RHA responds to UK-EU summit

RHA responds to UK-EU Summit

Today’s announcement of a new Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area is welcome news for the freight sector, making food imports and exports easier by reducing the cost and delays faced by businesses moving goods cross-border.

This change will see the removal of certain checks on food and drink exports, including GB-NI, in both directions without the certificates or controls that are currently required which have reduced trade flows and freight movements. For businesses in Northern Ireland, today's announcement should facilitate smoother trade between Great Britain and NI. We will be engaging with businesses across the country in the coming weeks to understand the full impact.

However, our concerns over the operation of Windsor Framework regulations, and the lack of clarity and real-time communication remain. We urge Ministers to recognise the significant ongoing impact on the Northern Ireland supply chain.

Whilst the EU remains our largest trading partner, in recent years we have seen a significant drop in exports, which has negatively affected economic growth. Less red tape and smoother, simpler border checks will hopefully address some of this drop in trade, although concerns remain about the number of drivers who can transport these goods. British international hauliers and coach operators working in Europe are currently restricted in their operations by the 90/180-day rule and we welcome further UK-EU talks on this issue.

We await further details on today’s commitments, and we will continue to keep a watching brief in the coming weeks and months.