The UK government has announced its plan to introduce a nationwide “Not for EU” food labeling system, starting from this autumn. The initiative is part of the deal with the European Union to reduce checks on British products entering Northern Ireland. The proposed labelling system is a response to the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol, which has caused trading difficulties between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
The idea of a UK-wide labelling system has been preferred by retailers, as revealed by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly during a meeting with the House of Lords Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland Sub-Committee. Cleverly stated that the consultation process with retailers had shown that the majority of them preferred a uniform labeling system, rather than a regional approach. He argued that it makes sense for the UK to adopt a standard labeling system, considering Northern Ireland is part of the union.
Cleverly emphasized that the scheme would be phased in over a couple of years, with autumn serving as the starting point. Retailers had expressed concerns about the lack of detail on the labeling requirements ahead of the October 1st deadline. Cleverly acknowledged the need for clarification, assuring that the government would provide specific guidelines on size and prominence of the labels.
The development has sparked concerns about new green and red lane arrangements for the flow of goods from Britain into Northern Ireland. DUP peer Lord Dodds expressed concerns that traders had expressed worries about the new arrangements, with one manufacturer stating that most goods would go through the red lane for clarity. Cleverly acknowledged the concerns and offered to look into specific examples where issues remained.
Food Labels to Become National Standard
Despite concerns, the UK government remains committed to delivering on its promises to eradicate the Irish Sea border in Northern Ireland. Cleverly stated that while complete perfection may not be achievable, the government had largely made good on its promise to reduce the impact of the border. The Foreign Secretary added that Northern Ireland’s unique position, being part of the UK but close to the single market, meant that complete perfection in all instances was not feasible. However, he believed that the government had made significant progress in reducing the Irish Sea border’s impact.
The implementation of the labelling system is expected to reduce checks on British products entering Northern Ireland, a key goal of the Windsor Framework deal. The framework aims to resolve trading difficulties between Northern Ireland and Great Britain caused by the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol. The development is a significant step towards reducing the complexity of trade between the UK and EU, and it is expected to provide a smoother transition for retailers and manufacturers.
The UK government’s plan to introduce a nationwide “Not for EU” food labeling system is a significant step towards reducing checks on British products entering Northern Ireland. The phased rollout over the next couple of years is expected to provide a smoother transition for retailers and manufacturers. The development is part of the Windsor Framework deal and is expected to reduce trading difficulties between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
