By Amanda Ferguson

BELFAST, Reuters – Northern Irish businesses welcomed the “signals of movement from both side” following Wednesday’s presentation by the European Commission of a set of measures for Britain to ease goods transit to Northern Ireland.

They are intended to reduce customs restrictions, such as clearance of dairy and meat products from British territory.

Protocol – which was agreed to as part the Brexit divorce agreement to prevent a hard boundary between Northern Ireland (EU member Ireland) – maintains the British-run region in the EU’s customs Union and single market of goods.

In a statement, the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group stated that these proposals must pass the test of the NI Business Community, namely, that they provide stability, certainty and simplicity, as well as affordability.

The solutions that are being discussed may be helpful in meeting these requirements. We will however reserve judgment until we view both the legal and technical text.

“As a umbrella group of business we will be meeting with both UK Government and European Commission to discuss all these proposals. We are looking forward to getting to know how they could keep NI businesses competitive, and provide choice for customers.”

In December 2019, the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group, (NIBBWG), was set up by Britain and EU to discuss the concerns expressed by more than 85% Northern Ireland-based businesses.