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The European Union is expected to formally launch legal action against the UK for unilaterally extending the post-Brexit grace periods to trade in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\nThe European Union is expected to formally launch legal action against the UK for unilaterally extending the post-Brexit grace periods to trade in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
In an escalation of tensions, the European Commission was preparing on Monday to take the move over the British government\u2019s alleged breach of the Northern Ireland Protocol.<\/p>\n
The EU has suggested the UK may be in breach of international law for extending the light-touch regulatory periods, that were due end this month, until October.<\/p>\n
The grace periods cover areas such as supermarket supplies and parcel deliveries to Northern Ireland from Great Britain and mean checks are not yet fully applied.<\/p>\n
Downing Street was yet to receive a letter notifying it of the infringement proceedings on Monday morning, but one was expected to be dispatched later in the day.<\/p>\n
British prime minister Boris Johnson has said the extensions are \u201cvery sensible\u201d, with the UK government denying there has been a breach of the protocol.<\/p>\n
The Northern Ireland Protocol of the Withdrawal Agreement was designed by the UK and EU to avoid a hardening of the border on the island of Ireland when the post-Brexit transition period ended on December 31st.<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland remains part of the EU\u2019s single market for goods, meaning products arriving from Great Britain face EU import regulations.<\/p>\n
The first of the grace periods had been due to expire at the end of this month but the UK has pledged to extend them until October in a move widely welcomed by businesses in Belfast.<\/p>\n