Brexit: Northern Ireland hoping for unfettered access to ware and seed imports from rest of the UK

Northern Ireland’s potato industry is reportedly hoping against hope that a derogation allowing the importation of both ware and seed from GB into the province, beyond December 31st, can be sorted out over the coming days. According to a report by Farming Life, Wilson’s Country chairman Angus Wilson stressed that this issue is not directly linked to the ongoing Brexit trade negotiations. “Rather it has to do with the criteria laid down within the Northern Ireland protocol, which will see the local potato sector remaining within the EU’s single market after January 1st. One direct consequence of this will be a ban on both ware and seed potato imports from GB into Northern Ireland on phytosanitary grounds.” According to the Wilson’s Country representative, many local processors and merchants import ware potatoes from England for chippings. “In our own case, fresh chips represent a significant proportion of our throughput across the retail and catering sectors. “…a considerable ...