Road Haulage Association director of policy and public affairs Rod McKenzie who was in Downing Street for the announcement said: “Ministers said the plans would mean the ‘free-est and most frictionless possible trade’ with Europe. This could include a ‘temporary customs union’ after Brexit to prevent border problems.”
Since the UK voted to leave the EU in June 2016, the RHA has consistently argued for frictionless borders post-Brexit and has been calling for a deal that allows free and unfettered movement of goods across EU member states after March 2019.
“We’ve been desperately worried about the UK’s supply chain being disrupted by Brexit,” Rod McKenzie continued. “Today’s news is encouraging but we will carefully follow the detail to ensure we get the best possible customs arrangements for the UK haulage industry.”
“If we don’t get this right, people will see empty supermarket shelves and huge traffic jams around the ports. The ideal scenario for us would be a transitional arrangement that looks and feels the same as the customs arrangements we have now and we are looking to ministers to deliver that in the forthcoming negotiations.“
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