We will try to address NI’S haulier difficulties: Barnier
THE European Union will seek to address the difficulties facing hauliers and retailers in Northern Ireland as a result of Brexit, Michel Barnier has said.
Post Brexit red-tape has caused trade from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland to fall sharply, with empty shelves appearing in supermarkets and certain products becoming unavailable.
Mr Barnier, who negotiated the Brexit deal on behalf of the EU, said they would look at finding a way “to address the difficulties” but warned that the new rules are here to stay.
Mr Barnier said: “Brexit means Brexit. It cannot be business as usual, either in Northern Ireland or Ireland, nor in any other EU member states.
“We have to tackle these consequences. I know. I carefully follow the situation in Northern Ireland for the hauliers, for retailers. I know the difficulty for the fishermen.
“So we look at this difficulty with objectivity, to find a way to to address the difficulties.
“But for the last four years I have always, very often explained that we have to be prepared for the challenges.
“The changes are linked mechanically, automatically to the Brexit, and the fact that the UK decided unilaterally to leave the Union, the single market and the customs union.
“So that means many, many changes. We will continue to follow your difficulties to try to help.”
He added: “Each and every product entering the single market in Ireland, and everywhere else, must respect the standards and the rules that we implement inside the EU.”
These rules, he said, are for “the protection of the consumers, the food security, animals and vegetables, to protect our budget also, and to protect businesses against counterfeiting”.
Mr Barnier was speaking from Brussels yesterday, where he was named European of the Year 2020 by European Movement Ireland.
Tributes were paid to Mr Barnier by Irish premier Micheal Martin, who described Mr Barnier as the “face and embodiment of European solidarity”.
Meanwhile, the Government insisted goods are flowing effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland “and there is no disruption at Northern Ireland ports”.
“The grace periods for businesses moving goods between GB and NI are in operation and working well,” a spokesman said.