The transport and logistics industry has given a qualified welcome to plans to streamline border procedures, which have emerged from the EU/UK Summit today (19 May).
Agreed changes to the new Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, which aim to simplify and speed up food import and export processes between the UK and EU, have been broadly welcomed by industry bodies.
The move aims to reduce costs and delays for cross-border goods movements by removing certain checks on food and drink exports, including in both directions between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, eliminating certificates and controls in this area that have hampered trade flows and freight movements.
Richard Smith, RHA managing director, said: “The initial news coming out of the summit will be welcomed by businesses, specifically those operating in Northern Ireland, as, if implemented, these changes will potentially reduce friction and enable smoother trade between GB and NI and within the UK internal market.
“While more technical details are still emerging, these initial changes are welcome.”
However, the RHA continued to express concerns over other Windsor Framework specific regulations, citing ongoing lack of clarity and real-time communication in a range of areas - including the definition of ‘at risk’, and the current TSS model.
“We again urge Ministers to recognise the significant ongoing impact on the Northern Ireland supply chain” added Smith.
The RHA also noted that although reduced red tape and streamlined border procedures should help address trade reduction, it remains concerned about driver availability.
Smith said: “British international hauliers, coach operators and live event hauliers working in Europe are currently restricted by the 90/180-day rule. We welcome further UK-EU talks on this critical issue.
“We await further technical details on all commitments and will continue monitoring developments closely while remaining ready to collaborate with decision makers and trusted partners on finding solutions.”
Logistics UK hailed the proposed changes to the required checks on plant and animal products moving between GB and EU, and between GB and Northern Ireland, as having the potential to strengthen the UK Internal Market and boost trade with the EU, by reducing bureaucracy, costs and border friction.
Nichola Mallon, Logistics UK head of trade and devolved policy, said that the revisions will be welcomed in principle by the sector, but added that full judgement will be reserved until the detail can be assessed
She added: “The new deal has the potential to drive growth throughout the UK by boosting GB agrifood trade to NI, and between GB and the EU, through reduced bureaucracy, costs and border delays. While the technical details have yet to be agreed, our members will welcome the deal in principle.
“It is now vital that the technical discussions and implementation, shaped by the input of businesses which have the expertise, are completed as a matter of urgency, so that UK traders and logistics businesses can realise the benefits of trading under the revised terms.
“The current requirement for Sanitary and PhytoSanitary (SPS) checks on plant and animal products moving between GB and EU and vice versa is adding time, bureaucracy and cost to UK traders and logistics operators.
“It is a burden that is hard to manage for SMEs and groupage operators in particular, as they must pay fees on each of the smaller shipments that they combine together.”
Mallon concluded: “There are still challenges facing the logistics sector when it comes to customs, the Schengen Area rule of a maximum of 90 days stay within any 180-day period and the restrictions this places on servicing touring artists, and Logistics UK will continue to urge the UK government and EU to be ambitious in this ongoing reset of relations and in the upcoming Review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
“As always, our industry stands ready to provide real-world advice and expertise to governments on both sides of the Channel to ease the passage of goods to the end user.”
The Cold Chain Federation (CCF) also reacted positively to the EU/UK agreement, calling it a “good first step”.
Phil Pluck, CCF chief executive commented: said “A relaxation of veterinary certification is a very welcome move for the cold chain sector and for food producers.
“If this transition is handled efficiently, then it bodes well for a journey back to common borders on food movement. For forty years food movement across the channel between the UK and mainland EU has been efficient, cost effective and safe.
“The current arrangements have not improved food safety but have created a massive administrative and cost increase. This seems like a good first step towards a more pragmatic and shared food movement protocol.”
Steve Parker, director general of The British International Freight Association (BIFA) , said its members, along with the importers and exporters they serve “will be breathing a sigh of relief following practical commitments to improve regulatory cooperation.”
He added: “Freight forwarding and logistics businesses, which manage a significant proportion of the UK’s visible supply chains with the EU, will be especially pleased with the announcements of cooperation on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which should cut costs, complexities and delays that disrupt trade flows.
“Simplifying border processes for businesses in Northern Ireland and supporting island of Ireland supply chains will also be welcomed and should facilitate smoother trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
“We hope that the announcement will significantly simplify border processes and consequently contribute to increased volumes of goods traded between the UK and the EU
“It is now down to government to work out the most practical solutions and BIFA is ready to support any effort to achieve that.
Parker also welcomed the announcement of closer cooperation on the Emission Trading Systems, but called on the government to ensure the most practical reporting solution is adopted in the UK.
Concluding, Parker said: “The outcome of today’s Summit marks a leap forward in the EU-UK’s trading relationship, after the turbulence of the last decade.
“With the EU as the UK’s largest trading partner, BIFA members will not want the work to stop here. We need to make the most of this opportunity by recognising that there has been a reset of the country’s trading relationship with the EU, and trying to future proof it.”
The Port of Dover praised the agreement as a “significant and positive step forward in resetting and strengthening our vital cross-Channel economic relationship.”
In a statement the Port of Dover said: “We particularly welcome commitments to simplifying trading and travel arrangements and removing barriers such as Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on animal and plant products, which we hope to see implemented as quickly as possible.
It added: “An improvement in border processes will not only restore confidence for businesses and investors but also drive economic growth and supply chain resilience, and we are pleased to see these objectives recognised in today’s agreement.
“Looking ahead, we are committed to working with the UK Government, French Government and European Commission to implement this deal effectively and maximise shared prosperity either side of the Channel.
“Today’s announcement marks a fresh chapter in UK-EU collaboration, and the Port of Dover stands ready to deliver the full potential of this renewed partnership for the benefit of communities, businesses, and economies on both sides of the Channel.”
