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Concerns have been raised over checks on plastic goods entering Northern Ireland from GB as new inspection facilities were set to open yesterday 1 July.
The new SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) product inspection facilities are due to be operational this week following an investment of almost £200m.
The sites will be handed over to DAERA (Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) as operator of the facilities. However, concerns over plastic material checks were raised at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) recent environment committee as Warrenpoint Harbour lies within the district.
Mournes Councillor Henry Reilly said: “On the inspection of plastics coming in from GB, that may come from Hong Kong or China. Surely GB has rules that would prevent that stuff getting in. I can’t understand that bit.”
The latest phase of the Windsor Framework Agreement will see the delivery of newly constructed inspection facilities at Northern Ireland ports being rolled out from 1 July, according to a council report.
Previously updated trade deals between the EU and the UK after Brexit have seen the end of some forms of inspections such as with agrifoods.
Though as the new inspection facilities open, the council is still awaiting further instruction on checks on plastics from countries outside of the UK and EU.
Details of what plastics could be checked at Warrenpiont were kept on a confidential council report away from public and press view. There are five commercial ports in Northern Ireland at Belfast, Larne, Derry, Warrenpoint and Coleraine. Speculation on the imports suggest there could be potential delays to deliveries and extra costs on items made from plastic.
A council officer responded: “I will come back to you directly, councillor on the details of that. That relates to third country imports and a check that would be required there.
“Some uncertainties remain in areas where UK Government ministers have yet to provide direction, however we are aware that discussions between the UK Government and the EU are continuing.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) contacted Cllr Reilly on Monday (June 30) when he confirmed that the NMDDC officer had not yet contacted him to provide clarity on the matter despite plans for the new inspection ports to open in a matter of hours.
