EU to take legal action over UK move to change terms of the NI protocol

The European Union has launched legal action against the UK over its decision to change the terms of the Northern Ireland Protocol by unilaterally extending grace periods which eased the full implementation of the protocol.

The Commission has sent the UK a Letter Formal Notice for breaches of substantive provisions of EU law concerning the movement of goods and pet travel made applicable by virtue of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič has also sent a political letter to David Frost, the UK’s co-chair of the Joint Committee, calling on the UK government to rectify and refrain from putting into practice the statements and guidance published on 3 March and 4 March 2021. The unilateral measures are seen as a violation of the duty of good faith under Article 5 of the Withdrawal Agreement.