The British opposition is warning of new problems in trade with the EU given the imminent introduction of Brexit controls.
In a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, quoted in the Financial Times newspaper, Labor leader Nick Thomas-Symonds wrote that from January 31 there would be queues at ports, delays in imports and a rise in inflation, especially in food prices . The government must ensure that businesses and consumers are prepared for change and take urgent action to minimize disruption to supply chains.
Demand for negotiations
After several postponements, Great Britain now also wants to introduce import controls for animal and plant products from the EU on January 31st. Companies then have to enter their customs declarations in advance and declare agricultural and food exports to Great Britain. Experts warn of additional bureaucratic effort and time delays.
Great Britain left the EU at the end of January 2020. Since January 1, 2021, the country is no longer a member of the EU Customs Union or the internal market. This led to considerable delays in trading, especially at the beginning. On the EU side, imports from Great Britain have been checked for three years.
“It is crucial to minimize the friction and disruption caused by the measures you have committed to introducing,” wrote Labor politician Thomas-Symonds. He called for negotiations on a sanitary and phytosanitary agreement with the EU to reduce trade barriers.
Ireland is also calling on companies
The British government defended the introduction of controls. They will ensure the “most advanced border in the world”. Thanks to modern technology, trading is simplified. “The changes we are introducing will help keep the UK safe while protecting our food supply chains and agricultural sector from diseases that would cause significant economic damage,” it said in London.
EU member Ireland also called on companies to prepare for changes. “The UK continues to be an important market for Irish exports, so the smooth transition to these new UK requirements will be very important for us,” warned Foreign Minister Micheal Martin.
More than a third of Irish exports go to the UK, the largest market for Irish food, drink and horticultural products. Irish authorities have prepared contingency plans to manage traffic in case trucks arrive at Dublin port without the necessary documents.
