Logistics UK chief raises Brexit concerns with government

POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS

Together with Seamus Leheny, Logistics UK’s Northern Ireland Policy Manager, Wells proposed a number of potential solutions from industry which could alleviate the issues being experienced.

“With only five days between the confirmation of the Free Trade Agreement with the EU and the end of the Transition Period,” Wells said, “it was always likely that businesses would be testing systems in real time from 1 January 2021. This process has highlighted issues with several areas of trade between GB and NI, including problems with Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary checks on food consignments, a lack of capacity among Customs intermediaries and a significant imbalance between shipments to and from NI which is having a significant effect on NI hauliers.”

GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGES ISSUES

Wells continued: “Mr Gove acknowledged the problems which logistics operators are experiencing and promised to consider the solutions we proposed. These included grant support to hauliers affected by increased empty running, a Trusted Trader Scheme to facilitate swifter SPS checks and an advice line targeting SMEs to assist them in their preparations for moving goods. In addition, Logistics UK suggested that the proposed solution to the groupage issues experienced by those moving goods to NI be fully resourced with clear guidance for industry as soon as possible.”

*www.logistics.org.uk/brexit
 

Published On: 28/01/2021 15:30:45

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