Logistics UK: increased European alignment will help drive trade

Logistics UK has welcomed the European Partnership Bill announced in the King’s Speech yesterday, which it says will put the logistics sector on the road towards easier trading relationships with the continent.

According to the government, the bill will facilitate the implementation of deals with the EU on electricity, emissions trading and food and drink. The food and drink agreement is set to simplify the process of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on imports and exports of food and agricultural products; earlier this year the government said it was expected to take effect in mid-2027.

The change has been widely anticipated by some international hauliers, as it aims to simplify the checks and ease associated problems for road transport operators, including excessive paperwork, increased costs and unnecessary delays brought about by Brexit.

According to government briefing notes: “The food and drink deal alone could add up to £5.1 billion a year to the economy (and up to £9 billion when combined with the emissions trading agreement), increase agricultural exports to the EU by 16 per cent and cut queue times for lorries at the border.”

Ben Fletcher, Logistics UK’s chief executive, said: “Our members are critical to every trading move between the UK and the EU, our closest trading partner, but have been hampered since the UK’s departure from the trading bloc by greater administrative red tape that has slowed processes and increased costs.

“Any delay at the border adds time and cost to every transaction – costs which impact the supply chain and, ultimately, the bottom line.

“We have been pressing government for some time to consider ways to make UK/EU trade simpler, so today’s announcement of a framework of powers to ease business between the UK and our largest trading market is very welcome.”

He continued: “We need goods to move smoothly and swiftly across borders without administrative delays, rather than becoming bogged down in processes which act as a roadblock to potential growth.

“This bill is a strong start to resetting trading relations with the EU, by addressing SPS and emissions trading and allowing for powers to be extended to new treaties with the EU in the future. With this in mind, to fully unlock growth and economic opportunities, we also calling for closer alignment on customs to be prioritised by government.”