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<p>Northern Ireland Office and Defra Ministers and officials continue to engage regularly
with the Northern Ireland Executive as we get on with delivering the Protocol and
preparing for the end of the transition period.</p><p> </p><p>The Northern Ireland
Executive and its relevant departments are critical partners and our engagement is
intended to enhance understanding of approach and ensure appropriate planning.</p><p>
</p><p>We continue to support the Northern Ireland Executive on implementing the Northern
Ireland Protocol in a way that minimises any frictions on the flow of agrifood trade
and works for Northern Ireland businesses and citizens. This work includes providing
support to deliver the sanitary and phytosanitary operational arrangements necessary
post-transition, including all elements relating to the people, processes, IT and
facilities at Northern Ireland Points of Entry.</p><p> </p><p>We have already reached
an in-principle agreement to fund the costs of implementing agrifood requirements
in Northern Ireland, as part of our wider commitment in the New Decade, New Approach
agreement to engage with the Executive on the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland
and the Protocol as we examine funding options to support preparedness.</p><p> </p>
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