Green Party says it still backs deal which creates Irish Sea border – but distances itself from how it is harming the environment

The leader of the Green Party has stood over her support for the Northern Ireland Protocol which creates an Irish Sea border – despite evidence that the border is now perversely incentivising environmental destruction.
By Sam McBride
Published 27th Jan 2021, 07:05 BST
Updated 27th Jan 2021, 10:23 BST
Garden centres can no longer buy plants from Great Britain if they even have a few particles of British soil on their roots – but can buy them planted in peatGarden centres can no longer buy plants from Great Britain if they even have a few particles of British soil on their roots – but can buy them planted in peat
Garden centres can no longer buy plants from Great Britain if they even have a few particles of British soil on their roots – but can buy them planted in peat

On Monday the News Letter reported how EU rules have banned British soil from being imported to Northern Ireland and prevent even the importation of bare root plants which have a few particles of GB soil or bark-based peat-free compost.

However, EU rules do not ban the importation of plants grown in peat, meaning that plant nurseries in GB now are being incentivised to use peat – despite that destroying bog habitats which help prevent flooding and hold in the earth vast volumes of carbon which will otherwise speed climate change.

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Last September Ms Bailey – along with the Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance leaders – signed a letter which urged the government to ”honour its commitments, and to now ensure the rigorous implementation of the Protocol, prioritise peace and stability in Northern Ireland, and work to secure a future economic partnership with their EU colleagues now and in the weeks ahead”.

The News Letter asked Ms Bailey if she knew about this problem when she endorsed the protocol and whether, if she did not know about the issue, what she thought should now be done to prevent needless environmental destruction.

The party responded by saying that it did not support parts of the protocol which are damaging the environment.

Ms Bailey said in a statement that Brexit was to blame for the problem and she stood over her support for the document which creates the Irish Sea border.

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The South Belfast MLA said: “The problems experienced by Northern Ireland traders, including horticulturists and growers, are a direct consequence of Brexit.

“The Green Party NI opposed Brexit, we don’t believe there is such a thing as a good Brexit and the protocol agreed between the UK government and the European Union offers minimal mitigations for us. The reality is that we’re only just beginning to feel the negative consequences of Brexit.

“The Tory government has repeatedly demonstrated they can’t be trusted. The environmental fallout of Brexit is of serious concern and I do not expect the Tory government to uphold anything close to EU environmental standards.”

She said it was “the responsibility of the UK government to rectify issues experienced by traders and others as a result of new trading arrangements between GB and NI” and added: “I have raised the concerns of the horticultural industry with the environment minister through the AERA committee, of which I’m a member ... I have asked for clarification and guidance from the minister about the importation of plants and propagating material from Great Britain and products containing peat-reduced compost or bark and for support for those working within the industry.”

READ MORE:

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Gardeners snagged by farcical new Irish Sea border rule as British soil is banned from Northern Ireland because of Brexit – and harmful peat is promoted

Sam McBride: Shackled to Brexit, Arlene Foster can’t admit that it has been disastrous for Union – but Irish Sea border is radically reshaping NI

Sam McBride: A week into the Irish Sea border, it is already clear that Northern Ireland will be profoundly reshaped by Brexit

System for getting supplies to Northern Ireland may be five days from collapse due to Irish Sea border, hauliers warn Michael Gove

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M&S temporarily withdraws hundreds of items from sale in Northern Ireland due to Irish Sea border red tape

Top customs expert admits: New Irish Sea border is ‘cumbersome’ and hugely complex – even for me, with 40 years experience

Irish Sea border which Secretary of State Brandon Lewis claims doesn’t exist empties shelves and ends business in Northern Ireland

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Related topics:Northern IrelandIrish SeaProtocolGreen PartyBrexitNews LetterBrandon Lewis