During her time in Belfast and Lisburn, Emma Reynolds will attend the Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland’s premier farming event, and spotlight how the agreement is expected to help cut red tape, lower costs and keep trade flowing between Great Britain and the province.
In comparison to the other three nations of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland benefits from full European Union (EU) market access, thanks to its unique position under the Windsor Framework.
Introduced in 2023, the framework was designed to keep border checks between the UK and the Republic of Ireland to a minimum, as ensuring a frictionless border between Northern Ireland and its southern neighbour is a key part of the Good Friday Agreement, which was essential in ending ‘The Troubles’.
A downside to this, however, has been the implementation of checks on goods going into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
But now, the Defra says most food and drink goods moving from GB to Northern Ireland will no longer require checks, including regulatory certificates that can cost between £80 and £200 each, which should in turn save businesses millions each year.
Over the last three years, for example, these charges for export health certificates have cost businesses between £13 million and £32 million.
“We are cutting red tape and scrapping unnecessary checks, making it easier and cheaper to keep goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” Reynolds said.
“Northern Ireland’s food and drink businesses deserve a better deal. That means protecting the UK internal market, supporting businesses and giving families more choice, availability and value across Northern Ireland.”
Reynolds’ visit comes as the European Partnership Bill was announced at the State Opening of Parliament this week, kickstarting the legislative framework needed to implement the agreement and allow businesses to start realising its benefits from mid-2027.
Paperwork and checks on flowers, plants and seeds moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will also cease, while final restrictions on the movement of certain tree species will disappear.
Defra says these changes will support Northern Ireland’s farmers, gardeners, garden centres, environmental projects and rural businesses, ensuring they can benefit fully from smoother trade with Great Britain.
Eddie Murphy, country director for M&S Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “We have over 20 stores and work with nearly 2,000 Select Farm partners in Northern Ireland.
“This deal will remove unnecessary bureaucracy and reduce cost pressures, helping us to go further in offering Northern Irish customers the very best of M&S by speeding up the flow of goods and access to fresh produce.”
