Final phase of ‘Not for EU' food labelling comes into force
The Government believes the labels are likely to become unnecessary when the UK and EU finalise a new agrifood deal.
The labelling is required under the rules of the framework to ensure goods are not moved onwards from Northern Ireland into the rest of the EU.
The Windsor Framework, which replaced the Northern Ireland Protocol, means the region adheres to certain EU laws regarding goods.
Meat products shipped from Britain to Northern Ireland have required the labels since October 2023 and dairy products since October 2024.
The final phase, which began on July 1, includes eggs, fish, fruit and vegetables, some composite products and some other products.
The extension of the labelling was recently branded 'bureaucratic madness' by the chief executive of Marks and Spencer, Stuart Machin, who said a new agrifood deal 'can't come soon enough'.
It is understood that the Government does not expect any products to become unavailable in Northern Ireland due to the new labelling regulations.
However, it is also to shortly finalise new contingency powers that would mean if it sees any adverse impact from the rules, it could enforce 'Not for EU' labelling across the whole of the UK and remove any incentive for suppliers not to send products to Northern Ireland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Russia discusses tax cuts for Gazprom, raising tax on other gas producers, Interfax reports
MOSCOW, July 2 (Reuters) - The Russian government has been discussing possible tax cuts for energy giant Gazprom ( opens new tab that would be paid for by raising the tax burden on other gas producers, the Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday, confirming a Reuters report. Interfax cited Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Sazanov as saying such discussions had taken place, but that no decision had yet been taken.
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
DWP announces 'old' and 'new' PIP system ahead of benefits shakeup
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has confirmed that those currently receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will not be affected by the proposed changes outlined in the new welfare reform Bill. The Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) primary disability benefit presently provides between £116.80 and £749.80 every four weeks to nearly 3.7 million people in England and Wales. However, the proposed changes to eligibility will impact new PIP claimants when implemented next year. The DWP chief explained this will effectively create two PIP systems, pre-November 2026 and post-November 2026, operating concurrently to support individuals with disabilities, long-term illnesses, or physical or mental health conditions. The Government's reversal on welfare cuts is expected to cost taxpayers around £2.5 billion by 2030, Ms Kendall told MPs on Monday, outlining concessions to Labour rebels. She noted that it is "very common throughout the benefits system to have existing claimants protected on old rules and old rates. That is what we are doing today". The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will confirm the financial details of the UK Government's adjusted welfare plans during the Autumn Budget, as reported by the Daily Record. With regards to worries over a possible "two-tier" benefits system for existing PIP recipients, Ms Kendall pointed out: "The fact is, our welfare system frequently ensures that existing claimants are shielded from new rates or rules, as people build their lives around that support and adjusting can be extremely challenging." Previous forecasts by the DWP suggested that proposed reforms could see an additional 150,000 individuals sliding into poverty by 2030. Whilst this number is lower than the initial estimate of 250,000 additional cases of relative poverty brought on by housing costs, it remains a significant cause for concern. The DWP's published modelling noted the estimate did not account for potential positive effects from increased funding and support for people with disabilities or long-term health conditions seeking employment. Ms Kendall maintained that the revised amendments for PIP and Universal Credit "ensure no existing claimants are put into poverty". Ministers are counting on these concessions to avoid defeat when MPs cast their votes for the reforms on Tuesday, particularly in light of a "reasoned amendment" proposed by senior Labour backbencher Dame Meg Hillier. This amendment had the support of 126 Labour MPs, a number sufficient to jeopardise Sir Keir Starmer's majority. However, on Friday, Dame Meg characterised the concessions as a "workable compromise". Labour MP and chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, Debbie Abrahams, has spoken out about the UK Government's apparent backtrack on previously negotiated concessions. Speaking to ITV News, Ms Abrahams labelled the concessions as "good" but cautioned that they were not quite sufficient for a deal just yet. Ms Abrahams expressed her discontent, saying, "The actual offer that was put to one of the negotiating team wasn't actually what we thought we had negotiated on Wednesday and Thursday. There are some issues around that." Her statement reflects unease over the negotiation process's transparency and outcome. Concerns