Government says poppies aren't covered by Irish Sea border rules after all - after initially accepting that they were
The Secretary of State says remembrance poppy sales are not covered by EU rules under the Windsor Framework, after the government initially accepted that they were – but argued it wouldn’t be a “priority” for enforcement.
Ulster Unionist MP Robin Swann – who raised the issue in parliament – has welcomed the news that poppy sellers will not have to follow the “unnecessary” regulations.
The Royal British Legion had said that anyone selling poppies in Northern Ireland this year will be required to have EU-mandated signs and stickers on display showing they have permission to sell the charity emblems here, a situation Mr Swann branded “absurd”.
In a social media post, Hilary Benn said that rules requiring charities or companies to display signage don’t apply to poppy sellers.
“I was concerned to read reports recently about poppy sales in Northern Ireland and EU rules, and although sales are continuing as normal, I am happy to confirm that the Royal British Legion's (RBL) Poppy Appeal is not subject to the EU’s General Product Safety Regulation. I have therefore written to the Director General of the Royal British Legion in Northern Ireland to make this clear.”
Mr Swann said he was very pleased that the Secretary of State “has acted on this” – adding that “guidance will be updated to ensure those running Poppy Appeal stands and events are not asked to follow unnecessary EU GPSR Regulations”.
The South Antrim MP said the “clarity” and commitment to update guidance “is very welcome news and a win for common sense.”
The initial government response to the matter was that nothing in the EU regulation had stopped poppies being sold in NI – and the RBL are putting up stands as normal. Mr Swann described that response as dismissive, and said it “misses the point entirely”.
Last week the NIO doubled down on its position, and in a statement to the News Letter was clearly of the view that the rules did apply to poppy sales.
An NIO spokesperson said “enforcement of rules is targeted where there is an actual need based on consumer rights or safety - we cannot envisage that checking stickers on the boxes of poppy selling volunteers is a priority of those enforcing product safety rules”.