UK businesses can apply for retrospective grants of up to £50m to help cover the cost of new food labelling requirements under the Windsor Framework, which amends the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol. The government plans to offer flat-rate grants adjusted by company size to businesses that can show added labelling expenses, as long as they have already signed up to the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme. The grants will be available to businesses between January and March next year, with application instructions to follow.
UK Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris has praised the DUP’s proposals for honest feedback, saying they have improved the new trusted trader scheme. The scheme has seen 1,600 new businesses register, compared to those on the previous scheme. New labelling rules come into effect this week under the Windsor Framework, although some retailers have already implemented them. The protocol maintains Northern Ireland’s status within the EU single market for goods but also imposes checks and controls on food products from Great Britain.
Under the Windsor Framework, UK public health and safety standards, rather than EU standards, will apply for all retail food and drink, making trading from Great Britain to Northern Ireland simpler. To give assurance that products are not being sold wrongly in the single market, “Not for EU” labels will be required on food products from Great Britain. The Movement Assistance Scheme, which serves to support Northern Ireland’s food industry and consumers, has been extended until June 2025
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