UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

(asked on 28th January 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on Lough Neagh eel fishermen of no longer being able to sell their produce to Great Britain; and what steps they will take to ensure that businesses in Northern Ireland can trade freely with Great Britain.


This question was answered on 11th February 2021

European Eel is a critically endangered species and, as such, its trade is tightly regulated. As a result of the Northern Ireland protocol, trade in European Eel to and from Northern Ireland now falls under the EU’s rules. Lough Neagh Fisherman's Co-operative can continue to access the EU market for European Eel, which normally accounts for over 80% of their sales. The UK Government has made the scientific case for some continued trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, on the basis that it would not be detrimental to the species as a whole. However, the EU have not accepted this case so, Lough Neagh Fisherman's Co-operative will be unable to trade European Eel with Great Britain during 2021. The Government is seeking independent peer review of the scientific case for ongoing trade and will re-present this case to the EU later in 2021, for further consideration. The Government is also exploring other options to reduce the regulatory requirements for movements from Northern Ireland to Great Britain of the limited goods to which they apply.

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