Commenting after receiving the answer to an assembly question Jim Allister said:
“These figures very clearly establish that there has been no diminution of checks under either the Windsor Framework or the Donaldson Deal, despite the contrary promises in respect of both.
“The rigour of the Irish Sea border continues unabated. This, of course, is because the cause of the checks, namely NI’s subjection to the EU Customs Code, is untouched by both WF and the Donaldson Deal.
“It is this Customs Code which decrees GB a foreign country whose goods must be checked coming into the EU territory, which
NI is deemed to be under the unaltered Protocol.”
Mr Allister’s question and the Minister’s response are as follows:
Mr Jim Allister KC
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim
Traditional Unionist Voice
North Antrim
Tabled Date: 22/02/2024
Answered On Date: 12/03/2024
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Windsor Framework (Retail Movement Scheme) Regulations 2023 Regulation 13 on GB-NI retail goods checks, how many checks were conducted in (i) January 2023; (ii) January 2024; and (iii) February 2024.
Answer:
The Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) commenced on 1 October 2023, replacing the existing Scheme for Temporary Agrifood Movements into Northern Ireland (STAMNI) for the movement of retail goods from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI) from that point.
The table below shows the number and type of checks completed on GB – NI retail goods movements during January 2023 and January 2024. The full totals for February 2024 are not yet available so the table provides data up to and including 22 February.
|
Checks
|
January 2023 (STAMNI)
|
January 2024 (NIRMS)
|
1st – 22nd February 2024 (NIRMS)
|
|
Documentary Checks
|
5948
|
6095
|
4584
|
|
Seal Checks
|
5948
|
6095
|
4584
|
|
Identification Checks
|
159
|
592
|
471
|
|
Post Movement Assurance Checks
|
N/A
|
13
|
6 |