No-deal Brexit is becoming more and more realistic. Shortly before the Christmas break, the European Commission showed the plans for the transport industry in case there is no agreement. According to proposals, UK and EU operators will be allowed to maintain the movement of goods between the UK and other EU member states until the end of December 2019.
Although the proposals are not final yet, they would greatly facilitate the movement of goods for a limited amount of time, allowing both sides to prepare for more strict measures. The EU is now waiting for the UK government to reciprocate the proposal.
This is welcome news as it will reduce the need for ECMT permits in 2019. However, the proposal is conditional on the UK reciprocating,” said Road Haulage Association chief executive, Richard Burnett.
According to the Road Haulage Association (RHA) press release, the Commission has ruled out allowing cabotage in the EU and the cross-trade will not be allowed. Transit movements are not referenced at all.
This is a logical and practical proposal by the Commission. However, the proposal contains several restrictions. It is time limited and the Commission has said it retains the right to cancel at any time,” added Burnett.
Transit is vital as it would, if agreed, allow UK movements to non-EU states without restriction and it would allow EU lorries to move freely between Ireland and the rest of the EU.
RHA advises that international members who are in the process of making ECMT applications should continue to do so because the proposal is not law yet and there is no certainty it will apply.
Photo: Wikimedia.org By Ad Meskens CC BY-SA 4.0