If Brexit Rules Change, M&S Warns Of Additional Food Delivery Concerns.
Key Sentence:
- Marks & Spencer has warned of several problems with UK food imports if Brexit rules change next month.
A letter Brexit Rules to suppliers said British and EU authorities were unwilling to produce the new documentation needed next month. When the grace period for import controls expires. In some EU countries, offices are not open on weekends, which will cause “significant disruption” in imports.
Supply chains in the UK have come under pressure from shortages of truckers and other staff. The new rules require truck drivers who import goods to require around 700 pages of documents.
In a letter to suppliers initially reported by the Times, M&S outlined a range of issue.
Including a lack of veterinarians for essential inspections, government unpreparedness – in some cases, regulations were not translated into local languages . At the same time, some authorities “seemed not to know what to do” needed.”
It also said that suppliers had raised concerns that in some EU countries. Employees who issue export health certificates. Which are required to trade in animal products – only work during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Since “the modern food system Brexit Rules relies on food imports seven days a week. This work model will cause significant disruption to these import plans and exacerbate the shortage of truck drivers. According to M&S, the EU market accounts for more than 25% of all UK food imports, adding. If we don’t see a healthier approach to compliance, it will hurt all actors.”
Even though EU member states import into the UK, this issue will significantly impact the movement of goods from the UK to Northern Ireland. Currently, supermarkets shipping products from the UK to Northern Ireland are only faced with one-touch controls. As part of a so-called ‘grace period’ that has slowed down some of the new post-Brexit processes.
The Northern Ireland Protocol helps circumvent controls on the Irish island’s internal borders.
M&S said, “If things are not simplified, there is a ‘real risk that the EU-UK border will be shortened and delayed, resulting in significant food wastage across sectors, reduced reach and availability, and inflationary pressures. M&S warned in July that it had cut Christmas products in Northern Ireland amid concerns about impending post-Brexit customs controls.