Specific rules relating to the entry into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom of certain consignments of retail goods, plants for planting, seed potatoes, machinery and certain vehicles operated for agricultural or forestry purposes, as well as non-commercial movements of certain pet animals into Northern Ireland

The European Parliament adopted by 619 votes to 2, with 6 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on specific rules relating to the entry into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom of certain consignments of retail goods, plants for planting, seed potatoes, machinery and certain vehicles operated for agricultural or forestry purposes, as well as non-commercial movements of certain pet animals into Northern Ireland.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading by taking over the Commission's proposal.

This proposal reflects the joint solutions on food, plants, seeds and pet animals’ issues regarding Northern Ireland found by the Commission and the United Kingdom where the food is consumed in Northern Ireland, the plants and seeds are used in Northern Ireland and the pets stay in Northern Ireland. It lays down specific rules relating to the entry into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom of certain consignments of retail goods, plants for planting, machinery and vehicles, which have been operated for agricultural or forestry purposes, seed potatoes, as well as non-commercial movements of pet animals.

The new rules mean:

- a drastic simplification of the requirements and procedures for the entry into Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom of certain retail goods subject to SPS Union acts destined for final consumers in Northern Ireland, with safeguards guaranteeing the protection of animal or plant health on the island of Ireland, of animal, public or plant health, and of the consumers in the Union’s internal market and the latter’s integrity;

- the United Kingdom’s public health and consumer protection standards can apply to those retail goods moved by authorised operators to Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom and consumed in Northern Ireland, with adequate markings and under appropriate safety conditions;

- non-commercial movement of pet animals accompanying persons travelling to Northern Ireland from other parts of the United Kingdom and staying in Northern Ireland would be able to move with simplified travel documentation.

The proposal empowers the Commission to adopt the necessary implementing acts for the application of the specific rules on official controls and simplified certification requirements once the United Kingdom has offered certain guarantees and met certain conditions.