By Francis Ogwo
There is an impending hike in prices of food as new rules from Brexit have kept the logistics sector at the EU and UK borders in near comatose.
Reports revealed that there are disruptions in the delivery of goods despite trade deal between UK and EU.
The UK despite efforts at reaching a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU before the deadline, there are emerging problems resulting from the new deal which has dealt a great blow on the logistics industry.
Deliveries have faced huge delays from such bottlenecks.
Recall that after an 11-month transition period, the deal was brokered on new year eve with freedom of movement between the UK and the EU member states also ending as the clock stroke midnight in Brussels.
In theory the trade deal between the bloc and Britain is set to continue without interruption, but in practice things work a bit differently.
It was revealed that under the new rules,UK firms doing business with the EU face a lot of new bureaucracy, new paperwork, and checks.
The hurdles include customs declarations, rules of origin checks, product safety certificates, and food inspections are all part of new trading regime.
According to reports, all of these formalities, along with the current state of the pandemic have already caused considerable disruptions in trade across the English Channel.
On the 28th of December, the Cabinet Office minister, Michael Gove said, there will be “bumpy moments” until Britain gets used to its new relationship with the EU.
In his words: “We know that there will be some disruption as we adjust to new ways of doing business with the EU, so it is vital that we all take the necessary action now.”
Since the decision was clear, the logistics industry has known there would be some degree of changes and disruptions and maybe also some additional costs.
In the four years since the Brexit referendum, he added, the industry made all the preparations it could to safeguard economic activities.
With the current lockdown currently being observed in some parts of Europe and UK harsh and hard times await residents with the current state of affairs at the borders and impending Inflation.
