Update on NI Protocol Bill 5.7.22

Here is the latest briefing on progress with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill 

1. Parliament

• The Bill has passed Second Reading in the House of Commons
•  The Committee Stage begins on the 13^th July where MPs can raise amendments
• Bill still expected to take a long time to pass through Parliament due to opposition in the House of Lords
• Likely wont pass through Parliament until 2023

• The Act gives Government power to suspend elements of the NI Protocol
• Detailed delivery will be through secondary legislation
• Government will work with industry over Summer to develop detailed plans
• Delivery will focus on 2 areas – border model and dual regulation

• Will be a green lane and red lane
• Green lane – products moved by a trusted trader which will remain in NI
• Green lane – limited information required, commercial documentation and confirmation of delivery in NI
• Red Lane – products moving through NI to ROI and EU single market

• Products for NI market can comply with either EU or UK regulation

• Government departments working with industry sectors on specific elements of the Bill
• We are trying to ensure they cover as much as possible to maximise your engagement
• Defra holding calls on dual regulation and SPS elements of border model
• We are waiting for BEIS to confirm how they will cover non food regulatory issues
• HMRC organising call on customs and border model, likely end of next week