London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

NI Protocol: New port facilities needed for goods checks

NI Protocol: New port facilities needed for goods checks

The UK government's plan to replace the Northern Ireland Protocol will mean new facilities will have to be built at Northern Ireland's ports.

The proposals involve a "green lane" for goods from Great Britain (GB) which are staying in Northern Ireland.

A "red lane" will be used to check and control GB goods going on to the Republic of Ireland and the wider EU.

The government said the red lane will require the "enhancement" of existing facilities at points of entry.

The details are contained in a letter from the Minister for Biosecurity, Lord Benyon, to the House of Lords sub committee on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The protocol means that currently all commercial agri-food products entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain have to go through makeshift facilities at Northern Ireland ports.

For example, the main Belfast facility comprises temporary buildings and marquees.

In 2020, before the protocol was implemented, sites for permanent facilities were identified, planning consent was achieved and contractors were appointed - but nothing was built.


'Wider concerns'


In the letter Lord Benyon said: "The government's position has always been that the arrangements in place for the red lane will require the enhancement of existing SPS facilities at points of entry in Northern Ireland.

"The necessary construction has not taken place to date owing to wider concerns about the protocol's implementation.

"However, acting to deliver these facilities is pivotal to securing a viable and sustainable way forward on the protocol in relation to EU-destined goods."

The protocol prevents checks on items at the Irish border


Lord Benyon also noted that delivery of the facilities is a devolved responsibility but that central government will act if the Northern Ireland Executive is not restored.

"In line with that responsibility, the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) will introduce the necessary statutory instrument and relevant guidance to underpin this early in 2023," he said.

"This will be done with full recognition of the ongoing responsibility of the Northern Ireland Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in this area, including maintaining the appropriate staffing levels for those SPS facilities and other administrative matters."

Sinn Féin's Brexit spokesperson, Declan Kearney, said the plans were "long overdue, but also necessary".

"Providing a legal basis for the construction of post-Brexit check facilities is a requirement. Our local businesses need certainty and stability," he added.


What is the NI protocol?


The protocol is the post-Brexit arrangement for Northern Ireland agreed by the UK and the European Union (EU).

It keeps Northern Ireland inside the EU's single market for goods, preventing checks on items at the Irish border.

It also means there are checks and controls on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, leading to added cost and complexity for importing businesses.

It is opposed by unionists who say it undermines their place in the UK. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), is boycotting devolved government as a result.

The UK said it plans to override most of the agreement if the EU does not agree to changes through negotiation.

The UK plans, published in June, laid out broad plans for the red lane and green lane system, which would be based around a "trusted trader scheme".

The full details of the trusted trader scheme are still unclear.

EU-UK talks on the protocol are expected to intensify in the new year.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
×