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Government is listening to Logistics UK’s concerns over border target operating model, says Minister of State
Logistics UK’s Head of Trade and Devolved Policy, Nichola Mallon, raised members’ concerns over the draft Border Target Operating Model - which will introduce new controls on imports from the EU and Rest of the World from October 2023 - at a roundtable meeting with Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office.
Requested by Logistics UK’s CEO David Wells in a formal letter, the meeting provided a timely opportunity to highlight to Baroness Neville-Rolfe the concerns the sector has about the future movement of goods across the UK’s borders, as well as the challenges logistics operators will face and the potential solutions the industry believes government should include ahead of final publication of the new UK Border Import Model.
“Given the very challenging timescales and the raft of changes to customs, border and trading processes businesses will need to adopt, we pressed government for more details to enable members to prepare effectively for these new import control changes,” said Mallon.
“We also highlighted challenges faced by groupage operators under the new model and concerns about the financial impact of new processes and charging proposals, at a time when consumers are already trying to cope with exceptionally high food inflation.”
Logistics UK also asked for further details on the government’s assessment of the state of readiness among EU and Rest of World suppliers and pressed the need for clear and meaningful engagement structures. This would enable the logistics industry to be involved in shaping the implementation stages of this new border model, helping government to swiftly identify operational difficulties and solutions.
“Baroness Neville-Rolfe assured us that government is listening to our concerns, is trying to address them in the final Border Operating Model and is committed to working with us throughout the implementation stage,” concluded Mallon.
Logistics UK will continue to make sure its members’ voices are heard at the highest level of government.
*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns
Published On: 31/05/2023 12:05:00
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In brief
Logistics UK comments on further REUL bill amendment
After the 24 May 2023 debate in the House of Commons about the Retained EU Law bill, Logistics UK’s Policy Director Kate Jennings said:
“Our members need certainty over the terms under which they trade, and while the government's recent changes to the Retained EU Law Bill provide some reassurance they aren't facing a regulatory cliff edge, it remains vital that government confirms the scope and scale of the legislation that is yet to be amended, and the timescales under which changes are to be made. The logistics sector is flexible and adaptable but cannot keep making last minute changes to trading arrangements if the supply chain is to be protected – business needs a clear understanding of what is to be reformed and by when, to keep the UK trading effectively.”
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