Northern Ireland's agriculture minister has issued an order to halt agri-food checks at ports required by the Brexit deal.
Agriculture minister Edwin Poots said he had received legal advice which stated that he could order a halt to Northern Ireland Protocol checks.
Speaking at Stormont, Mr Poots said: "I have taken legal advice in relation to my position from senior counsel. Earlier today I received that legal advice. "It stated that at present there is presently no Executive approval for SPS checks. The implementation of SPS checks requires Executive approval. "A decision to initiate or continue such checks could not be validly taken in the absence of Executive approval."I have now issued a formal instruction to my permanent secretary to halt all checks that were not in place on December 31 2020 from midnight tonight.
"I will prepare a paper for Executive consideration in the near future to seek agreement on a way forward."
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Remote Northern Territory town hit by food shortages amid flood and Covid crisesAmpilatwatja ‘abandoned’ by authorities as road closures exacerbate supply shortages
Read more »
Smear tests might help pick up ovary and breast cancersResearchers believe they have found some in smear-test samples that could help identify women at higher risk of specific cancers.
Read more »
Northern Eden Project worth £125 million gets green lightPlans to transform the seafront of a deprived town into a £125 million northern outpost of the Eden Project have been given the green light
Read more »
Coco Pops launches hazelnut flavoured versionKellogg’s food experts have spent over a year perfecting the taste.
Read more »
UK Government told they must act now or risk more lives in AfghanistanResidents of disaster-torn Afghanistan have faced grinding poverty in the brutal winter after the economy collapsed following the Taliban’s takeover - and charities have pleaded with Boris Johnson's administration to provide more support.
Read more »