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<p>I refer the Hon Member to the <a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-05-20/debates/07EBAEC6-2593-4969-9A2C-C115FBEEDBBF/NorthernIrelandProtocolUKApproach"
target="_blank">oral statement</a> - accompanying the publication of the Government
Command Paper, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-approach-to-the-northern-ireland-protocol/the-uks-approach-to-the-northern-ireland-protocol"
target="_blank">UK's Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol</a> - which was made
by my Rt Hon Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 20 May. I also refer
to the commitment in the Command Paper, to publishing further detailed information
and guidance. These will be published in due course.</p><p>As the Command Paper, The
UK's Approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol, sets out explicitly, we are clear
that there should be no tariffs on internal goods movements because the UK - as the
Protocol acknowledges - is a single customs territory. The paper outlines several
examples of movements that pose no risk of movement into the EU Single Market - such
as a supermarket delivering to its stores in NI. This is a principle to be formalised
in the Joint Committee, but as the Command Paper makes clear we consider there to
be various ways of making it work in practice. We will work closely with the Northern
Ireland Executive and businesses to develop these proposals, and produce full guidance
to business and third parties before the end of the transition period.</p><p>On unfettered
access, the Protocol is clear that nothing in it prevents Northern Ireland business
enjoying unfettered access to the rest of the UK internal market, and we will legislate
to guarantee this by the end of the year.</p><p>On agri-food, the Government's approach
builds on the long-standing status of the island of Ireland as a single epidemiological
zone. As has long been acknowledged, some checks on agri-food will be required to
help protect supply chains and the disease-free status of the island of Ireland. These
will build on the existing precedents of agri-food checks for live animals arriving
in Northern Ireland, from the rest of the UK. Further details are to be discussed
with the EU in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee.</p><p> </p>
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