Brexit and Northern Ireland business media digest Feb 28, edited by George Hamilton
EU/UK trade talks: the war begins
“We want a deal, but only on our terms. If not, we walk”: that’s the general media view of the UK’s stance, published yesterday, for the trade talks starting Monday with the EU.
Also in this issue
- Post-Brexit trade deal “nightmare” for local hauliers
- Upcoming conference to look at post-Brexit border economy
Post-Brexit talks: UK prepared to walk away in June if no progress
The UK policy document says: The UK “will not negotiate any arrangements in which the UK does not have control of its own laws and political life”
The UK’s aim is for a trading relationship with the EU similar to the ones the 27-nation bloc has with Canada, Japan and South Korea
There will be no jurisdiction for EU law or the European Court of Justice in the UK
The UK will rely on World Trade Organization rules under an arrangement with the EU similar to Australia’s if progress on a comprehensive deal cannot be made
A separate agreement on fisheries is needed, to reflect the fact that “the UK will be an independent coastal state at the end of 2020”
What are the EU/UK sticking points?
State aid: The UK wants the freedom to subsidise domestic industries of its choice. Brussels wants state aid restrictions to continue “in perpetuity”.
Governance: The EU wants a “blockbuster” agreement covering everything from fisheries, aviation, energy to immigration. The UK wants different deals in these areas.
Fishing: The UK wants quota deals like the EU has with Iceland or Norway. The EU wants continued access to UK waters. BBC News 27 Feb
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-
Both sides expect early bust-up
In the House of Commons, an exasperated Claire Hanna of the SDLP told Michael Gove the government’s conflicting statements about the Irish Sea protocol had caused confusion in Northern Ireland.
“We hear from the EU that there will be no derogation from the rules, but reports over the weekend suggested that the government seek to find ways around the protocol, yet the minister and his colleagues say that there will still be unfettered access and no border in the Irish Sea.
“Will the minister please describe in detail, with the crystal clarity he referred to, how those irreconcilable aims will be married up, and how people in Northern Ireland will finally get certainty after 3½ years of bluster and stalled investment?”
This is, of course, exactly the kind of confusion London is hoping to sow but…it is also likely to erode further any confidence in European capitals that the prime minister can be trusted to keep his word, encouraging other leaders to insist on the strictly binding commitments Britain is seeking to avoid. Irish Times 27 Feb
Post-Brexit Northern Ireland trade “nightmare” for hauliers
Hauliers are facing “an administrative nightmare” over post-Brexit trade in Northern Ireland, a House of Lords committee has been told.
The European Union Committee was in Belfast this week to hear the concerns of local representatives from the freight sector, ports, ferry operators and Belfast International Airport.
There was a unanimous demand for clarity from the Government over what is expected of firms once the Brexit transition period ends in December.
Les Stracey, director of corporate affairs for Stena Line told the committees committee that 540,000 freight units pass through Belfast Harbour with Stena Line a year, of which 97% are UK to UK trade.
“We’re uncertain when it comes to checks… will it be for the 3% or for the 100% of goods?,” he asked.
With sailings usually taking 90 minutes, he said there was “great concern” about how the Stena Line timetable would be affected.
Graham Keddie, managing director of Belfast International Airport, was asked about introducing exit declaration forms for goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.
“Do you want the brutal answer? It’s just to get rid of it,” he said.
“It’s going to be very difficult because it is bureaucracy and it does limit our competitiveness.”
Pamela Dennison, chair of the Freight Transport Association Northern Ireland, issued a similar warning. “I despair at what’s going to come (in) January,” she said.
She said an increased responsibility for paperwork would place considerable pressure on the business: “If that paperwork goes wrong, it’s myself and my drivers that will be affected.”
Asked for a message for the Government, she replied: “Stop telling businesses what you think they want to hear and tell them what’s going on”.
The committee later heard from David Phinnemore, professor of European politics at Queen’s University Belfast. He was asked what goods entering Northern Ireland would be considered at risk of being transported to the Irish Republic and therefore subject to a tariff.
“The starting point is very clear: everything is at risk,” he said, until the EU can be persuaded otherwise. “Businesses are crying out. The last three years have been about uncertainty. I don’t think you’ll find any economic operator who thinks that this is a good deal for Northern Ireland.” Belfast Telegraph 26 Feb
Conference will focus on building post-Brexit cross-border economy
TWO business organisations either side of the border are coming together next month to jointly host a free conference focusing on the local economy in the post-Brexit era.
The Chambers of Commerce in Newry and Dundalk – who have a long history of collaboration – will host the event in the Carrickdale Hotel & Spa on Wednesday March 11, for which more than 250 people have already registered.
It will focus on the impact of the future trading relationship for the border region after the UK’s exit from the EU and will provide a range of practical advice and support for border businesses.
The programme includes a keynote address from Oliver Mangan, chief economist at AIB, who will examine the economic outlook and what a future EU/UK trade deal might look like and what it will mean for businesses.
The conference, which will be chaired by BBC journalist Mark Simpson, is supported by IntertradeIreland, Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, Louth County Council, Local Enterprise Office Louth and Dundalk Chamber Skillnet.
Spaces can be booked via Eventbrite or at www.newrychamber.com or www.dundalk.ie Irish News 27 Feb
