Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs how he will minimise the costs to the agri-food sector of complying with the requirements of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: A key ask for DAERA is for the UK Government and the EU to work together to ensure that trade friction and costs are minimised where it is possible to do so under the legislation. It is in all our interests that there is a successful outcome to the trade negotiations by the end of the year. In addition, there should not be any additional administrative burdens or costs to businesses and consumers.
I have already sought assurance from the UK Government that they will meet any associated costs placed on Northern Ireland business as a result of the implementation of the protocol, including as a result of sanitary and phytosanitary checks. I will continue to press them on the matter.
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