In a letter to his UK opposite number Michael Gove, Mr Sefcovic said any flexibility the EU was prepared to offer on how the Protocol is implemented will depend on the UK complying with what was agreed by both sides in December.
He said there were "very few identity checks" and, other than those carried out on live animals, "a very limited number of physical checks" on consignments entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain. "In addition, a number of consignments are entering Northern Ireland without being declared or without valid certificates," he wrote.
He writes: "We are thus not currently receiving the information as to how mutually agreed flexibilities including, eg, the trusted trader scheme, or simplified health certificates are being used in practice." Mr Sefcovic said he was "convinced" that the alleged non-compliance by the UK was down to "teething problems" which should be addressed through the Joint Committee.
He is correct.