BUSINESSNEWS
Huge obstacles still to be negotiated on road to Brexit
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THE GOVERNMENT ’ S technical notices for a No Deal Brexit released on 13th September will create an array of red tape and paperwork , and yet still do not provide answers to the key questions being asked by those responsible for moving the UK ’ s goods and services between the UK and Europe , according to FTA , the leading business group . Speaking after the release of the documentation , by the government ’ s Department for Exiting the EU , Pauline Bastidon , FTA ’ s Head of European Policy , urged negotiators to continue to press for a deal :
“ While it is encouraging to finally see some of the government ’ s plans for a No Deal Brexit , which provide helpful clarifications in some areas , there are still key processes to be agreed if the UK logistics sector and “ just in time ” economy is to be protected ,” says Ms Bastidon . “ The fact that the UK driving licence would only be accepted in partnership with an international driving permit would create delays and confusion for many operators , some of whom may not even be aware that they would require additional paperwork . Of real concern is that these permits would not be available to purchase at every post office , ( the papers suggest 2,500 outlets , rather than the full network ), and will not be on sale until 1st February , leaving operators precious little time to undertake the necessary administration ahead of Brexit day itself .
“ No detail has yet been provided on the issue of whether permits will be required by vehicles travelling to and from Europe - and time is marching on . At this point , we expect
only 1,224 permits to be made available to UK hauliers every year if they wish to travel to the European Union - that number pales into insignificance when you consider that the Port of Dover can handle up to 10,000 vehicle movements each day . Without a significant improvement in the planned number of accepted permits for HGVs travelling across the border , there is a very real threat to the integrity of the UK ’ s supply chain , and delays and product shortages could be a reality while alternative suppliers are sourced and arranged .
“ Unavoidable queues would quickly build up as hauliers wait for permits to be returned to the UK , and delays would be inevitable . Hauliers will not be able to travel without the requisite documentation , so this must be front and centre for negotiations when they resume , while hauliers should prepare for additional levels of red tape and administrative tasks , and a learning period as they adapt to the new regimes .”
“ There is still a large amount to do to keep Britain trading efficiently with its biggest customer , the EU and to suggest that these are processes which can be implemented swiftly would be to ignore the complexity of a huge administrative task , which is now being placed on the UK ’ s freight industry . The UK ’ s logistics sector is the beating heart of the economy , and one on which most businesses rely for goods , services , raw materials and ingredients . Without secure , safe and timely logistics movements between the UK and the EU , on which many schools , hospitals , shops and other businesses have come to rely , they will find it difficult to source goods in the short to medium term , while new trading arrangements are confirmed . That would create the very real risk of shortages and empty shelves . The priority now must be to secure a new UK / EU road transport agreement - an even more urgent priority than a trade deal . Without permits there will be no trucks - and without them , no trade . No one voted for that outcome .”
Efficient logistics is vital to keep Britain trading , directly having an impact on more than seven million people employed in the making , selling and moving of goods . With Brexit , new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain , logistics has never been more important to UK plc . A champion and challenger , FTA speaks to Government with one voice on behalf of the whole sector , with members from the road , rail , sea and air industries , as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers .
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