The Ulster Unionist Party has formally requested that the UK Government pause the ongoing implementation of the Windsor Framework.

The call comes as the current administration indicates a strategic shift toward closer regulatory alignment between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA highlighted recent communications from the government as a primary reason for the requested delay. According to the UUP, Labour ministers have recently advised the farming industry in Great Britain to prepare for a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement in 2027. Furthermore, the Chancellor has suggested that any future divergence from EU regulations would only occur by exception.

The party argues that continuing with the current framework could lead to unnecessary and expensive divergence between Northern Ireland and its primary market in the rest of the UK. Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA said: "Last week, the Ulster Unionist Party asked the Prime Minister to consider pausing any further introduction of Windsor Framework legislation, particularly as the Government's clear direction of travel is towards ever-closer alignment between the UK and the EU. In the space of days, Labour ministers briefed Great Britain's farming industry to prepare for an SPS agreement in 2027, while the Chancellor has since told industry that divergence from EU regulation would be by exception. Rather than forcing Northern Ireland into further costly and ultimately unnecessary divergence from our main market; our own country, now is the time to pause further implementation of the Windsor Framework. If the UK and EU are now negotiating in good faith, a pause on the introduction of additional EU regulations and directives would be both sensible and widely welcomed."