NORTHERN IRELAND PROTOCOL

June 14, 2021

Britain and the EU are locked in an escalating diplomatic feud over Northern Ireland, the only part of the U.K. that borders the 27-nation bloc. The EU says Britain must fully implement the agreement, known as the Northern Ireland Protocol, that the two sides agreed and ratified.

About:

  • It came into force on 1 January 2021, and is now part of international law.

  • Under the protocol, both sides agreed that, even though Northern Ireland was no longer part of the EU, it would continue to follow many of its rules.

  • This would enable lorries to continue driving across the land border without being inspected.

  • Meanwhile, England, Scotland and Wales are no longer following those rules - leading to a new "regulatory" border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

  • New checks on goods now need to be carried out when they enter Northern Ireland from England, Scotland or Wales.

  • Inspections take place at Northern Ireland ports, and customs documents have to be filled in. 

Source : outlook

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