EU is brainstorming tweaks to hated Irish backstop to avoid No Deal Brexit after Boris Johnson insists it must be scrapped
EU diplomats are brainstorming a new Brexit deal compromise of a stripped down Irish backstop in a bid to avoid No Deal.
Representatives from the 27 member states in Brussels are discussing possible tweaks to the controversial border fix after PM Boris Johnson insisted it must be scrapped, The Sun can reveal.
A plan under consideration would see the scope of the backstop whittled down and largely confined to covering livestock, plus animal and plant products.
The private discussions amongst diplomats in Brussels at still at an early stage, but still contrasts with the EU’s public line that the Withdrawal Agreement cannot be reopened.
An EU source told The Sun: “That’s where Boris is already having success - at least we’re thinking at the highest levels about alternatives”.
Under the compromise solution, Northern Ireland would mirror Brussels rules on animal and plant health to allow “seamless” trade in agricultural products.
But in return Brussels would agree to take a “controlled risk” on all other goods crossing the border from the UK into Ireland.
Goods would be tracked by a system of alternative arrangements championed by Brexiteers, such as trusted trader schemes.
The EU would not apply tariffs to any goods crossing the border from Britain, including those falling outside the scope of regulatory alignment – a major “concession” on their part, Brussels sources said.
And there would be an emergency break to be triggered if countries like China tried to use Northern Ireland as a backdoor into the Single Market.
It is thought that under such a plan the EU would only have to monitor around a fifth of the goods crossing the Irish border as of today.
DRASTIC MEASURES
And the whole of the UK would be freed from swathes of Brussels regulation not covering veterinary and food standards even if the backstop were used.
But the plan would still require “Max Fac” checks on livestock and animal and plant products travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland – risking fury among Northern Ireland unionists.
Diplomats have also mulled taking more drastic measures, like time-limiting the backstop, but have strong reservations about such a move.
They fear that talks on a future trade deal with the UK could easily overrun a five-year expiry date, leaving Ireland in limbo.
Brussels is also skeptical the Withdrawal Agreement would pass Parliament even with a time-limited backstop given the stance of hardline Brexiteers.
Another option would be to kick the border issue into future partnership talks as requested by Mr Johnson.
But diplomats say that would mean Britain could hold the EU “hostage” in such negotiations, a situation which they “want to avoid at all costs”.
Member States have been particularly alarmed by the PM’s indication in his letter to Donald Tusk that the UK will diverge from EU rules in the future.
Mr Johnson wants to ditch Brussels’ plan for a Level Playing Field mechanism and go for a straight “bare bones” Canada-style FTA.
MOST READ IN BREXIT
A diplomat said: “The problem is the level of integration required to avoid a border in Ireland goes much further than the ambition of the UK government.”
And Brussels sources urged caution over hopes of an imminent breakthrough ahead of Mr Johnson’s first face-to-face meeting with EU chiefs at the G7.
One said: “I don’t have the idea we’re really on the track of going somewhere. We’re still far off any serious discussion.”
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