Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on (a) the provision of guidance and (b) support to businesses in Northern Ireland in relation to UK-EU trade arrangements.

The Government’s renewed partnership with the EU will deliver a broader range of benefits for people and businesses across the UK. These include an SPS Agreement which, once implemented, will help facilitate the smooth flow of agrifood and plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, reduce costs for businesses and improve consumer choice. The common understanding, signed on 19 May, will now be developed into a legal text.

The Government engages with the Northern Ireland Executive on an ongoing basis both formally and informally. Additionally, the Northern Ireland Executive is formally represented in a number of fora relating to the UK-EU relationship.