![]() The Government says that there is now “no border in the Irish Sea” and the Northern Ireland Secretary writes that “it ends all trade barriers”. In this Kafkaesque world, “disapplication” of EU law is actually a new EU law – one which the EU can change or suspend unilaterally if it wishes. In fact, what has happened is that the EU says it will pass a law itself (it hasn’t yet) setting the conditions under which UK-standard food and drink may move from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. For example, we are told that 1,700 pages of EU law have been “disapplied” in Northern Ireland. So the changes talked up by the Government aren’t always quite what they seem because they have to take place within this existing framework. Indeed, the EU’s explainer says that “the Windsor Framework within the framework of the Withdrawal Agreement, of which the Protocol is an integral part … All new arrangements fall within this pre-established framework”. It is slightly amended but remains in place, and EU law remains supreme in Northern Ireland. ![]() The Protocol is simply renamed the “Windsor Framework”. It is not obvious that this new deal changes this basic structure, only how it is applied. The EU must be confident that goods moving into Northern Ireland meet its standards and are authorised under EU customs, and that is what creates the trade barriers. These EU laws work as if Northern Ireland was an EU member, enforced by EU institutions and ultimately the European Court of Justice. To restate them: the Protocol currently applies EU laws on customs, the goods single market, VAT and state aid in Northern Ireland. What this deal does not seem to do is change the fundamentals. And Stormont can, maybe, obstruct the application of certain new EU laws in Northern Ireland. There is new, but not complete, flexibility on VAT and excise duty rates. Customs burdens are reduced and UK-standard food and drink can now be sold in Northern Ireland. The negotiating team has worked hard to get a deal making the Protocol easier to operate, including changes to the Protocol text, which the EU had hitherto refused. In short, it’s going to happen.Īt one level, so it should. ![]() It is hard to see much real parliamentary opposition and the DUP’s position remains uncertain. Most Conservatives, including some prominent Brexiteers, without much evident scrutiny or reflection, have come out in support. $6,000 for a lifetime worth of wine - time to drink up.What are we to make of Monday’s announcement of a new deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol? The Government certainly seems to have landed it well. Who knows what a sustainable & boutique bottle of wine will go for in 10-20 years? Not only that, but a full return on the investment is guaranteed after the seven-year mark. Truly a unique proposition, something that can only be described as a Roth WineRA. An excellent deal when considering rising inflation rates. Instead, this is about making sure customers always have some delicious wine on hand. Not to take the place of a customer's favorite bottle, or that 30-year-old French classic they were gifted on their wedding night. Thus, Obvious Wines has created something to alleviate wine worries. Our goal is to make that same peace of mind more accessible." "Working in the wine trade, we can be somewhat desensitized to such conveniences as we often have an excess of great boutique wine on hand. "What if you always knew you had a quality wine to come home to? What if you never had to worry about having wine for an unexpected guest again? What if you were always prepared to bring delicious French sparkling wine to any event on the calendar?" asks Brice Baillie, Obvious Wines founder and CEO. Any wine currently listed on the Obvious Wines website is eligible for order, shipping and taxes are covered, and limited-edition wines are also eligible. "Life of Wine" is Obvious Wines' new lifelong wine membership: for $6,000 members get the ability to order four bottles of wine per month, every month, for the rest of their life at no additional cost.
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