Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president Ivor Ferguson has said there are “significant difficulties” with current proposals to replace the Irish backstop in the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

The Alternative Arrangements Commission, chaired by Tory MPs Greg Hands and Nicky Morgan, has published an interim report with proposals which aim to allow the Irish border to remain open after Brexit, but for the UK to have a trading policy independent of the EU.

Recommendations include inspections of agri food products at points away from the border, as well as the establishment of special economic zones and trusted trader programmes to reduce the need for customs checks.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Ivor Ferguson said that the UFU has asked the commission to quantify the economic cost of its alternative measures and ensure it protects the integrity of the NI agri-food industry.

“There will be significant difficulties to deliver 100% checks of accompanying health certificates, supporting documentation and risk-based physical inspection of agri food products using technical or administration processes,” he said.

The backstop is opposed by some Brexiteers, as it could effectively stop the UK from pursuing its own independent trade policy after Brexit

Various NI-based business groups have poured cold water on the interim report, with Manufacturing NI stating that the “cost and complexities” of the proposals would result in “significant economic harm”.

However, both Conservative Party leadership candidates Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt want to replace the Irish backstop with alternative border arrangements to get a Brexit withdrawal agreement through parliament.

The backstop is opposed by some Brexiteers, as it could effectively stop the UK from pursuing its own independent trade policy after Brexit.

Ivor Ferguson said that the UFU appreciates the “constructive aims” of the Alternative Arrangements Commission, but he reiterated the union’s opposition to the UK leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement.

“We are totally opposed to the default position of a no-deal scenario and acknowledge the need for pragmatism rather than an ideological approach to solving the problems of the Irish Border and its future post-Brexit,” he said.

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