Leo Varadkar’s optimism on Brexit may be wishful thinking
The hiccup in the talks this week is largely the product of an attempt by London to ‘park’ the frictionless border
David Davis, Britain’s Brexit minister: A European Commission paper suggested that it seems ‘essential for the UK to commit to ensuring that a hard border on the island of Ireland is avoided’. Photograph: AFP/ Getty Images
When the UK published its paper on the Northern Ireland dimension of the Brexit talks in August it addressed the issue of the “agri-food border” on the island with a suggestion that it claimed “could ensure that there would be no requirement for any sanitary and phytosanitary or related checks for agri-food products at the border”. A big promise.
By ensuring continuing regulatory convergence on both sides of the Border, the paper argued, common standards could be maintained and there would be no need for customs controls.