Statement by Jim Allister KC MP in Response to the Third Parcels Border Implementation Date
Jim Allister said:
“Today we received yet another reminder of the fact that we are still being shielded from the destructive consequences of the Irish Sea border as it disinherits us from our wider home economy, on account of the fact that it has not yet been fully implemented and has indeed had its commencement postponed to a third date.
“First the Irish Sea Parcels Border was to have been implemented on 30 September 2024, with seminars provided to help people get ready from April 2024.
“Then on 19 September, in the context if growing concerns, and less than two weeks before implementation day, it was suddenly announced that it was being delayed until 31 March 2025.
“Unbelievably today the Government has announced that it has been put back yet again until 1 May and now they are saying implementation will only begin on that date.
“Trying to impose a customs border on parcels movements within a national economy is completely absurd, just as has been the attempt to frustrate the flow of other goods within what was the UK single market for goods through the imposition of other aspects of the customs border.
“The costly and destructive implications of doing so are plainly demonstrated in the fact that we are now on our third commencement date and in the concerns eloquently presented by businesses to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee last week.
“The introduction of the parcels border would seal the demise of the UK single market for goods for many purposes and its replacement with what is effectively a GB single market for goods, and an island of Ireland single market for goods, subject to all island laws, imposed on us.
“This is a deliberate attempt by the Republic of Ireland and wider EU to undermine the UK and is contrary to international law, including the Declaration on Principles of International Law, Friendly Relations and Co-operation among states in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations which states:
‘Every State shall refrain from any action aimed at the partial or total disruption of the national unity and territorial integrity of any other State or country.’
“Lest anyone should be in any doubt about the importance of these principles, the Declaration also affirms:
‘The principles of the Charter which are embodied in this Declaration constitute basic principles of international law, and consequently appeals to all States to be guided by these principles in their international conduct and to develop their mutual relations on the basis of the strict observance of these principles.’
And
‘Where obligations arising under international agreements are in conflict with the obligations of Members of the United Nations under the Charter of the United Nations, the obligations under the Charter shall prevail.’
The introduction of the Parcels border would also place further pressure on the Windsor Framework itself by means of generating further trade diversion in violation of Article 16.
“The Windsor Framework is now failing not only in the sense that it is causing real difficulty but in its own terms, generating trade diversion in violation of Article 16.
“In this context it must be replaced with the viable alternative Mutual Enforcement.”