Treaty troubles over Northern Ireland

The UK and the EU are edging closer to a trade war after Brussels rejected London’s demands to rewrite the Brexit deal’s contentious Northern Ireland Protocol


NORTHERN IRELAND
Protocol maintains British province within EU Single Market.
Applies EU rules on imports from UK, including Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on products of animal origin, live animals, fish and plants

IRELAND (EU)

43%
Increase in trade from Republic to Northern Ireland

Irish Sea
Regulatory border
SCOTLAND 
ENGLAND

47%
SPS checks cause fall in food and drink exports to EU

WALES
UK (non-EU)


David Frost: UK Brexit minister (right) demands removal of oversight of protocol by European Court of Justice. Could trigger Article 16

Maros Sefcovic: EU Commission Vice President (left) has ruled out renegotiating protocol – ECJ’s role is “red line” for Brussels

Article 16: Treaty allows Brussels or London to act to avert “serious economic, societal or environmental difficulties.” Move would effectively tear up parts of deal to avoid hard border with Republic of Ireland


Sources: Farming UK, Financial Times, LSE, Politeia 
Pictures: Getty Images 
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