New plans for post-Brexit border controls on goods coming into the UK will deter many EU suppliers and increase the cost of food, according to a trade organisation.
The government argues that its proposals will prevent delays by reducing the need for physical assessments of many items. However, the Cold Chain Consortium declared its “deep concern” about the complex paperwork and expenses involved in exporters. However, the Cabinet Office sees this as “a huge leap forward for the safety, security and efficiency of our borders”.
The plans, which have been delayed several times, are designed to deliver the tests that the UK is committed to undertaking under the Brexit deal with the European Union. Draft proposals put forward by the government include: Testing of plant and animal items to protect against diseases such as African swine fever and Xylella Assessments carried out away from ports to keep away from any sightings such as those seen in Dover last weekend A single trade window enabling traders to submit Details about commodities and a trusted merchant program for permanent importers, as well as sanitary certificates for plant and animal products from the European Union by October 31.
Shane Brennan, chief executive of the Cold Chain Consortium, told the BBC’s Today program that the government had not delivered on its promise of a framework to “fundamentally redesign and rethink it”. According to Brennan, exporters of products such as Parma ham and buffalo mozzarella would have to contend with more complex rules, hiring a local vet, paying up to €700 for filling out forms, hiring a specialist hauler, paying a customs agent and facing British inspection fees of up to 42 pounds. He claims that a significant number of these issuers will likely choose not to go through the paperwork.
Mr Brennan went on to say that even if the draft proposals get the green light, there will still be a short-term disruption to the UK that cannot be avoided.
Marco Forgioni, Director General of the Institute of Export and International Trade, emphasized that it is crucial that small businesses are aware of the procedures, possess the necessary skills and help manage the new system. One of the European food providers the institute works with told them they expected to save up to £30m a year through a digital-first approach.
Baroness Neville Rolfe indicated that their plans strike a balance between providing businesses and customers with assurance while reducing the cost and friction for businesses that should lead to growth in the economy. However, the Liberal Democrats believe that the new system will “make trade between the UK and Europe more difficult”.
Sarah Olney, the Lib Dems’ representative for the Treasury, asserts that the government’s statement that these plans will ease trade disruption is entirely disingenuous.
The government will engage in a six-week consultation period with companies before publishing the final form of commercial checks before the end of the year.
According to the Cold Chain Consortium, proposed new border control measures for goods arriving in the UK post-Brexit could discourage many EU suppliers and send food prices higher. The government stated that its plans would reduce requirements for physical checks for a wide variety of goods, however, the union was apprehensive about the complex paperwork and the cost to exporters. The Cabinet Office noted that the changes would result in “tremendous progress for the safety, security and efficiency of our borders”.
As stipulated in Britain’s Brexit deal with the European Union, the government’s draft plan includes tests for animal and plant products to ward off diseases such as African swine fever and Xylella, as well as inspections at ports other than Dover to prevent this type of event from occurring. It happened last weekend. You will also create a digital system where merchants can provide data on merchandise in a ‘single trading window’, offering a trusted merchant scheme to regular importers. In addition, EU sanitary certificates for animal and plant products will be necessary by the end of October.
Shane Brennan, chief executive of the Cold Chain Consortium, expressed his displeasure with the government’s proposal in an interview with the BBC’s Today programme. He noted that the plans did not match the terms of the “redesign and rethink” they had promised. Brennan also suggested that due to the complexity of the process, as well as the extra costs for customs agents and inspection fees, many suppliers would forgo exports. He stressed that this would have serious repercussions for the United Kingdom.
Marco Forgioni, director general of the Institute for Export and International Trade, said small businesses should be educated and supported by the new changes, but praised the “true digital” plans and said one European food supplier told the institute it could cut costs by £30m a year by using digital system.
Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville Rolfe spoke of the proposal’s potential to “give consumers and businesses confidence while reducing costs and friction for businesses, which in turn will help grow the economy.” Despite the government’s stance, the Liberal Democrats insisted that the plans would make trade between us and Europe more difficult. Lib Deem Treasury spokeswoman Sarah Olney called claims that the changes would prevent trade chaos “completely dishonest.”
Ultimately, the government will hold a six-week consultation period with the companies, after which it will publish a final form of business checks.
New plans to introduce post-Brexit border checks for goods entering the UK will have a significant impact on EU suppliers and lead to an increase in food prices, according to a trade body.
The government suggested its proposals could prevent delays by reducing the need for physical checks for most items.
However, the Cold Chain Consortium has expressed “deep concern” over the extensive paperwork and fees associated with the exporters.
In response, the Cabinet Office maintains that its strategies will ensure the security, safety and effectiveness of our borders.
The proposals, which have been delayed on several occasions, aim to enforce the UK-EU trade agreement.
Among the regulations published by the government, there will be tests on animal and plant products to prevent certain diseases; Checks were made outside the ports to keep away from the sights in Dover last week; a single trade window system that will simplify customs and regulatory procedures for traders; pilot program for regular importers; and sanitary certificates for animal and plant products from the European Union due by October 31.
Shane Brennan, chief executive of the Cold Chain Consortium representing chilled food retailers, noted on the BBC’s Today programme, that the government had not delivered on promises about “radically redesigning and rethinking the system”.
Brennan went on to say: “Think if you’re a UK/EU food exporter of bacon or buffalo mozzarella. Starting in October, you should be familiar with the complex rules, get a local vet, and maybe spend 200-700 € to complete paperwork, identify a specialist carrier, recruit a customs broker and pay inspection costs up to £42.
“Inevitably, a number of exporters will refuse to do so, leading to a difficult rearrangement with long-term disruptions in the UK.”
Also in a BBC interview, Marco Forgioni of the Institute of Export and International Trade emphasized the importance of smaller companies having the competence, awareness and help to adapt to new regulations.
Although Forgioni has been supportive of the digital model, he states that one European food supplier that his organization is collaborating with has suggested that the digital approach would reduce their expenses by up to £30m each year.
Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville Rolfe explained that the strategy finds a balance between providing assurance for consumers and businesses and reducing expenses and complexities for organisations, which can contribute to economic growth.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats declared that the model would “make trade between the UK and the EU more difficult” and accused the government of being “utterly dishonest” with their assurances that the plans would avoid chaos.
The government will continue six weeks of discussions with companies before announcing the final framework for assessing trade next year.
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