Hauliers are critical to successful GB-NI trade

From 13 December, some small and medium-sized businesses in Great Britain will have to stop selling to customers in Northern Ireland as a result of new EU General Product Safety Rules (GSPR) apply to Northern Ireland (as NI follows a raft of EU single market rules and regulations.)

Commenting on this and on the criticality of hauliers to successful trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Richard Smith, RHA MD, said: "Hauliers are critical to successful trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland and a robust and efficient GB-NI supply chain is crucial to the overall UK economy.

"There remains concern in our sector about divergence and the hurdles businesses must go through to send a range of goods from GB to NI. Looking ahead, businesses seek reassurance and further clarifications around the impact of the next set of changes due to be rolled-out in March. 

"Earlier this year, we wrote to the NI secretary of State on behalf of the road transport sector to request a meeting to discuss these issues and to offer our recommendations. Today we repeat our ask. 

"We’ll continue to engage with decision-makers at all levels, both nationally in Westminster and at a devolved level in Stormont. We’re committed to finding durable solutions which will protect and maintain supply chains across the United Kingdom and minimise the impact of new and evolving regulations on both business and consumers."