The EU's chief Brexit negotiator says he is "confident" a solution can be found in the next 48 hours over a possible ban on chilled meat products from GB being sold in NI.

European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič has appeared before a Stormont committee.

Products such as chilled sausages were due to be prohibited from Thursday as a result of the NI Protocol.

The protocol is part of the Brexit deal that creates a border in the Irish Sea.

It keeps NI in the European Union single market for goods.

The EU does not generally permit the import of chilled meat products like mince and sausages from non-member states.

But the UK has asked the EU to delay the ban through extending a so-called grace period.

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Mr Šefčovič said he had been in "intensive contact" with the European Parliament and EU member states in recent days about the UK's request.

"While I cannot today announce the EU's formal agreement to the request, but after all the internal contacts I have had, I remain confident we can find a solution in the next 48 hours that will address both sides' needs and concerns," he said.

"I hope to be bringing such optimism to Northern Ireland more in the future."