Brexit checks on animals and food produce at Larne and Belfast ports have been suspended due to concerns for the staff on duty.
Mid and East Antrim Council has withdrawn staff from the roles at Larne Port.
Graffiti showing opposition to the border has been daubed on walls in some loyalist areas including Glengormley in recent days.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said it had decided ‘in the interests of the wellbeing of staff to temporarily suspend physical inspections of products of animal origin at Larne and Belfast’ pending further discussions with the PSNI.