Update on UK-EU Relationship: week commencing 19 July 2021
Northern Ireland Protocol still not resolved before summer recess.
Last week the NI Affairs Committee reviewed the impact of the NI Protocol six months on. Lord Frost appeared before the Sub-Committee in the House of Lords, saying that a recent spike in trade across the Irish border was a sign that Northern Ireland firms were finding it too difficult to trade with their preferred suppliers in Great Britain.
The European Scrutiny Committee is looking into the institutional framework of the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Evidence to the European Scrutiny Committee on the TCA can be submitted until the 31 July 2021. The call for evidence is aimed at organisations that will be impacted by legal and policy developments in particular relating to changes in EU regulation in the key areas like financial services, pharmaceuticals and energy.
Monday 19 July – The European Scrutiny Committee will hear evidence from Lord Frost and Julian Braithwaite on the UK’s new relationship with the EU.
Tuesday, 20 July – Business and Energy Industrial Strategy Committee taking evidence on Liberty Steel and the future of the UK steel industry.
Wednesday 21 July – The Home Affairs Committee is questioning the Home Secretary on immigration generally. There is a debate on the role of the Trade and Agriculture Commission in negotiation international trade deals.
Thursday, 15 July – The Welsh Affairs Committee is discussing the implications for Wales of the UK/Australia trade deal and the House of Lords will debate ‘The future UK-EU relationship on professional and business services’.
The House of Commons and the House of Lords will be in recess until Monday 6 September.
Key Dates for 2021:
- 30 September: New date for GB-NI trade in chilled meat products.
- 1 October: Ending of grace period before mandatory provision of food safety paperwork when moving agri-food goods between GB and NI.
- 1 October (but extendable to July 2022): Deadline for determining whether the UK meets the conditions for exchanging personal data under the Prüm framework.
- 31 December: Deadline for first review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) provisions on air transport with a view to further liberalisation of ownership and control of air carriers.
- 31 December: end of 12-month adaptation period for GB businesses to implement new EU regulation in relation to the flow of medicines to NI.
