The logistics sector is calling for reduced customs barriers
As the UK and EU prepare for their upcoming summit on 19 May, Logistics UK has urged the government to take bold steps in reducing post-Brexit border frictions to help unlock economic growth.
Nichola Mallon, Logistics UK’s Head of Trade and Devolved Policy, stressed that the current barriers to trade are hampering efficiency and increasing costs for logistics businesses — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“Our members, the businesses that move all the goods the country needs every day, are adamant the government must be ambitious when resetting relations with the EU and reviewing the existing UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement,” Ms Mallon said.
“The frictions that currently face traders – many of them caused by the need for inspections on exported and imported products of animal and plant origin – are slowing the movement of goods across the nation’s borders and into the UK’s supply chain.
"The EU is the UK’s biggest trading partner and, if the government is to realise its growth ambitions, reducing border friction with the EU is essential.”
She highlighted the growing burden of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks, which are required for the export and import of plant and animal products.
These checks are causing significant delays, increased bureaucracy, and added costs, with SMEs and groupage operators being particularly affected.
"Since the UK’s decision to leave the EU was announced, Logistics UK has been constant in calling for a comprehensive SPS Agreement between both economies to speed up the passage of goods into and out of the country, while protecting the UK’s biosecurity,” she added.
“A mutually agreed SPS agreement would ease many of the logistics industry’s concerns about delays and disruption, which impacts the goods that factories, shops and, ultimately, consumers all rely on."
In addition to SPS reforms, the logistics sector is calling for reduced customs barriers — including in areas such as Safety and Security Declarations — especially as both the UK and EU seek to enhance cooperation in security and defence.
Ms Mallon concluded: “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.”