The trade body for drinks manufacturers and suppliers in Ireland has welcomed the latest Brexit deal between the UK and the EU.
As reported by the Daily Mail, yesterday, six ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the deal which ensure Northern Ireland will keep the same rules as the rest of the UK.
The deal also rules out calls by the party ‘Sinn Fein’ to give Northern Ireland ‘special status’ which would have seen it to have different rules to the rest of the UK.
And, as the Daily Mail reported, the deal spelled out that Northern Ireland will not be separated ‘constitutionally, politically, economically or regulatory’ from the rest of the UK.
In response to the agreement, the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) said that a free moving cross-border supply chain is ‘essential’ for the drinks industry. According to the ABFI, Ireland’s ‘all-island’ drinks trade means companies operate in both NI and ROI.
Patricia Callan, the director of ABFI, said: “Many companies operate their sourcing, production and bottling as if there was no border between the north and south.
“Therefore, a solution to the border issue was of paramount importance for the industry and we welcome the deal struck between the UK and the EU.”
The ABFI also hailed a decision by both the UK and EU to continue to recognise Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream liqueur and Irish Poitín as products that can only be produced on the island of Ireland.
Callan said: “Ireland’s three spirit Geographical Indications operate on an all-island basis, recognised and enforced by both Irish and UK authorities.
“We welcome the commitment made to ensure this remains the case. GI protection means these three spirits can only be made on the island of Ireland in line with an EU approved technical file.
“GIs protect the integrity and quality of these spirits categories and the investment being made in production and employment on the island of Ireland.”