Great Britain and the European Union have reached an agreement on regulations to facilitate trade between Northern Ireland and the British mainland from 2021. British Secretary of State Michael Gove told the British House of Commons on Wednesday that the agreement with Brussels ensures that Northern Irish shops are free of all tariffs.

The Irish broadcaster RTE says that from January 1, 98 per cent of goods shipped from England, Scotland and Wales to Northern Ireland will be exempt from duty. The remaining two percent will only apply if the UK and the European Union fail to reach a trade agreement.

Trade agreements for Northern Ireland were a key point in the Brexit talks, as the UK’s single border with the European Union will remain in place between Northern Ireland and Ireland from 1 January.

“British sausages will continue to go to Belfast and Balinese in the New Year,” Gove said. The withdrawal agreement, previously signed between London and the European Union, was discussed with EU Vice President Maros Sefkovic. Negotiations took place in parallel with the strong negotiations between the European Union and Great Britain on the post-Brexit agreement to clarify trade relations from January 2021.

The Brexit agreement signed in January between Great Britain and the European Union paves the way for an internal-Irish border. It has been establishing an open border between Ireland, a member of the European Union since 1998, and the British province of Northern Ireland, to establish a peace treaty on the Irish Islands.