Brexit & Beyond newsletter

7 October 2024

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Welcome to the 7 October 2024 Brexit & Beyond newsletter

Last week at the Assembly, Members’ statements were made on “Not for EU” labelling. The Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee heard from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs about the EU proposal for regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability.

Regarding UK-EU relations, it was a busy week. It kicked off with the UK Minister for EU Relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds meeting the EU Commissioner-designate for Trade Maroš Šefčovič. On Wednesday the Prime Minister met with the President of the European Commission in Brussels.

Nick Thomas-Symonds travelled to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the newly appointed Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Pat McFadden MP visited Northern Ireland with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. 

 

 

Northern Ireland Assembly

On Tuesday, Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA made a statement on the UK Government’s decision to not to proceed with the introduction of UK-wide "Not for EU" labelling and Northern Ireland Office commitment to monitor the UK internal market. He complained about the limited guidance available. Dr Aiken OBE MLA told the Chamber the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee should be more proactive. He outlined his plans to the Chair of the Committee to ask it to “stop being incurious and examine all elements of significance of the Windsor framework and how it affects Northern Ireland”.  

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA makes a statement in the Chamber

Timothy Gaston MLA also made a statement on "Not for EU" Labelling. He highlighted the different approaches to this in Northern Ireland compared to Great Britain. He suggested manufacturers may “cease to service Northern Ireland, meaning reduced choice for consumers”.  

The Democratic Scrutiny Committee heard evidence from departmental officials on a proposed EU Regulation on the welfare of cats and dogs and their traceability. This aims to ensure common welfare standards for dogs and cats across the EU. The rules would apply to cats and dogs kept by breeders, sellers, pet shops and shelters, not individual pet owners. The European Commission may seek to add the Regulation to the Windsor Framework via Article 13(4) and the applicability motion process would apply. The Committee agreed to monitor the proposal and is seeking the views of stakeholders via Citizen Space. You can take part in the consultation here.

The next meeting of the Committee will take place on Thursday 10 October 2024. The Committee will receive legal advice and hear departmental evidence on Regulation (EU) 2022/2516 on the digital labelling of EU fertilising products.

 

 

UK-EU relations 

Last Monday (30 September), the UK Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds met the EU Commissioner-designate for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič. Lisa O’Carroll (The Guardian) noted he didn’t do any press.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer held his first bilateral meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, in Brussels. A joint statement recorded that they “reaffirmed that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement underpin relations between them and underlined their mutual commitment to the full and faithful implementation of those agreements.”

They agreed to meet again this autumn.

The Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission agreed on the importance of holding regular EU-UK Summits at leader-level to oversee the development of the relationship. They also agreed that a first Summit should take place ideally in early 2025.

The Prime Minister also met President of the European Council Charles Michel. He also met with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. In both meetings, the Prime Minister set out his commitment to improve the UK’s relationship with the EU.

Last Monday (30 September), the UK Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds met the EU Commissioner-designate for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič. Lisa O’Carroll (The Guardian) noted he didn’t do any press. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer held his first bilateral meeting with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, in Brussels. A joint statement recorded that they “reaffirmed that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Windsor Framework, and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement underpin relations between them and underlined their mutual commitment to the full and faithful implementation of those agreements.” They agreed to meet again this autumn. The Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission agreed on the importance of holding regular EU-UK Summits at leader-level to oversee the development of the relationship. They also agreed that a first Summit should take place ideally in early 2025. The Prime Minister also met President of the European Council Charles Michel. He also met with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola. In both meetings, the Prime Minister set out his commitment to improve the UK’s relationship with the EU.EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD and Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Dublin 

EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds travelled to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday with Foreign Secretary David Lammy to meet the Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD and Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD.  The joint communiqué states that they “agreed on the importance of a positive UK-EU relationship and looked forward to further work to strengthen cooperation.”   

Ahead of the UK-Ireland Summit in March 2025, the Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary agreed to “intensify cooperation on foreign and security policy issues as well instituting annual political consultations at senior official level.”

The joint communiqué records that the Tánaiste and the Foreign Secretary agreed on “the importance of a positive UK-EU relationship ... They agreed that there is real potential for the UK and the EU to work further together to mutual benefit. They welcomed the recent agreement of Prime Minister Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take forward an ambitious agenda of strengthened cooperation at pace over the coming months.” 

 

 

Devolution and intergovernmental relations

Thursday also saw the newly appointed Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Pat McFadden MP visit Northern Ireland with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn. They met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister. As part of the discussions, they looked forward to the inaugural meeting of the Council of the Nations and Regions this Friday, as well as the UK’s International Investment Summit.

The Council of Nations and Regions meets on Friday in Scotland. The Council brings together First Ministers, Northern Ireland’s First Minister and deputy First Minister and regional Mayors from across England. The Prime Minister’s newly appointed Envoy for the regions and nations Sue Gray is expected to accompany the Prime Minster at the meeting. 

 

 

Safety and security requirements on imports and exports

Updated guidance issued today outlines that import requirements for goods from the EU (and other territories that did not have requirements before 1 January 2021) were due to be implemented from 1 July 2022, but the waiver has been extended until 31 January 2025. 

 

 

Other news

 

  • On Monday, the SEUPB announced that more than £10m of PEACEPLUS funding has been awarded to three projects – Mini Digi Hubs, STRIDE and DS3 – to support the Smart Towns and Villages investment area, which promotes socio-economic inclusion of marginalised communities, low-income households and disadvantaged groups.                                                                                                                                                                                              
  • Last week, the European Parliament agreed the calendar for hearings of the Commissioners-designate. The hearings will start on 4 November and run until 12 November. The European Parliament’s committees will evaluate the suitability of the Commission candidates for their respective portfolios.                                                                                                                                                                              
  • Politico reports that a letter, from seven MEPs representing different Member States and parties to the UK City Minister Tulip Siddiq was sent on 20 September, demanding a rethink of a proposed cap on how much Visa and Mastercard can charge for card payments.                                                                                                                                                                       
  • Last Wednesday, UK in a Changing Europe published an explainer on veterinary agreements.                                                                                            
  • RTE reported on Thursday that the EU Commission has ordered the Irish Government to bring its legislation into line with an EU law because the Republic of Ireland "has not fully transposed the provisions related to incitement to hatred or violence, including the condoning, denial or gross trivialisation of international crimes and the Holocaust".                                                                                                                                                                                              
  • Politico reports on the story, broken by the Sunday Times, that Russian intelligence had recruited an Irish politician with one of the aims being to undermine relations between the UK, Republic of Ireland and the EU.                                                                        
  • Next Monday (14 October), the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs will bring a motion that the Hops Certification (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 (SR 2024/171) be annulled.                                                                             
  • EU Foreign Affairs Ministers will have an informal exchange of views with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy in Luxembourg, next Monday.                                                                                                                                                                        
  • On Thursday 10 October, members of the House of Lords will debate the  bilateral relations between the UK and Europe, particularly on issues of culture, diplomacy and security.                                                                                                                             
  • Minister Douglas Alexander of the Department of Business and Trade has made a statement to the Commons on the UK-Thailand Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) saying that the ETP is a non-legally binding memorandum of understanding which creates a framework to enhance trade, investment and economic cooperation between the UK and Thailand. The new partnership is designed to boost trade and investment across 20 priority areas including automotive, tourism, investment, digital trade, financial services, education.                                                                                                                    
  • EU trade talks with the Mercosur bloc continue this week in Brasilia. The Southern Common Market group (MERCOSUR for its Spanish initials) comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Bolivia (which is working through the accession process).