Boris Johnson was apparently surprised to learn from EU officials of the extent of the checks that would be enforced at the Irish border under his alternative customs policy , according to sources . The conversation took place during a lunch with European union leader , Jean - Claude Juncker , and the country 's chief Brexit negotiator , Michel Barnier , in Luxembourg , The Guardian reported . Johnson was reportedly shown that even if euro Ireland agreed to EU rules on sanitary and phytosanitary measures for food and livestock , the majority of goods crossing the Irish border would still need checks .
Boris Johnson was apparently surprised to learn from EU officials of the extent of the checks that would be needed at the Irish border under his alternative customs plan, according to sources. The conversation took place during a lunch with European Commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, in Luxembourg, The Guardian reported. Johnson was reportedly shown that even if Northern Ireland adheres to EU rules on sanitary and phytosanitary measures for food and livestock, the majority of goods crossing the Irish border would still need checks.