Less than 20% of Northern Irish businesses involved in retail, food & drink, and manufacturing feel prepared for the end of the Brexit transition period in less than four weeks’ time, a new survey has warned.
As part of the Northern Ireland protocol, new border arrangements for goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be introduced on 1 January regardless of the outcome of trade talks.
A lack of clear information and guidance from the UK government on how Northern Ireland will trade with Great Britain from next year was cited as the main reason they wouldn’t be ready on time, concluded the survey of more than 250 businesses conducted by the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group (NIBBWG).
The group of Northern Ireland trade bodies is now calling on the government to secure a one-year implementation period with the EU to allow businesses time to adjust to the new customs rules.
“This adjustment period must be used wisely to find proper solutions to make trade sustainable rather than just creating another cliff edge,” said a NIBBWG spokesman, though there are reportedly doubts among negotiators that this is realistic.
Almost nine in 10 respondents were aware of government’s Trader Support Service, a £200m customs system designed to help businesses export goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. However, the system would not process export health certificates and was often unable to answer users questions, the survey said.
The concerns come after the Northern Ireland Meat Exporters Association wrote to Michael Gove last week demanding more time to adjust to the changes. “With less than one month until the deadline, government cannot expect our meat industry to be ready for the change while it continues to amend policy, write legislation, draft guidance, develop systems and negotiate with the EU.”
It said the the lack of information was “alarming, and government officials accept as much”.
A government spokesman told The Grocer last week that “further measures to support agrifood traders will be announced shortly”.
“We are working to resolve all outstanding issues for supermarkets and other traders through the Joint Committee, where we have agreed an intensified process of engagement with the EU.”
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