Speaking following confirmation that these rules will be enforced, Ms Lockhart said:

“The decision to press ahead with this draconian and illogical set of requirements is yet another blow to Northern Ireland’s agri-food and machinery sectors. There is absolutely no justification for this approach – especially given the recent UK-EU agreement on SPS arrangements, which the Government itself trumpeted as evidence that trust had been restored with Brussels.

Rather than pursue common-sense solutions, the Secretary of State and DEFRA have instead chosen to enforce the most stringent interpretation of EU law - without any regard for the consequences on Northern Ireland businesses or the UK internal market.

Whilst not expected to shift the dial dramatically, the work carried out by the previous government to seek the extension of the Plant Health Exports Audited Trader Scheme (PHEATS) to cover used machinery now seems to have fallen into abeyance. Instead, we are witnessing full-throated implementation of EU rules which bear no relation to the needs of local traders or the primacy of internal UK trade.

It is frankly absurd that items of machinery displayed at the Royal Highland Show in Scotland cannot return to Northern Ireland without a phytosanitary certificate and being cleaned to a standard set by a foreign power. This is bureaucracy gone mad - costly, cumbersome, and completely unnecessary.

“This situation creates enormous uncertainty and imposes real, measurable costs on Northern Ireland’s suppliers of used agriculture machinery and contractors. It erodes the integrity of the UK internal market and highlights the ongoing constitutional harm inflicted on Northern Ireland under the current Windsor Framework arrangements.

“I call on the UK Government to stop hiding behind process and start standing up for the interests of the United Kingdom. Ministers must challenge this undemocratic and oppressive imposition of EU laws on trade flows between GB and NI and I will be seeking engagement with both the Cabinet Office and DAERA to articulate these concerns. Our businesses deserve clarity, fairness and equal treatment - not red tape or punishment for simply trying to do their job.”