Jim Allister said:
“I am deeply concerned about the introduction of the EU General Product Safety Regulations 2023 in Northern Ireland from today, Friday 13th December. This is a far-reaching law that, because of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the people of Northern Ireland did not make and cannot change. It demonstrates the practical folly of subjecting oneself to a foreign Parliament.
“Like all legislation imposed in this way, the Regulation testifies to the fact that Northern Ireland has effectively been made a colony of an imperial power, but worse than this, its practical effect is to divide us from the rest of our own country which is not subject to this legislation.
“Northern Ireland is a small part of the United Kingdom economy, and, fully integrated with it. Businesses depend on inputs from companies in the rest of our home economy based in England, Wales and Scotland. The burdens that this GPSR legislation places on people in GB seeking to sell products to Northern Ireland are such that in one sector alone, crafts, I am aware of eleven different GB companies that have chosen to cease servicing Northern Ireland from today, because the customs burdens are too severe.
“Contrary to the repeated line of the Government whenever, since July, I have raised this matter, this is having a devastating effect on small businesses. The only solution to this problem is to find a practical solution which first and foremost protects the integrity of the UK internal market and avoids distortion of the EU single market for goods.
“Happily, there is a solution to this problem which came from the EU, Mutual Enforcement, and which is set out in my EU (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill.”