Two out of three types of checks on items arriving here from Great Britain from January 1 are to be carried out before departure on the other side of the Irish Sea, it has emerged.
As Northern Ireland will be treated as remaining in the EU s single market for goods at the end of the Brexit transition period in just eight days, it will have to comply with EU rules on food, plant and animal health.
That means checks on goods, animals and even pets coming into here under the NI Protocol, drawn up to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland after Brexit.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has published two guides to help people and businesses navigate the new procedures to follow when moving animals, plants, food and feed from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, after the UK leaves the EU on the 1 January 2021.
The Guidance for Authorised Traders (during the three month grace period) and the Compliance Protocol set out the new processes for retail goods.
They also highlight the flexibilities agreed between the UK government and the EU that will enable goods and products to move as seamlessly as possible through Northern Ireland’s Points of Entry, avoiding any unnecessary delay.
Pet owners bringing their animal companions into Northern Ireland from Great Britain will have a month’s grace to adjust to new rules from the end of the Brexit transition period, it’s been announced.
As NI will be treated as remaining in the EU’s single market for goods at the end of the transition period, it will have to comply with EU rules on food, plant and animal health.
That will mean ensuring pets have an up-to-date rabies vaccine, an animal health certificate, microchip and a valid tapeworm treatment. Read More
But chief veterinary officer Dr Robert Huey of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said pet owners would be allowed one month to have their documents in order but that the rules would be enforced from February 1.