Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies last week questioned the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland over support for North Wales businesses trading with Northern Ireland, referring to issues which have been highlighted to him by a local cheese company.
Speaking in the House of Commons, James said Snowdonia Cheese Company have found trading with Northern Ireland "costly and restrictive" and asked the Secretary of State, Brandon Lweis MP, what steps his department is taking to address such issues.
He said:
"Businesses based in Great Britain, such as the Snowdonia Cheese Company in my constituency, tell me that while it is possible for them to trade with Northern Ireland, doing so can be very involved, costly and restrictive.
"The current application of the Northern Ireland protocol is therefore hampering business growth and success. Will my right hon. Friend confirm how businesses like Snowdonia Cheese stand to benefit from the provisions in the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill?"
The Secretary of State replied:
"My hon. Friend makes an important point on why the Bill matters. Freedom to move products within the UK’s internal market without impediment is critical. The proposed legislation will enable businesses to trade freely once again by delivering new green and red lane arrangements.
"It will remove unnecessary costs and work for businesses trading within the UK, while ensuring the necessary checks are done, quite properly, for goods entering the EU."
Speaking afterwards, James said:
"I'm sure the response I received from the Secretary of State will be very much welcomed by Snowdonia Cheese and other businesses in North Wales who are currently trading with Northern Ireland and experiencing the same problems.
"We need to be doing all we can to support businesses and this proposed legislation will address the disruption and diversion of trade and significant costs and bureaucracy for business."
