From Windsor Framework to new EU/UK trade reset, the crossing between the UK and Ireland may soon become less turbulent, says Adam Grimshaw, compliance manager for Customs Support Group
Drawing an invisible trade border across the Irish Sea as opposed to a physical land divide between Great Britain and Northern Ireland was never going to be a straightforward crossing, either economically or politically.
Designed to avoid the symbolic divisions of the Province’s troubled past pre-Good Friday Agreement, the Windsor Framework was always seen as ‘fudge’ designed to promote friction-free trade in the post-Brexit world.
There would be no triggering optics of land-patrolled borders, officious inspections of paperwork or roadside vehicle searches. However, it hasn’t been plain sailing as the Windsor Framework, described as a ‘seamark agreement’ designed to revolutionise trade and the frictionless movement of goods, hit strong offshore headwinds soon after its launch on May 1.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA), the member-led industry group for the freight industry, said communications concerning the streamlined ‘Green’ and ‘Red’ lane arrangements around ‘at risk’ items – those identified as potentially passing through NI en route to the Republic – already needed further clarification to avoid the unnecessary delays the Framework was designed to eradicate.
Imported ‘Green’ lane items destined for NI only qualify for UK Internal Market Scheme (UKIMS) authorisation and the backing of the Trader Support Service (TSS) model, designed to support businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Red lane traffic, on the other hand, qualifies as ‘export’ to the EU and requires full customs clearance.
New EU agreement could move the goalposts
However, the tide may have already turned again. In the short lifespan of the Windsor Framework, Sir Keir Starmer has renegotiated part of the post Brexit trade agreement with the EU, some of which is believed to further positively impact trade between the UK, Northern Ireland and the rest of the EU via the Irish Sea gateway.
The devil will be in the detail, but industry commentators are already suggesting that the new EU-UK agreement announced on May 19 will primarily affect the Windsor Framework by further streamlining and simplifying trade between the UK and Northern Ireland, particularly regarding agri-food products.
It’s expected to reduce border checks and customs procedures, potentially leading to lower costs for businesses and consumers. However, some infrastructure investments made under the Windsor Framework might become redundant due to the new agreement, according to some reports.
Therefore, while we are in a state of hiatus with the framework and the new arrangements, we will inevitably experience a period of testing and adjustment.
