Defra update
Defra are working to compile a list of businesses that can take advantage of the authorised trader 3 month grace period, as outlined in the Command Paper last week. The grace period will only cover certain goods: products of animal origin (POAO), composite products, food and feed not of animal origin, and plants and plant products.
If you move these goods from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland (NI), please continue reading to assess whether your business can be added to the list.
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‘Authorised traders’ are supermarkets and their trusted suppliers
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The UK government will not discriminate against smaller suppliers or between different companies in recognising traders as authorised for the purpose of this grace period
A trusted supplier is one that independently moves its end product from GB to NI, for sale in NI.
- For example, a meat pie manufacturer that moves its own products from GB to NI, which delivers its products directly to a store for sale solely within NI would be in scope.
However, where a meat pie producer delivers products to a supermarket distribution centre in GB, which is then moved by the supermarket to NI, the producer would not qualify (but would not need to – the supermarket would be the authorised trader for that movement into Northern Ireland).
Self-identification by traders
Defra are compiling a list of authorised traders who can benefit from the 3 month grace period. Once identified the traders will be added to Defra’s list of authorised traders that will be sent to the European Commission.
You can also self-identify to apply for inclusion on the authorised traders list.
If you self-identify as an authorised trader, complete the authorised traders form. The form must be completed fully.
Make sure you provide your:
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business name
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company affiliation (if a supplier)
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Economic Operators Registration and Identification number (EORI)
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head office address
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NI distribution address (if relevant)
The form will ask further information on your operations. This information will be required to determine whether you are eligible for inclusion on the list.
Please email the completed authorised traders form to nisupermarketandsupplierlist@defra.gov.uk by 17.00 pm (GMT) on 28 December 2020. They will attempt to respond to all emails within 2 working days.
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please email nisupermarketandsupplierlist@defra.gov.uk.
The emailed response will either:
- confirm that your business is included on the authorised traders list and detail your business’s unique registration number
or
- contain a rejection letter with reasoning and steps to resolution. Businesses can challenge rejection decisions via email until 28 December 2020
If you have any queries relating to authorised trader requirements or the grace period, email nisupermarketandsupplierlist@defra.gov.uk.
We ask that you share this communication with colleagues or business associates who may be eligible for the authorised trader list.
