Northern Ireland Protocol needs work, says Logistics UK

As a result, the business group has raised concerns with representatives of both the EU and UK governments about the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which covers the special trading status between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Seamus Leheny, Logistics UK’s Policy Manager for Northern Ireland, attended a government roundtable last Thursday (18 February 2021), which was chaired by Michael Gove MP and European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič.

“Several formalities under the Northern Ireland Protocol are causing difficulties to logistics businesses,” said Seamus Leheny. “We need the right processes in place if the Protocol is to be successful in supporting trade flows. The roundtable opened a vital new dialogue between the business community and EU-UK governments but there is much work still to be done to smooth trade flows – industry needs to be given clarity, certainty and simplifications in the weeks and months ahead.

Logistics UK has made three key asks of government, as Leheny explained: “Firstly, we want to see the development of a Retail Movement Scheme to govern the transportation of agri-food goods, plants and animals between GB and NI. The checks on these items – known as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks – must be proportionate to the low risk these items present to health to prevent any unnecessary administration and delays. Secondly, industry needs to see the introduction of a Trusted Trader status for parcel operators to reduce expensive administrative burdens placed on business to consumer consignments. And finally, to enable the successful delivery of these schemes, the grace periods currently in place under the Protocol must be extended sufficiently to enable these longer-term simplifications to be agreed and implemented.”

The response from both government representatives present at the meeting was measured but encouraging. “Both the UK and EU government representatives expressed their commitment to reaching pragmatic solutions,” Leheny said, “and I look forward to meeting again on a quarterly basis to ensure the Protocol is best serving the business community.”

*www.logistics.org.uk/brexit

Published On: 25/02/2021 17:00:29

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