Logistics UK has reacted with optimism to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) reached between the UK and European Union (EU), but cautions there is still much to be done to protect the nation’s supply chains and the economy as a whole.
The FTA was inked on Christmas Eve (2020) and secures what many in industry have urged – namely zero tariffs and no quotas as the UK leaves the EU Customs Union and Single Market.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
“A deal is great news for the UK economy since it removes the risk of tariffs being placed on almost every item imported from the EU, which would have raised prices and slowed the rate of economic growth,” said said FTA policy director, Elizabeth de Jong.
“We are still absorbing all the details, but it looks as though HGVs will continue to have access to the EU market and aircraft will still be permitted to fly to and from the EU, which safeguards the UK’s highly interconnected supply chains and protects the jobs of those charged with keeping the country stocked with the goods it needs.
“Meanwhile, Logistics UK is urging traders to continue to get ready for new trading conditions as they were before, as the new trading relationship will still require many of the same preparations, not least the introduction of customs declarations and additional checks on food and livestock. Logistics UK is advising traders not leave paperwork to the last minute, or ignore it, as this will cause delays to journeys.”
Logistics UK (formerly FTA), represents logistics businesses and more than 7m people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods.
