Northern Ireland would become a “smugglers' paradise” if the UK-proposed no-deal tariffs were enacted, according to Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Robin Swann.

“In their desperation to be seen to take the moral high ground on avoiding a hard border here, the UK Government has effectively proposed turning the province into a smuggler's fantasy,” Swann said.

It probably isn't even legal under World Trade Organisation terms

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“By slapping steep tariffs on many agricultural products such as meat and dairy products between the UK and ROI, but leaving tariff-free access between ROI and Northern Ireland, it’s blatantly obvious what will happen.”

“It’s a preposterous situation and one which probably isn't even legal under World Trade Organisation terms.”

The proposals have yet to be accepted by the EU and European Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan slammed the proposals, telling RTÉ News that the UK tariff-regime was “ill thought-out”.

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