Post-Brexit checks on goods from Ireland delayed

The government has delayed new controls for moving goods from the island of Ireland to Great Britain.

New checks primarily related to customs, sanitary and phytosanitary controls and safety and security declarations, were due to be implemented on 1 January 2022.

However, negotiations on the Northern Ireland Protocol were not completed by this date.

The government is legally committed to ensuring 'unfettered access ' for goods from Northern Ireland.

Goods moving from the island of Ireland directly to Great Britain will continue to do so under arrangements that currently apply and will not be affected by changes introduced on 1 January 2022 for all other inbound goods.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said a delay to the changes is welcome, with many businesses focusing their resources on surviving the pandemic.

Policy advisor Erin Henwood said: “As many businesses continue to focus their resources on surviving the pandemic, the Government 's announcement to temporarily extend existing customs arrangements for goods moving from the island of Ireland to Great Britain will be welcomed by many.

“Analysis from the latest Quarterly Business Report has unsurprisingly revealed that Brexit remains firmly at the forefront of businesses ' minds, with many reporting that they are increasingly concerned by complex and confusing customs arrangements.

“Whilst the delay is a necessary step to ensure continued unfettered access for goods between the two islands, it is not a panacea for the extensive problems that local businesses have been reporting as they attempt to navigate post-Brexit trade. It is crucial that more is done to alleviate firms of these concerns, particularly given the burden that Covid-19 has been on the national economy over the last two years.