Britain’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) says it will ‘review carefully’ the UK government’s announcement it had secured a deal with the European Commission (EC) to leave the EU on 31 October.
UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and EC president, Jean-Claude Junker revealed a Brexit agreement had been struck yesterday (17 October) at a meeting in Brussels, although the FTA cautions the industry is still not ready for a no-deal possibility.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The British Parliament is to meet tomorrow in an exceptional sitting – the first on a Saturday since the Falklands War in 1982 – to vote on the deal although the body could still reject the terms of the UK’s exit.
“It hasn’t always been an easy experience for the UK,” said Johnson. “It has been long, it has been painful, it has been divisive and now is the moment for us as a country to come together.
“Now this is the moment for our parliamentarians to come together and get this thing done, and, as I say, to begin building a new and progressive partnership with our EU friends, with whom, of course, we share so many priorities.”
The FTA adds there is no time to prepare for a no-deal Brexit should that occur on 31 October, stressing its desire for the UK to quit with an agreement.
“FTA has been very consistent in wanting to Keep Britain Trading by making sure the logistics industry can deliver whatever political solution for Brexit prevails, with or without a deal,” said FTA deputy CEO, James Hookham. “It is clear there is not time now to prepare for a no-deal Brexit on October 31: there are many unanswered questions about how our borders should work and no time to implement the answers even if decisions could be reached on important policy issues.
“Therefore, at this stage, leaving with a deal and the accompanying transition period for answering important questions and being prepared for the changes, is far preferable to a no deal Brexit on 31 October.
“While there is still a chance of a no deal Brexit we urge government to continue to respond to the critical questions and issues raised by FTA in our Logistics Dashboard. With big questions unanswered, and no time to prepare, the logistics industry is not ready for a no-deal Brexit on 31 October and the impact on trade would likely be very significant.
“We will review the proposed deal carefully and seek any clarifications and changes required by the logistics industry to deliver a successful Brexit.”
