are the (1) names or (2) job titles of the members of the Horticulture Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Horticulture Working Group is co-chaired by senior officials from DEFRA and the Cabinet Office, drawing on support from other officials in those departments and across Government as the focus of the agenda requires. Members of the group from outside Government include representatives of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, National Farmers’ Union, the Horticulture Trades Association and leaders of businesses which are members of this body, as well as a small number of other horticultural businesses.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 January 2025 (HL3924), what stage has been reached in each of the active infringement proceedings against the UK; and on what date each was commenced
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The list of active infringement proceedings against the United Kingdom is set out below:
INFR(2020)2202 - Incorrect transposition of the Free Movement Directive by the United Kingdom commenced on 14/05/2020 and has been referred to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
INFR(2011)2054 - Comprehensive sickness insurance requirement and treatment of extended family members with prior residence in the UK commenced on 16/06/2011 and has been referred to the CJEU.
INFR(2016)2150 - Termination of the Intra-EU Bilateral Investment Treaties commenced on 14/05/2020 and has been referred to the CJEU.
INFR(2022)2059 - Non-provision by the United Kingdom of external trade statistics in respect of Northern Ireland, as required by the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland commenced on 15/06/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
INFR(2021)2039 - Non-compliance with EU law requirements concerning the movement of agri-food, parcels and pet travel commenced on 15/03/2021 and remains at the reasoned opinion stage.
INFR(2022)2060 - Incorrect implementation by the UK of EU's sanitary and phytosanitary rules, as required by the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland to the Withdrawal Agreement commenced on 15/06/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
INFR(2022)2064 - Failure of the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland to implement the Import One Stop Shop for distance sales of imported goods commenced on 22/07/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
INFR(2022)2062 - Incorrect implementation of the EU customs legislation by the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland commenced on 22/07/2022 and remains at the formal notice stage.
Infractions 4-8 above relate to the Northern Ireland Protocol and were opened before the UK and EU subsequently agreed the Windsor Framework.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 December 2024 (HL3387), who are the members of the Veterinary Medicines Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Veterinary Medicines Working Group consists of veterinary experts, including members of the House of Lords and Commons with a veterinary background and representatives of veterinary associations; other political representatives with an interest in the matter; and trade associations representing industry such as pharmaceutical manufacturers, wholesalers and farmers. The updated Terms of Reference, which includes the full list of members, will be deposited in the House of Commons and House of Lords libraries shortly.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 December 2024 (HL3387), what secretarial support is being provided to the Horticulture Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework; how many meetings have taken evidence; and whether there is any timetable for the group to reach conclusions.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Officials in the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs act as the secretariat, supporting the organisation of the Working Group and preparing papers for the Group’s consideration. The group has met twice in 2024 under the current government, with further meetings scheduled in 2025. The next scheduled meeting of the Group is due to take place in February. The group will identify and resolve issues related to the movement of plants and seeds between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework on an ongoing basis.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 December 2024 (HL3387), what secretarial support is being provided to the Veterinary Medicines Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework; whether any report or correspondence has yet been issued by the group; and whether there is any timetable for the group to reach conclusions.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Officials in the Cabinet Office, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate act as the secretariat, supporting the organisation of the Working Group and preparing papers for the Group’s consideration.
The Veterinary Medicines Working Group advises the Government on an ongoing basis, recognising the urgency of the issue, and is therefore not expected to deliver a report or conclusion by a particular date. Their expert advice plays a vital role in shaping the Government’s work on this matter. The next meeting is scheduled for early March.
Asked by: Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 20 December 2024 (HL3387), who are the members of the Horticulture Working Group set up in relation to the implementation of the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Horticulture Working Group is composed of officials from various departments including the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as representatives of the National Farmers’ Union, the Ulster Farmers’ Union, various members of the Horticultural Trades Association, and other businesses engaged in horticultural activities in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.