Eastwood: Tory and DUP Protocol Bill poses £600m threat to rural economy

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood has warned Tory and DUP MPs their Northern Ireland Protocol Bill risks making country areas of the north £600m poorer by cutting off the valuable European dairy market.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jul 2022, 10:30 BST
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The SDLP leader made the claim as amendments to the Bill were moved in the British House of Commons on Tuesday.

He asked the Alliance MP Stephen Farry if he agreed with 'me and with Mike Johnston, the chief executive of the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland, that the Bill risks making rural areas poorer by cutting off £600 million of trade?'

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Colum Eastwood has warned of the threat the Protocol Bill poses to the dairy sector.Colum Eastwood has warned of the threat the Protocol Bill poses to the dairy sector.
Colum Eastwood has warned of the threat the Protocol Bill poses to the dairy sector.

Mr. Farry said he did: "Indeed, and the dairy sector in Northern Ireland is absolutely clear. The provisions in this Bill are an existential threat to their business model, and we will come shortly to the consequences of that."

Mr. Eastwood moved an amendment to the Bill which proposed obliging the British Government to regularly report on steps being taken to 'promote, uphold, support and facilitate dual access to the British market and European markets for Northern Ireland' if and when the legislation passes. The amendment fell.

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Related topics:Colum EastwoodMPsNorthern IrelandStephen FarryProtocol