Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people in his Department are working on the implementation of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There are approximately 20 Full Time Equivalents working closely with DAERA officials to implement obligations under the Windsor Framework.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 11 March 2024 to Question HL2323 on Import Controls: Northern Ireland, how much and what proportion of the funding allocated to the construction of those posts has been disbursed as of 11 March 2025.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities are under construction in Northern Ireland at the ports of Belfast, Larne, Foyle and Warrenpoint. Preparations are well underway, and they will be operationally ready by July 2025.
The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £70.7 million up to the 28 February 2025, the latest data currently available.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 11 March 2024 to Question HL2323 on Import Controls: Northern Ireland, what recent progress he has made on the construction of those border control posts; and what recent estimate he has made of when the construction of those posts will be completed.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities are under construction in Northern Ireland at the ports of Belfast, Larne, Foyle and Warrenpoint. Preparations are well underway, and they will be operationally ready by July 2025.
The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £70.7 million up to the 28 February 2025, the latest data currently available.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where in Northern Ireland border control posts have (a) been and (b) are being constructed for the purpose of complying with the Windsor Framework.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In line with the commitments we have made under the Windsor Framework, SPS inspection facilities are under construction in Northern Ireland at the ports of Belfast, Larne, Foyle and Warrenpoint. Preparations are well underway, and they will be operationally ready by July 2025.
The Government has committed to a maximum funding envelope of £192.3 million. Of this envelope, Defra has spent £70.7 million up to the 28 February 2025, the latest data currently available.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much (a) his Department has and (b) his Department's arms length bodies have spent on hospitality in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) since 5 July 2024.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We do not routinely publish this data, as has been the case under successive administrations. All Business Units within Defra have a responsibility to carefully manage official hospitality costs and demonstrate good value for money.
Details of ministerial and senior official hospitality are published on a quarterly basis, and are available on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798 on Forest Products: Northern Ireland, what estimate his Department has made of the annual costs of running the competent body with respect to its role in EU Regulation 2023/1115.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798, whether his Department has had discussions with (a) the Ulster Farmers Union and (b) businesses on the (i) potential cost and (ii) other practical implications of compliance with Regulation EU 2023/1115.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers are currently considering our approach to Regulation 2023/1115 in Northern Ireland. The Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity, noting also that the EU Commission has proposed to delay the implementation deadlines by 12 months to 30 December 2025.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to prepare for the coming into force of the Windsor Framework (Retail Movement Scheme: Plant and Animal Health) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2024.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
These regulations came into force on 2 September. Ministers and officials regularly engage with businesses, trade bodies and others to provide support and to inform our implementation of the Windsor Framework, including on these regulations.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798 on Forest Products: Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterpart on the application of EU Regulation 2023/1115 to Northern Ireland; and if he will publish the minutes of those discussions.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.
Asked by: Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice - North Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4798 on Forest Products: Northern Ireland, what estimate his Department has made of the annual costs to businesses in Northern Ireland arising from achieving compliance with EU Regulation 2023/1115.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers are currently considering our approach to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) in Northern Ireland, and the Government will communicate relevant arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity.