NI farmers burdened by post-Brexit machinery checks, say UUP’s Swann and Butler

Renewed machinery checks “unreasonable and unsustainable”, say UUP representatives

Unionist politicians have raised the alarm over renewed post-Brexit checks on second-hand agricultural machinery entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain, warning they place an unfair burden on local farmers and businesses.

Robin Swann MP has written to the UK Cabinet Office to express concerns that the Government has reintroduced checks reminiscent of the early days of the Windsor Framework’s implementation, causing renewed disruption for the agri-sector.

Mr Swann, the Ulster Unionist Party MP for South Antrim, has joined with UUP Agriculture Spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA in questioning the need for Phytosanitary Certificates when moving used agricultural and forestry machinery across the Irish Sea.

They argue that the current rules are overly burdensome and are disproportionately impacting Northern Ireland stakeholders.

The Cabinet Office, responding through Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, clarified that “second-hand agricultural and forestry machinery must be accompanied by either a Northern Ireland Plant Health Label (NIPHL) or, if there is the potential for onward movement to the EU, including Ireland, a Phytosanitary Certificate (PC).”

“These rules are not new,” the Minister stated, “however, we are aware that some businesses have not been complying with them. Moreover, this ongoing non-compliance has been repeatedly highlighted by the EU Commission as a significant concern.”

However, UUP representatives argue that the requirements are neither practical nor fairly enforced.

“Our farmers have faced continual hurdles as a result of ill-thought-out policies by Westminster governments,” said Robbie Butler MLA. “This is yet another example of the Government not understanding the realities facing our farmers.

“The additional cost and time required to obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate – a certificate which we understand is not asked for by Irish authorities at the point of sale for farm machinery – is making business even harder to do for our agricultural sector.”

Robin Swann MP echoed the sentiment, criticising what he sees as a disproportionate responsibility placed on Northern Ireland to safeguard the European market.

“The burden to protect the security of the Irish and EU Single Market is being put on the back of farmers and businesses in Northern Ireland,” Mr Swann said, “and again we see the Irish Government and EU Commission taking minimal responsibility to protect their own market which they have expressed such concern about.

“The result of this is greater cost to farmers, both financially and at a cost to their time – which is unreasonable and unsustainable.”

The issue highlights ongoing tensions in the interpretation and enforcement of the Windsor Framework, particularly in relation to how Northern Ireland’s unique post-Brexit trading position impacts local industries.