The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has recently announced that traders moving organic products from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI) are now eligible for financial support, following the expansion of the Movement Assistance Scheme (MAS).

MAS means traders do not need to pay certain certification costs for moving agri-food products from GB to NI. The costs incurred by products being inspected and certified by a certifying officer, now including organic control bodies, are being reimbursed by the Government up to a set amount. These measures will support traders as they continue to move agri-food goods from GB to NI.

Following a successful launch and recent review, the scheme will continue to support traders. The Government will continue to monitor the performance of the scheme and will review it again in three months’ time, to determine how best to provide ongoing support to traders.

From 1 April 2021, traders moving certain high-risk foods and feed of non-animal origin (those products listed in Annex 2 of regulation 2019/1793 and products originating from countries listed in Annex 1 of regulation 2020/1158) will be eligible for financial support through the scheme.

Further guidance on exporting or moving high risk food and feed of non-animal origin to the EU or Northern Ireland can be found here.