were also raised by both Dame Meg and Ms Abrahams in the Commons regarding the timeliness of a forthcoming review of PIP led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms, suggesting it may not impact the planned changes set for November 2026 soon enough. On the opposing side, Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately has levelled criticism against the UK Government, accusing them of making "unfunded U-turns costing billions and welfare plans that are not worth the paper that they are written on". She sharply criticised, "Their latest idea is a two-tier welfare system to trap people in a lifetime on benefits and deny them the dignity of work while leaving the taxpayer to pick up the ever-growing bill." Tory leader Kemi Badenoch confirmed the party's stance on Monday evening, stating they would vote against the Labour Government's proposals, dismissing them as "not serious welfare reform". Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone Find out what's happening near you
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Ukraine looks to jointly produce weapons with allies, while US halts some shipments
Ukraine is forging ahead with embryonic plans for joint weapons production with some of its international allies, top officials said, while the U.S. announced it was halting some arms shipments promised to help Ukraine fight off Russia. Those plans come at what appears to be a key point in the all-out war launched by Moscow nearly 3½ years ago. A renewed Russian push to capture more Ukrainian land has put Ukraine's short-handed defenses under severe strain, and Russian missiles and drones are battering Ukrainian cities. U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to find a peace settlement, meanwhile, have stalled. As Washington has distanced itself under U.S. President Donald Trump from Ukraine's war efforts, a bigger onus has fallen on European countries to pressure Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday held their first direct telephone call in almost three years. Macron's office said that during their two-hour conversation, the French leader underlined France's 'unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity' and called for a ceasefire. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that officials are preparing with a sense of urgency for upcoming meetings with European Union countries and other partners to talk about cooperation in weapons manufacturing. 'One of the key topics will be weapons production – our joint investments, joint projects,' Zelenskyy said in his daily address on Tuesday evening. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that draft legislation on joint weapons production with international allies is expected to be put to a vote in the Ukrainian parliament later this month. The proposed laws were shown to national defense companies on Tuesday, Umerov said. The program includes plans to create a special legal and tax framework to help Ukrainian defense manufacturers scale up and modernize production, including building new facilities at home and abroad, according to Umerov. Earlier this week, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said during a visit to Kyiv that Germany aims to help Ukraine manufacture more weapons more quickly. He was accompanied on the trip by German defense industry representatives. The U.S. is halting some weapons deliveries to Ukraine out of concern that its own stockpiles have declined too far, officials said Tuesday. Certain munitions were longer-term commitments promised to Ukraine under the Biden administration, though the Defense Department didn't provide details on what specific weapons were being held back. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry summoned the U.S. chargé d'affaires, John Hinkel, on Wednesday to discuss ongoing defense cooperation. Deputy Foreign Minister Maryana Betsa thanked the U.S. for its continued support, but emphasized the 'critical importance' of maintaining previously allocated defense packages, especially for bolstering Ukraine's air defense. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Pentagon's decision will help bring a settlement closer, because "the fewer weapons supplied to Ukraine, the closer the end of the (war) is.' The United States has been Ukraine's biggest military backer since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor on Feb. 24, 2022. Under Trump, there have been no new announcements of U.S. military or weapons aid to Ukraine. Between March and April, the United States allocated no new aid to Ukraine, according to Germany's Kiel Institute, which tracks such support. For the first time since June 2022, European countries surpassed the U.S. in total military aid, totaling 72 billion euros ($85 billion) compared with 65 billion euros ($77 billion) from the U.S., the institute said last month. Washington's latest decision could remove some of the most formidable weapons in Ukraine's battlefield arsenal. Analysts say Ukraine's European allies can fill some of the gaps and provide artillery systems. But they don't possess alternatives to the U.S.-made HIMARS missiles and air defense systems, especially Patriots, which are crucial to help defend Ukrainian cities from Russian air attacks. It's not clear how much weaponry Ukraine possesses or what its most urgent needs are. ___
