Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:
“Today’s statement by the Secretary of State cannot conceal the lamentable failure of the government to stand up to the EU.
“It is the EU’s preposterous assertion of sovereignty over Northern Ireland and our agricultural industry which has produced this crisis whereby traditional supplies from GB are being jeopardised. Instead of standing up for Northern Ireland the government has largely rolled over, devoting its energy to encouraging reorientation of our supplies so that they come from the EU, not GB. Diversion of trade is obvious, despite the attempt to dress it up as ‘taking the steps needed’ to continue supplies of veterinary medicines.
“Downplaying the deficit of available supply of vital medicines to 10-15% is but an attempt to spare their blushes over letting down a sector within their own country – and this because they have ceded authority to a foreign and intransigent power.
“Past experience of proclaimed internal market protections have invariably proved useless, and so, I fear, will today’s attempt at papering over the cracks.”