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Post-Brexit checks at all Northern Ireland\u2019s ports will resume from Wednesday.<\/p>\nPost-Brexit checks at all Northern Ireland\u2019s ports will resume from Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Inspections of animal-based food produce arriving at Belfast and Larne ports were suspended last Monday amid concerns over the safety of staff.<\/p>\n
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council had raised concerns of \u201cmenacing behavior\u201d being aimed at workers.<\/p>\n
Threatening graffiti expressing opposition to a so-called Irish Sea border had appeared in the Larne area.<\/p>\n
The North’s former Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots ordered the suspension of checks shortly before stepping down from the role to receive medical treatment.<\/p>\n
His successor Gordon Lyons maintained the position.<\/p>\n
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) since said there was no evidence of \u201ccredible threats\u201d.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the North’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said checks will resume on a phased basis from Wednesday.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson said the decision was arrived at after receiving the full threat assessment from the PSNI, conducting their own internal risk assessment and liaising with staff and unions to put mitigations in place.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe department\u2019s permanent secretary and chief veterinary officer have confirmed that physical checks on products of animal origin at all Northern Ireland\u2019s points of entry are planned to recommence on a phased basis, as of tomorrow, Wednesday February 10th 2021,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in MLA Philip McGuigan welcomed the move but said \u201cserious questions\u201d remain for the Agriculture Minister.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safe return of workers is a priority and their safety must be paramount,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it is welcome that workers will be back in post, there are still serious questions to be answered by the Minister for Agriculture around how and why the staff were withdrawn in the first place and who made the decision.\u201d<\/p>\n