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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Windsor Framework Implementation

    The Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 came into force on 12 April 2024. The Regulations confer powers upon the Secretary of State in relation to Articles 5-7 and Annex 2 of the Windsor Framework, however, the UK Government has committed to exercising these powers only to the extent necessary to support the operation of the Windsor Framework, including relevant commitments of the Safeguarding the Union command paper.

    The Secretary of State has indicated his intention is to exercise direction and control with respect to the following areas:

    • The delivery (including legislative delivery as required on matters where direction and control is being exercised) of the arrangements adopted between the UK and EU as set out in the Windsor Framework, as agreed at the UK-EU Joint Committee on 24 March 2023; and
    • The operation of arrangements under the Windsor Framework concerning the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or for direct movements into Northern Ireland, and incidental matters thereto. That would encompass arrangements at Northern Ireland ports and airports, the oversight and administration of relevant schemes to support internal UK trade established by the UK Government, any further legislation related to any of those elements, and any policy developments that would impact on GB-NI movements.

    The Secretary of State has now also exercised discretion under Regulation 3 of the Windsor Framework (Implementation) Regulations 2024 not to exercise direction and control over functions concerned with disease awareness, disease preparedness and disease control in respect of both Animal and Plant Health, effective from 17 May 2024, across all legislation listed below, as relevant.

    Legislation Subject to the Direction and Control of the Secretary of State

    In practical terms, there are currently areas of EU legislation listed in Annex 2 of the Windsor Framework where the Secretary of State is not currently exercising discretion, that is, they are subject to the direction and control of the Secretary of State. This legislation is detailed at List of Legislation Under Defra Secretary of State Direction and Control.

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    Great Britain to Northern Ireland Pet Travel Guidance

    This page explains the current requirements and the new rules, effective from 4 June 2025, for pet travel into Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

    Windsor Framework SPS Compliance Protocol NI

    A compliance protocol which sets out the requirements for SPS movements into Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework; and the EU Official Controls Regulations (OCR) is currently under development. Please refer to the links below in the interim.

    Sending Parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland

    New guidance has been published in relation to the movement of parcels from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to Northern Ireland.

    SPS Inspection Facilities

    This page provides details about the new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Inspection Facilities at the ports of Belfast, Foyle, Larne, and Warrenpoint. This page will be updated on a regular basis as further details become available.


    Warrenpoint SPS Inspection Facility

    This page provides key information for operators and hauliers using the Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) Inspection Facility at Warrenpoint Port. This includes the location, contact details, opening hours, and the specific categorises of goods the facility is designated for.

    Authorised Veterinary Medicines Inspection Branch (AVMIB)

    DAERA has recommenced the programme of Veterinary Medicine Inspections in January 2026.

    Related to Windsor Framework Implementation

    Most recent publications

    • List of Legislation Under Defra Secretary of State Direction and Control

      Published 15 October 2025
    • New SPS Facilities - Location Leaflets

      Published 16 June 2025
    See all publications in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs including Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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