Fields and waterways that straddle the border may increasingly be subject to two different environmental protection regimes, according to a new report on the impact of Brexit.
Think tank UK in a Changing Europe’s latest report says areas not covered by the Northern Ireland Protocol, including elements of environmental protection and recognition of professional qualifications, will mean the border will become more pronounced.
‘The Brexit Files: from referendum to reset’ report said such Brexit impacts need not become crises but should be anticipated in order to be resolved.
Ahead of February 1’s fourth anniversary of the UK officially leaving the EU the report from the think-tank examines the impact of Brexit and its future implications.
It warns that a “lack of detail” around what the British government wants from its reset in relations with Brussels risks making it harder for the UK to achieve its objectives.
The report calls on the Labour administration to set out specific objectives promptly, ahead of negotiations on closer ties with the EU.
In relation to the Ireland, the report warns that the ramifications of Brexit will become increasingly evident as the UK diverges from the EU in areas not covered by the protocol.
Queen’s University Belfast’s Katy Haywood writes: “The Northern Ireland/Ireland border will become more pronounced, for example, in relation to non-recognition of professional qualifications or differing environmental protection standards being applied at either end of a field or lake straddling the border.
“Such Brexit impacts, wherever they fall, do not have to become crises. The key lies in anticipating them.”
SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole said he and his party had “been consistent in calling out not just the well-rehearsed views of one corner of unionism but the vast range of damages to the all-island economy not covered by the protocol”.
He said the party’s recent ‘Our European Future’ paper called for “action on the whole range of negative cross-border impacts”, with details shared with the UK and Irish governments, as well as the EU.
“As well as action on the huge range of north-south disruptions we want to take advantage of the opportunities for our young people and businesses arising from our unique position in relation to Europe,” he said.
