The UK will give more time to British supermarket companies operating in Northern Ireland in line with the new rules coming into effect as a result of Brexit. Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis told parliament that a plan to regulate it was underway.
The trade agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom has been in effect since the beginning of this year. Both markets still exchange goods, but have their own standards for food and other products.
However, there are problems in Northern Ireland. Since Brexit this country is no longer a member of the European Union, but because it is located on a European island it is part of the European Customs Union. This means that the country must comply with European rules regarding food security.
This is a job for British supermarkets with stores in Northern Ireland. Companies have to do a lot of paper work to sell products in the country. British and European negotiators have been discussing a solution to the problem for some time. Some sources fear that Northern Ireland will eventually be completely cut off from the EU.
But by the time those talks are over, the UK wants to accommodate supermarket companies. “We are taking a number of temporary measures to show that more time is needed to adopt and introduce new rules,” Lewis told parliament on Wednesday. He also announced that a plan would be announced later. There are additional details about blocking additional taxes in that plan.
