Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has dismissed calls by Phil Hogan, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, for Northern Ireland to remain in the EU customs union, even if the rest of the United Kingdom is outside. 

Mr Nicholson pointed out that the proposal amounts to an international border being placed between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, which would augment rather than abate the challenges Brexit poses to the local economy and breach the Belfast Agreement. 

Mr Nicholson said: 

“The idea of keeping Northern Ireland in the EU customs union, with the rest of the UK outside, is a non-starter. Across all sectors, our largest single market for external sales is Great Britain, by a large margin. Taking Northern Ireland out of the UK single market would have serious economic consequences, and would augment the uncertainties and difficulties of Brexit, rather than abate them, never mind breaching the Belfast Agreement. 

“As Commissioner Hogan will be well aware, the agri-food sector in the Republic of Ireland is particularly keen to stress that border solutions and future trade should focus on east-west relationships as well as north-south.  I am surprised that Phil Hogan is prepared to risk the future of Irish farmers with such a reckless proposal.  After all, the Republic of Ireland exports more food and drink to the United Kingdom than to any other destination. 

“What Commissioner Hogan and others are proposing essentially amounts to an international border being placed between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. This is plainly incompatible with the Belfast Agreement, which affirms the fact that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom. 

“None of us are under any illusions that the Brexit process will bring challenges. Equally, we should all share the common aim of an open trading relationship between the whole of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The reality is that the best way to tackle these challenges is to move on to discussions about future trade between the United Kingdom and the European Union. 

“Rather than trying to ratchet up the tension and prolonging the present stalemate, Commissioner Hogan would be better off pushing for a deep and comprehensive, tariff-free, free trade agreement, and a new bespoke customs arrangement between the UK and the EU customs union, if he really does want these border issues to be resolved in a way that works for all parties involved.”