BRC wants clarity on steps listed in Brexit white paper

26 Jul '18

2 min read

While welcoming the progress made on tariffs and the proposed Free Trade Area to eliminate the need for most border controls and delays as mentioned in the Brexit White Paper released recently, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has demanded further clarity on what a phased system would look like in practice and on how a backstop arrangement would work.

"The British Retail Consortium has made it clear that a frictionless customs system is vital for retail businesses so it is encouraging to have seen some progress within the white paper, but the retail industry still needs clarity on how this will be facilitated," said BRC CEO Helen Dickinson in a statement.

"A functioning frictionless customs arrangement is essential to ensure our fragile food supply chains are maintained and we welcome the proposal of a Free Trade Area which would eliminate the need for most border controls and delays at the border. However, industry needs further clarity as to how the proposed tracking system would work in practice and an understanding of the costs involved and who would bear these," she said.

As around 170,000 European Union nationals are employed in retail in the United Kingdom in various roles, a mobility framework which allows retailers access to European employment markets is essential if the industry is to access the numbers of employees it needs, she added. (DS)

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