British Irish Chamber welcomes UK Government announcement to delay import controls for EU goods
The British Irish Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the announcement by the UK Government that it will delay the introduction of import controls for EU goods entering Great Britain.
Speaking in the wake of the announcement, Paul Lynam, Director of Policy at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, said: “The announcement by the UK Government that it will delay the introduction of import controls for EU goods entering Great Britain is a welcome one.
“This pragmatic approach is necessary so that the UK Government can make the necessary preparations for full customs controls to ensure an orderly transition that does not unduly disrupt trade. This extension also allows businesses on both sides of the Irish Sea additional time to get ready for the new import restrictions and administrative barriers that they will soon come into force.
“The British Irish Chamber of Commerce encourages firms within the agri-food sector to use this extended grace period to prepare. New import controls on agri-food products will now enter force from the 1st of January with physical checks on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods at Border Control Posts due to occur from July 2022.
“The Chamber urges the European Commission and the UK Government to use this time to streamline customs processes to ensure greater efficiency in trade with a particular focus on the need to reduce the pre-notification time period and the urgent need to introduce electronic Export Health Certificates.”
For further information on the UK Government announcement, visit: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2021-09-14/hcws285.
