Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič condemned on 3 March the decision taken by the British government the same day to “extend the grace period” for certain checks carried out in Northern Ireland “unilaterally” until October, although it expires in principle on 30 March. The Vice President expressed “the EU’s deep concern about the UK’s unilateral action, as it constitutes a violation of the relevant substantive provisions of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol and of the obligation of good faith provided for in the withdrawal agreement. This is the second time that the UK Government is about to violate international law”.
It is “also a clear departure from the constructive approach that has prevailed to date”. The subject was to be discussed on Wednesday evening between Maroš Šefčovič and his new counterpart, David Frost, who replaces Michael Gove on the Joint Committee. This call between the two men was already planned, the Commission says.
The UK decision concerns supermarkets and other retailers, who must provide export health certificates for all shipments of animal products. The withdrawal agreement provides for relaxations in these control measures under a grace period.
“For supermarkets and their suppliers, as part of the operational plan to which the UK committed at the UK-EU joint committee on 24 February, the current regime for the temporary movement of agri-food products to Northern Ireland will be maintained until 1 October”, the government said.
“The certification requirements will then be introduced in stages, in parallel with the roll-out of the digital assistance programme.”
The Commission said it was open to adjustments, but never formally accepted the request for an extension of grace periods for a range of sectors, which London had originally envisaged until 2023. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)