some sources in Brussels - bit surprised that wider political forces in Northern Ireland can’t see that EU effectively willing to bend rules to allow “cherry picking” for NI alone - and that NI could win business/ factories from being regulatory bridge between UK & EU27...
That’s obviously not how the DUP see it... but Brussels sources genuinely believe NI being offered a potential best of both worlds unique position...avoiding a “border in the Irish Sea” is relevant in this view, only for human beings, not goods, imports, exports, livestock etc...
There are already checks on some livestock imports and exports between Great Britain and Northern Ireland - border checks in the Irish Sea - for livestock... reflect all Ireland regulatory standards... eg here’s an import form for pigs from GB into NI 
Meanwhile DUP not impressed with the briefing around “Max Fac 2” buffer zones and dual systems... and weren’t consulted...
DUP’s Sammy Wilson says PM should “put her foot down” with EU and stand by her “No Deal is better than a good deal” commitment instead of “half-baked” ideas
*half-cooked rather than half-baked
