Irwin slams the protocol on tree movements

Mr Irwin (PICTURED) raised the issue in the Agriculture Committee in Stormont on Thursday and said that the Committee should be sending a loud and clear message on the unacceptability of the arrangements.

He stated: “This is a travesty and a scandal that we have a situation whereby tens of thousands of trees which have been ordered from suppliers on the mainland have been cancelled owing to the trade barrier that now exists which is preventing British trees from being planted on British soil. That really is an unfathomable and unacceptable situation.”

He continued: “The Woodland Trust, I understand, has cancelled an order for 22,000 trees which were destined for schools and greening projects throughout Northern Ireland. It has been reported that other businesses have cancelled significant orders in the thousands also representing a significant economic dent in their own operations. This is not an economically sustainable situation.

“Our own Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has a significant commitment for tree planting and this will obviously be impacted by these difficulties given the massive impact of the protocol. There is an increasing urgency around this issue and we cannot waste time on this matter and simply allow a drip feed of difficulties to arise. The protocol must be dealt with and dealt with in a way that removes ridiculous blockades to internal UK trade. The issue of trees is simply the latest example of this scandalous protocol in operation.”

He concluded: “Business have already fully explained the ridiculous outworkings of the protocol and to even suggest that tree roots could be washed prior to shipping is simply a nonsense that is economically and practically unviable. This issue must be dealt with rigorously and urgently and it is vital that progress is made in the shorter term as public unease and annoyance is growing by the day.”