Windsor Framework [UPSC Notes]

The future of Northern Ireland has been settled through a historic deal known as the “Windsor Framework” between the UK and the EU. Read this article to understand what the Windsor Framework is for the IAS exam international relations segment.

What is the Windsor Framework?

A new agreement to alter the Northern Ireland Protocol’s functioning was announced by the European Commission and the UK. 

• The Northern Ireland Protocol will be replaced by the “Windsor Framework”.
• The Protocol entered into force in January 2021, and since then, the EU and the UK have been in negotiations for two years.
• Northern Ireland can continue to be a part of the EU’s single market and customs union according to the Windsor Framework.
• It will remove many of the onerous procedures that were put in place on products coming from the British mainland as part of the first Brexit agreement.
• With the new arrangement, commodities moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and those continuing into the EU will be divided into “green” and “red” lanes.

Know more about the Northern Ireland Protocol and the Northern Ireland conflict in the linked article.

Major topics included in the agreement:

Trade:

• The Windsor Framework intends to make it easier for commodities to pass through Northern Ireland coming from the UK and the EU.
• In order to streamline trade through two lanes, the Framework will see the establishment of two new trade routes in Northern Ireland:
  • Red Lane: Prior to crossing the Irish Sea, the goods being transported must clear all customs inspections. Items that are going to Ireland or the rest of the EU must use the red lane, which comes with additional checks such as customs.
  • Green Lane: This will allow UK-made goods going to Northern Ireland to pass through customs unchecked.

Source: Financial Times

Taxes:

• The Windsor Framework will change Northern Ireland’s tax laws.
• Northern Ireland was historically bound to tax policies established by Brussels due to the requirement that it remain in the single market and have a physical border with Ireland. 
• Nevertheless, this has since been changed, thus Northern Ireland will now be subject to the UK’s decision regarding VAT and excise.

Medicines:

• The deal will also make it possible for pharmacies and medical facilities in Northern Ireland to sell and prescribe drugs that are currently governed by UK regulations.
• The choice will permit the use of these medications as soon as they receive UK approval.

What is Stormont Brake?

The Stormont Brake allows the democratically elected Northern Ireland Assembly to object to new EU goods regulations that would have a major and long-lasting impact on Northern Ireland’s day-to-day existence.

• With the implementation of the Windsor Framework, Stormont will be given the opportunity to weigh in on any changes to EU law that may affect Northern Ireland. It is called the Stormont Brake.

Northern Ireland Protocol issues

• The Northern Ireland Protocol was a significant component of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan.
• A hard border on the island of Ireland was avoided by the 2020 signing of the Brexit agreement.
• Northern Ireland was the only part of the United Kingdom that continued to share a land border with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member, after the United Kingdom left the bloc.
• Before goods transit from Northern Ireland to Ireland, border inspections would be required since the EU and the UK have separate product requirements.
• Trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland was complicated by the checks done between the two countries.
• Due to EU regulations, some tax and expenditure initiatives of the UK government could not be implemented in Northern Ireland.

Significance of Windsor Framework 

• The Windsor Framework will still give the EU some influence over Northern Ireland. Several industries will continue to be subject to EU legislation, particularly those that deal with food and animal products, and the European Court of Justice will continue to be the deciding body in these cases. 

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