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UK Internal Trade: Northern Ireland

Asked by Jim McMahonLabour (Co-op)Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 8 December 2025UIN 95427

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many physical compliance checks on farming, food and drink related goods were made at ports on routes between NI and GB for each year from 2015 to date.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

In line with the commitments we have made, we will ensure that the only checks when goods move within the UK are those conducted by UK authorities as part of a risk-based or intelligence-led approach to tackle criminality, abuse of the scheme, smuggling and disease risks. But in order not to undermine that approach, as is the case across the UK we do not disclose the specific number or nature of interventions made by UK authorities.

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