Any Enhancement of SPS facilities for Protocol wholly inappropriate

Crala Lockhart MP • January 13, 2023

DUP EFRA Spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP has said proposals by the Government to press ahead with the enhancement of sanitary/phytosanitary facilities in Northern Ireland is wrong, and will only confirm to those within the agri-food sector that the negative and detrimental impact of the Protocol on movements across the Irish Sea is potentially being entrenched.

Speaking from Westminster, Carla Lockhart said:

 

“The priority for the DUP is to ensure that Northern Ireland’s place within the U.K. internal market is fully restored and within that to see the protection of our agri-food sector, and its freedom to again operate on a UK wide basis. 

 

We have been making the case, based on our seven tests that in new arrangements there should be no checks on goods moving in any direction within the U.K. internal market and no new regulatory barriers developed between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom unless agreed and supported by the Assembly and Executive. 

 

For the Government to press ahead, without clear explanation,and take powers to build enhanced inspection points is a retrograde step. I know that on a weekly basis I am contacted by those within our agri-food sector who are encountering difficulty due to the terms of the Protocol. We need to see these issues addressed, not reinforced.

 

Our Party Leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, has made clear to Lord Benyon that this move is inappropriate. We need the Government to step back from any attempt to entrench the Protocol and instead seek solutions that will work for Northern Ireland and that will command broad support within Northern Ireland.”

Share

Minister must act to support next generation farmers in NI

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 13, 2026
DUP Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has raised concerns about the lack of financial support for young people in Northern Ireland who are serious about a future in farming.

Government must listen and review damaging inheritance tax reforms

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 12, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is urging the government to listen to the electorate and reconsider its controversial approach to British farming.

Lockhart pledges support for Mind Your Head campaign

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 12, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart pledged her support for the Farm Safety Foundation’s Yellow Wellies Mind Your Head campaign, during this week’s parliamentary drop-in event at Westminster.

Lockhart Praises Young Entrepreneurs at Rushmere Trade Fair

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has praised the talent, creativity and confidence shown by local pupils at the Young Enterprise Big Market Trade Fair, held at Rushmere Shopping Centre . Schools from Banbridge , Lurgan and Portadown were well represented at the event, which showcased a wide range of student-led business ideas and products. 

Lockhart Praises Reopening of Captain Cook’s in Banbridge

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 11, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart , has welcomed the reopening of Captain Cook’s, describing the revamped Banbridge eatery as a real boost for the local area.

Lockhart Condemns Approval of Puberty Blockers Trial Involving Children in Northern Ireland

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 10, 2026
Upper Bann MP, Carla Lockhart, has strongly condemned the decision to approve participation in a UK wide puberty blockers clinical trial involving children, describing the move as a serious failure of safeguarding and child protection.

Lockhart Secures High-Level Royal Mail Meeting Over Unacceptable Postal Delays in Banbridge and Across Upper Bann

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 9, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has secured a high-level meeting with senior management from Royal Mail in London to address ongoing and unacceptable postal delays in Banbridge and across the wider Upper Bann constituency, with particular concern around delays to vital correspondence such as hospital appointment letters.

Lockhart welcomes judicial review and peer recognition of burdensome farm tax reforms

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 5, 2026
Confirmation that the High Court has ordered an urgent judicial review into inheritance tax reforms has been welcomed by the DUP’s Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP.

Lockhart accuses SES of paralysing NI’s agricultural planning process

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 5, 2026
The DUP’s Westminster Agriculture spokesperson, Carla Lockhart MP, has accused Shared Environment Services (SES) of paralysing Northern Ireland’s planning system.

Stark Cancer Statistics Expose Unacceptable Delays

By Carla Lockhart MP • February 4, 2026
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has warned that shocking new figures on cancer treatment in Northern Ireland expose a health service struggling to deliver timely care and has called for urgent action including free travel support for patients and ring-fenced funding to address chronic delays.