Written questions by Allister.

For what reason goods imported to Northern Ireland from (a) China and (b) other non-EU countries are charged a higher third country duty tariff than goods imported from those countries to Great Britain.

Under the terms of the Windsor Framework, goods being brought into Northern Ireland from non-EU countries attract customs duty at the relevant EU rate if they are deemed ‘at risk’ of entering the EU. In some circumstances those duties can be waived or the difference between the EU and UK rate reimbursed. If the goods are not regarded as ‘at risk’ of entering the EU they will attract customs duty at UK rates.

What the (a) volume and (b) value was of (i) goods and (ii) other materials sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Data on goods moved into Northern Ireland from Great Britain can be obtained from the official statistics produced on the GOV.UK website. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published a Summary of movements of goods into Northern Ireland from Great Britain covering 2023. Details for 2022 and 2021 are also available. HMRC do not have details prior to 2021 as this information was not collected before EU-Exit .

Food and Rural Affairs, how many staff in his Department are responsible for managing the flow of trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and what the cost to the public purse was of these measures in the last 12 months.

Defra does not hold this specific information but further details of the department's overall expenditure can be found in the Defra Annual Report and Accounts 2022-23 (publishing.service.gov.uk).

Food and Rural Affairs, in which locations checks are carried out on goods transported between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that such checks are commensurate with (a) relevant legislation and (b) the policy paper entitled Safeguarding the Union, published on 31 January 2024.

In line with UK rules for sanitary and phytosanitary matters, checks on goods are carried out throughout the entire supply chain. This government is committed to making this process as smooth as possible for UK businesses.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department (a) has deployed and (b) plans to deploy staff to specifically regulate the movement of plants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; and what will inform that decision.

APHA oversees biosecurity measures and conducts in-season inspections, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) establishes plant health policy. Inspections specifically related to plant movements in Northern Ireland are carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) where they are required.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether implementation of the (a) Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 and (b) Safeguarding the Union Command Paper will affect documentary checks on goods travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

We are committed to working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive in taking forward all of our commitments under the Windsor Framework in this regard and will set out further detail on future operational arrangements in due course.