Post-Brexit checks to resume at Northern Ireland’s ports

By PA and Q Radio News

Post-Brexit checks on products of animal origin at all Northern Ireland’s ports will resume on a phased basis from Wednesday.

Staff had been withdrawn last week over safety concerns.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said the decision came after receiving the full threat assessment from the PSNI, conducting its own internal risk assessment and liaising with staff and unions to put mitigations in place.

In a statement to Q Radio a DAERA spokesman said: 

“After receiving the full threat assessment from the PSNI, conducting our own internal risk assessment and liaising with staff and unions to put mitigations in place, the Department’s Permanent Secretary and Chief Veterinary Officer have confirmed that physical checks on Products of Animal Origin at all Northern Ireland’s Points of Entry are planned to recommence on a phased basis, as of tomorrow, Wednesday 10 February 2021.”

It's understood staff will return to work at Northern Ireland ports from tomorrow, to continue Brexit checks.

Last week they were withdrawn from their duties amid concerns for their safety.

Since then, the PSNI has said there was no evidence of credible threats pic.twitter.com/A77Jwdyt1Q

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) February 9, 2021

Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has welcomed news that DAERA staff will return to work at the Port of Larne after being withdrawn due to reports of threats. 

Philip McGuigan 

"I welcome the news that DAERA staff will return to work at the Port of Larne after being withdrawn following reports of threats. 

"The safe return of workers is a priority and their safety must be paramount. 

"While it is welcome that workers will be back in post, there are still serious questions to be answered by the Minister for Agriculture around how and why the staff were withdrawn in the first place and who made the decision."