UK opts out of “Not for EU” labels outside Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS), agreed as part of the Windsor Framework following negotiations between the EU and UK, is not going to proceed with the next phase of its plan, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report. This scheme was to introduce mandatory “Not for EU” labelling throughout Great Britain – England, Scotland and Wales, as of 1 October 2024. Currently, exporters require individual “Not for EU” product labels for meat and dairy products when exporting to Northern Ireland only.

While phase two coverage is expanding as planned, where all milk and dairy products will be covered, it will be in Northern Ireland only for now. The UK government is still leaving the door open to applying the policy in the future on a case-by-case basis, it says.

Earlier this year, the UK government had held a public consultation on the impact of the proposed policy. Feedback from the consultation influenced its decision not to proceed, although some companies have already implemented the labelling (see photo).

The third phase of the NIRMS is set to continue in Northern Ireland only. This will apply as of 1 July 2024 and increase the number of products requiring individual “Not for EU” labels. These products include pet food, unprocessed fruit and vegetables, fish, eggs, honey and composite products, and will apply to any products exported into Northern Ireland, including from the US.

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