New EU law on the way - as DUP MLA's comments highlight practical reality for business of different regimes within the UK

MLAs on the scrutiny committee were notified that the EU is seeking to add a new law on organic pet food to the legislation applicable here under the Windsor Framework.

The UK government is engaging with Brussels on the new EU act, but an ‘applicability motion’ process – like that seen in Stormont on Tuesday – has yet to be engaged.

The framework committee chair, Sinn Fein MLA PhiIip McGuigan said it will be notified to the Assembly at the earliest opportunity.

It is unclear if MLAs were aware of the detail of new DUP – Government ‘checks legislation’ which will curtail their ability to probe future decisions made by the Secretary of State.

The Windsor Framework committee agreed with the Sinn Fein chair that there should be an initial discussion on the new pet food law to “inform a possible plenary debate” on the new law in the Assembly.

The DUP’s committee vice chair David Brooks said his party “would have some concerns around the labelling implications of it”.

He said: “I think GB already has an agreement with the EU that would allow their products to enter the EU without compulsory EU labelling and therefore it would expose our companies to an unfair cost implication… relative to their GB competitors”.

Officials will be asked to give evidence on the impact of the legislation next month.

Under the Windsor Framework, MLAs have a say on whether they support the addition of new EU laws to Northern Ireland.

However, Stormont does not have a veto – the UK government can proceed if they feel the law doesn’t meet certain criteria allowing ministers to block it. Even if they do, the EU can take action it feels appropriate in response.

In the meeting, the DUP’s Jonathan Buckley asked for pre-notification of new EU laws – as this hadn’t happened with previous legislation.

Sinn Fein’s Declan Kearney also asked for as much advance notice as possible.