Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals Debate

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Department: Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Protocol: Implementation Proposals

Bob Blackman Excerpts
Wednesday 18th November 2020

(3 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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This is an important issue, which I have already undertaken in this statement to discuss further with Treasury colleagues. Perhaps I can write back to the hon. Lady further to those discussions.

Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con) [V]
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Will my hon. Friend update the House and clarify for us what the position will be on live animal exports from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland, and from Northern Ireland to the rest of Great Britain, following 1 January?

Robin Walker Portrait Mr Walker
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My hon. Friend makes an important point. We want to ensure—and the protocol will ensure—that animals can continue to move between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. That is important and reflects existing patterns of trade between the two. With regard to goods coming from Northern Ireland into Great Britain, we of course want to make sure that we provide unfettered access for Northern Ireland qualifying goods, and the definition of that is the crux of my hon. Friend’s question. That is an issue on which we continue to work closely with the agriculture and agrifood industry.