Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has said concerns over the lack of preparedness for new Brexit rules at ports in the north once again highlights the need for the Brexit deadline to be extended. 

Chris Hazzard said: 

“When officials from DAERA briefed the agriculture committee yesterday it was clear there is still a significant amount of work to be done to prepare for the new checks which will have to come in on goods coming to the North from Britain as a result of Brexit. 

“Given the fact that the Brexit clock is ticking it was alarming to learn that serious preparations only got underway following the publication of the British government’s proposals at the end of May.

“This means officials are now racing against the clock to put a whole new system in place when they should have been allowed to begin these vital preparations earlier. It is an indictment of the head in the sand approach of the British government and their Brexiteer allies.

“Businesses have also made it clear they are crying out for detail about the new arrangements so that they can put measures in place to allow them to continue to trade but this has not been forthcoming.

“The North’s Business Brexit Working Group in its response to the British government proposals published today have said they are desperately in need of detail.

“Businesses need certainty, not questions and our farmers and food producers need detail not delays.

”All of this highlights the growing need for the Brexit deadline to be extended.”