Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the use of export health certificates for products of animal origin moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK after the transition period.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has regular discussions with the DEFRA Secretary of State on a wide range of issues relating to implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Responsibility for the requirement for and recruitment of veterinary and other technical staff within Northern Ireland, including at points of entry from Great Britain, rests with the Northern Ireland Executive with whom we work closely.

Our commitment to unfettered access for Northern Ireland goods to the rest of the UK remains unequivocal and we have brought forward draft regulations that establish the definition of Qualifying Northern Ireland Goods, ensuring no changes in how Northern Ireland businesses move goods directly to the rest of the UK from 1 January 2021. In addition to this, the UKIM Bill will ensure that qualifying Northern Ireland goods can continue to be placed on the whole UK market, even where the Protocol applies different rules in Northern Ireland - and prohibit checks and controls as goods move from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK.